Kashmir is not just a place; it is an emotion that every soul wants to experience. The dreamlike beauty of Kashmir has inspired many authors, poets, and philosophers. Many have tried to capture the serenity of Kashmir in words, but it is beyond description. ‘Gar Firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, Hami asto, hamin asto, hamin ast’- Amir Khusro has described Kashmir in the best possible way. If there is heaven on earth, it is in Kashmir! Some places are to be explored, some to be traveled, some to live, but Kashmir is to be felt. Its bewitching beauty and allure will remain in one’s memories forever. To get the best of it, we have a list of places to visit in Kashmir, things to do, and the famous food of Kashmir, along with a few fun facts.
Must Visit places in Kashmir
Srinagar- The biggest city of Kashmir and the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar is one of the best places to visit in Kashmir. Srinagar is known for houseboats and vibrant shikaras floating on picture-perfect Dal Lake. Srinagar is the soul of Kashmir valley and a must-visit place once in a lifetime.
Dal Lake, tulip garden, Hari Parbat fort, Jama Masjid, Pari mahal, Chinar Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Shankaracharya mandir, Rozabal, first row houseboats, and Sri Sharika Temple are few of the major tourist attractions in Srinagar.
Gulmarg- The tiny paradise nestled in Kashmir Valley, Gulmarg is one of the romantic places to visit in Kashmir. Named “Meadows of flowers,” it allows you to soak and unwind in the mesmerizing views of vibrant flora spread across magnificent snow-capped mountains. Gulmarg is a famous skiing destination in India and shines bright in winter.
Gulmarg Biosphere reserve, strawberry valley, St. Mary’s Church, Ferozepur Nallah, Seven Springs, Apharwat Peak, Ningle Nallah, Gulmarg golf course, Alpather Lake, and Maharani temple are few of the famous tourist places in Gulmarg.
Sonamarg- Nestled at the bank of the Sindh River, Songmarg is famous for majestic glaciers, snow-clad fields, and serene lakes. The town is located 70 km from Srinagar Airport and is the connecting point of various Himalayan peaks such as Amarnath peak, SirPeakpeak, Kolhoi Peak, and more. Once Sonmarg was the gateway to Silk Route that connected Kashmir to China.
Sonmarg serves as a base camp for trekkers heading to Ladakh. Zoji-La Pass, Nilagrad River, Thajiwas Glacier, Vishansar lake, Krishnasar lake, Gangabal Trek, Gadsar lake, and Baltal Valley are the places near Sonmarg that you must visit.
Pahalgam- Beautiful vistas of enchanted Pahalgam will make you fall in love with its at first sight. 95kilometers from Srinagar, Pahalgam is surely a paradise on earth. It is well-known as the “valley of shepherds” and is among the most magnificent places to visit in Kashmir. Pahalgam is a place for adventure lovers, offering tonnes of sports such as zorbing, skiing, hill climbing, etc.
Sheshnag Lake, Baisaran Hills, Betab Valley, Pahalgam Golf Course, Aru Valley, Tulian Lake, Lidder Amusement Park, Kolahoi Glacier, Chandanwari, and Mamal Temple are few of the places in Pahalgam to visit.
Betaab Valley- It is one of the places to visit in Kashmir, which got its name from the Bollywood hit Betaab after it became the backdrop of the movie in 1983. Formerly known as Hagan Valley, this place will connect you with nature and serenity. Betaab valley is a famous place among couples looking to spend some romantic time in Kashmir, away from crowded places.
Yusmarg- Away from the chaotic world of modernity and hidden in the valley of Kashmir, Yusmarg is one of the to visit offbeat places in Kashmir. This enchanting meadow is home to the Doodh Ganga river, which will compel you to stay here forever. Grassy fields, snow-capped peaks, apple orchards, deep forests, and Sufi shrines will give you once in lifetime experiences and memories.
Things To Do in Kashmir
Kashmir offers plenty of things to do that will bring you once in a lifetime experience. Below is the list of things to do on your Kashmir vacation tour-
Shikara Ride- Just sit back and enjoy the view of the majestic lake as your ferryman takes you across the lake. A shikara ride is first on the list of the best things to do in Kashmir. Away from the chaos of city life, the sound of water, breeze, and landscaping views, the shikhara ride will be a unique thing to experience.
Houseboat Stay- Not just a shikara ride, but a stay in a houseboat in Dal Lake is one of the unique things to do in Kashmir. Whether you are going on a family vacation, honeymoon, or with friends, spend a night on a houseboat in Srinagar because it is something you simply cannot miss.
Gondola Cable Car Ride- One of the fun and exciting things to do in Kashmir is taking a Gondola cable car ride. This one is fun for all ages. There are 03 phases of the rideGulmarg to Kongdoori, Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak, and Kongdoori to Mary Shoulder. To enjoy the best view of the snow-clad mountains, people prefer cable car rides.
Shopping, Pony ride excursions, old Srinagar heritage walk, wildlife tours, Gulmarg golf course, walk through tulip garden, and adventure sports are a few things you must do on a Kashmir vacation tour.
Fun facts about Kashmir-
- The founder of Srinagar was Emperor Ashoka, not the Mughals.
- The cultural heritage of Kashmir flourished with Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism contribution.
- The Banihal railway tunnel or Pir Panjal railway tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in the country and the fourth longest railway tunnel in Asia
. ● The only significant Himalayan River flowing through the Kashmir valley is the river Jhelum.
- In 1800, Pandit Naraindas introduced houseboats in Kashmir to house English visitors.
- Gulmarg, one of the places to visit in Kashmir and a skiing destination in India, was known as Gaurimarg to honor Goddess Parvati.
- Kashmir is the third largest producer of Saffron in the world and the largest in India.
- Kashmir is the only place in India where people have dual citizenship; of India and Kashmir.
- The shikhara or houseboat stay is one of the unique experiences in the world. They are highly recommended and generally comes with Kashmir tour packages.
Famous food in Kashmir
As we hear someone say Kashmir, mesmerizing landscapes crosses our mind. But Kashmiri cuisine equally deserves appreciation, just like places to visit in Kashmir. We have a list of the famous food in Kashmir to begin your Kashmiri culinary journey.
- Mutton Rogan Josh
- Paneer Chaman
- Kashmiri Rajma
- Kahwa (Kashmiri Chai)
- Nadru Yakhni
- Kashmiri Saag
- Goshtaba
- Chicken Pulao
- Dum Olav
- Kashmiri Muji Gaad
- Lyodur Tschaman
- Yakhni Lamb Curry
- Kashmiri Baingan
- Sheermal
- Kashmiri Pulao
- Tabak Maaz
- Nadir Monji
- Tehar
Whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian, a wide range of Kashmiri cuisine has something for everyone. Traveling to Kashmir and not binging on traditional cuisine would be an injustice.
In order to make your travel safe, affordable and comfortable, we recommend you to use zingbus – bus ticket booking for the best travel experience.
