Dal lake is the most famous lake amongst all the lakes of kashmir Valley, where a large number of houseboats can be seen along with floating shikaras.
Dargah hazratbal shrine is located near the Famous Dal lake. It takes around 11 years to complete its famous mosque.
It is located on the top of Zabarwan Hill at a height of 1,000 feet above the valley floor.
A garden of bliss, a garden of joy, a garden of delight, whatever one chooses to call it, Nishat Bagh in Srinagar is exceptionally beautiful in every sense of the word. If one looks back in the pages of history, the Mughal era is likely to feel the most dominating one in Kashmir. After dethroning the mightiest of kings, these rulers of Persia set their foot in Kashmir in the 16th century. It was the sheer beauty of the valley that enticed them to conquer and rule. The glory days came with Jahangir, who was an avid art lover and who developed an undaunted love for Kashmir. He set the pace for the construction of some of the most splendid attractions in Kashmir, and that includes Nishat Bagh as well.
Another enchanting creation, built under the eyes of the Mughal emperor Jahangir and this time built entirely by him, Shalimar Bagh is amongst the finest gardens in Kashmir, which were ever built by this Muslim dynasty. But before moving on to its description, its history must be given due attention. In the second century, King Pravarsena II founded the city of Srinagar. During his reign, he built a cottage for himself on the banks of Dal Lake, which he named as Shalimar. But one thing that remained the same was its name, Shalimar. This name got carried forward in the coming centuries, and in the 16th century, when Jahangir came to this place; he built a royal garden on the sight of it, and named it Shalimar Bagh. In order to please his queen, the emperor built this royal garden and today, in the 21st century, it is the pride of Kashmir valley.
Built by the Ali Mardan Khan in 1632, during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Chasma Shahi is amongst the major tourist attractions in Kashmir. This garden was commissioned by then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his eldest and favorite son Dara Sikoh. Shah Jahan had it built on the slopes of the Zabarwan Mountains, around a natural spring. And the garden retains this spring, even in its present form. This natural spring sprouts from the first terrace of the garden, which further makes its way to the second and third terrace. As water from the first terrace pours into the second level, it meets a large pool, which has a fountain situated in the center of it. Some also believe that the water of this natural spring has medicinal properties.
The family legacy of building architectural wonders continued after Shah Jahan as well. This time it was the son, who contributed in the Mughal art form. The eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, Prince Dara Shikoh built Pari Mahal in Kashmir in the year 1650 AD. Pari Mahal Garden sits on top of Zabarwan Mountain range in Kashmir, quite close to the Dal Lake. Built as per the guidelines of Persian architecture and Char Bagh concept, the garden, which is built around the Pari Mahal is segmented into seven terraces and has no water fountains like the other Mughal gardens in Kashmir. The reason it was named as Pari Mahal, which means the fairies adobe, was the structure, which looks like an enchanting fairytale castle.It is located on the top of Shankaraacharya Hill at a height of 1,000 feet above the valley floor.
Snuggled on the banks of Dal Lake, Indira Gandhi is full of colorful Tulip flowers in the month of May & June. This is one of the most beautiful and exotic gardens in Srinagar where one can experience unavoidable beauty. A walk amidst endless rows of blooming Tulips will offer you an amazing feeling. This man-made garden is a sight to behold by everyone who visits Kashmir. In fact, your vacations are incomplete without visiting India Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar. There are several other flowers as well except tulips including Roses, Muscaria, Iris, Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Ranunculi etc. that add extra glory to the place.
The lake is a good place for birdwatching as it is one of the largest natural stamping grounds of Aquatic birds in Kashmir and has the sobriquet of "supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes".
Doodhpathri is known as the valley of milk is one of the best hill station of kashmir valley. It is located in the budgam district of jammu and kashmir which is about 42 kms away from Srinagar city. Doodhpathri is rich in the production of huge quantity of milk and thus the name has been given to the place. Doodhpathri is unknown to the most of tourists, as usually the tourists visit pahalgam, sonamarg and gulmarg. Doodhpathri is very beautiful place better to visit doodhpathri and feel the love of nature.
pahalgam is known as the valley of shepherds. It is the one of the popular destination of kashmir valley pahalgam is much wide area and is the best known summer destination of kashmir valley, that during summers, huge flow of the tourists and locals can be seen. pahalgam is famous for its river lidder flows from the Kolahoi glacier this flows throughout the valley of pahalgam, beyond 12 to 15 kms away from pahalgam there are some beautiful places, Aru valley. Betaab valley, Chandawari, Baisaran, which adds the beauty to pahalgam. Pahalgam is located around 95 kms away from Srinagar. The best time to visit pahalgam is from March to September. The Amarnath yatra also took place via pahalgam route in the month of July to August. Besides Rafting take place at some points of Pahalgam. Pahalgam is famous for its beauty where everyone should visit and feel the difference.
Sonamarg (the Meadows of gold) is known as the gateway of ladakh sonamarg is a famous hill station of kashmir valley which is located about 80 kms away from the srinagar., the capital city. The famous trips of sonamarg are, Thajwas, Glacier, Zero Point, Fish point, Zojilla pass, and Baltal Sonamarg is mostly covered with snow and the snow starts melting after the month of March.
Best time to visit sonamarg is the summer time from may to August, when you can see the real beaty of nature
Thajiw-as Glacier It's located about 2.5 kms away from Sonamarg and takes some minutes via trekking or through ponies. Thajwas Glacier creates a breathtaking site and people enjoy sledding rides over it.
Zojila Pass It is the among the most dangerous passes among the kashmir valley which remains closed from December to April due to heavy snowfall.
BaltalBaltal is located about 15 kms away from sonamarg where through the pilgrims pass to visit the Amarnath cave.
Situated at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination located in Pir Panjal Range of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Surrounded by snow-covered lofty Himalayas, meadows of flowers, deep ravines, evergreen forested valleys, Gulmarg also has the world's second-highest Gondola ride. Gulmarg(The Meadows of kashmir valley of flowers) is a famous hill station. Enclosing the beautiful Himalayan mountains that are fully with snow throughout the winter. And the pine forest, gulmarg is the best winter destination as during winter many winter activities like sking, skatting sledging, snow scotter riding took place. Besides, the main attraction of gulmarg is gondola cable car ride. (One of the Asia's largest and higher cable car ride which includes 2 phases. Phase 1 & phase 2. Phase 1 covers half mountain upto kongdoori where as phase 2 covers full mountain I.e; from kongdoori to affarwat peak, and phase 2 usually has snow throughout the year and there the temperature goes in minus during winters.
