Sightseeing in Kashmir
Top 6 Places to Visit in Kashmir on Srinagar Side
01 Gulmarg
Gulmarg ("Meadow of Flowers") is India's version of a ski resort. If you're not into skiing, you may still want to let the gondola whisk you more than 12,000 feet up Mount Apharwat for outstanding views. Apparently, it's the world's highest cable car/aerial tramway. Ubiquitous pony rides are available in Gulmarg as well, and their owners are also aggressive in pestering tourists for business. If you feel like splashing some cash, treat yourself to a couple of nights at the Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa, one of the top Himalayan Spa Resorts.
Location: About 2 hours west of Srinagar.
Travel Tips: The ski season runs from mid-December to mid-March. The gondola is very popular, so do buy your tickets online to avoid long queues. Unfortunately, you'll still have to wait to board it though.
02 Sonamarg
Scenic Sonamarg ("Meadow of Gold") is famous for its Thajiwas Glacier. What's remarkable about this glacier is how accessible it is. From the highway, you can hike up to the glacier and back in about five hours. If you don't have so much time to spare, it's possible to ride a pony instead or take a shared taxi part of the way there. Scenes of many Bollywood movies have been filmed in the area, and you won't have to try very hard to feel like you're in one! There are a number of options for eating and staying at Sonamarg. Ahsan Mount Resort has Swiss tents for glamping. Hotel Snowland is conveniently positioned but could be managed better.
Location: On the Srinagar-Ladakh Highway, 2.5 hours northeast of Srinagar.
Travel Tips: Be aware of aggressive local touts, pony owners, and taxi drivers who try to exploit tourists. They quote really high prices, especially during peak season. Do bargain hard. The Tourist Reception Center opposite the main market in Sonamarg is the best place to get information and approved taxi rates. Visit from mid-April to June if you want to go there for the snow.
03 Yousmarg and Charar-i-Sharief
Yousmarg is a sprawling meadow that's refreshingly underdeveloped (only a couple of restaurants are there). The highlight is the Doodh Ganga River, which is reached by a picturesque 30-minute walk along a forested trail down a hill. Alternatively, it's possible to take a pony. (Don't give into the insistent pony owners if you want to walk). On the way to Yousmarg, you'll pass numerous apple trees, as well the town of Charar-i-Sharief. It's worth stopping there as it's home to one of the holiest Sufi Muslim shrines in India, and some of the biggest halwa parathas you'll ever see!
Location: 2 hours southwest of Srinagar.
Travel Tips: If you spot anyone selling apples on the roadside, get some as they're delicious!
04 Pahalgam
Pahalgam ("Valley of Shepherds) is a popular destination for trekking and adventure tourism. Visitors commonly head to Betaab Valley (the Bollywood movie "Betaab" was shot there), with its fresh flowing Lidder River and surrounding snow-capped hills. However, do note that you'll only be allowed to take your vehicle up to a certain point to reach the Valley. After that, you'll need to hire a prepaid vehicle provided by the local transport association or walk. Entrance to the Valley is regulated and costs 10 rupees. Other possible activities around Pahalgam include golfing, trout fishing, and river rafting.
Location: About 3 hours east of Srinagar.
Travel Tips: It's near the departure point for pilgrims going on the Amarnath Yatra, so avoid visiting during July as it will be very busy then.
05 Sinthan Top
To get away from the crowds, head to Sinthan Top. This mountain pass is situated 12,000 feet above sea level in south Kashmir's Breng Valley. Interest in it has grown since the opening of the Anantnag-Kokernag-Kishtwar National Highway H1B, connecting Kashmir with Jammu. It's yet to be developed though, so there's an absence of facilities for tourists. If you want to stay in the area, there are various options for accommodations at Daksum or Kokernag. They're excellent places to go trekking and exploring the great outdoors. A nature trail leads all the way up from Daksum to Sinthan Top.
Location: About 3.5 hours southeast of Srinagar and 2.5 hours south of Pahalgam.
Travel Tips: Stop at Daksum, downhill, where there are tourist facilities. The road from Daksum to Sinthan Top has many sharp curves, which may be an issue for people who get car sick.
06 Patni Top
Patnitop, in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, has risen to prominence as an adventure travel destination and is a convenient place to stay if driving south to Jammu city. Mass tourism has spoiled the peace there though. The new, award-winning Skyview Patnitop rope way/aerial tramway project opened in mid 2019 and runs from Sanget up to Patnitop, about 6,600 feet above sea level. Other attractions that are part of the Skyview project at Patnitop include Asia’s longest zig-zag zipline, India’s first magic carpet, and a tubing sledge.
Location: About 6 hours south of Srinagar, on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 44.
Travel Tips: Patnitop is commonly combined with a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi temple near Katra in Jammu. You can fly out from Satwari Airport in Jammu city, 3-4 hours from Patnitop.
07 Mughal garden, Srinagar
Shalimar Bagh is a Mughal garden in Srinagar, linked through a channel to the northeast of Dal Lake. It also known as Shalimar Gardens, Farah Baksh, and Faiz Baksh. The other famous shoreline garden in the vicinity is Nishat Bagh, 'The Garden of Delight'. The Bagh was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan, in 1619. The Bagh is considered the high point of Mughal horticulture. It is now a public park and also referred to as the "Crown of Srinagar".
08 Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar
The Hazratbal Shrine (lit. "Majestic Place") is a Muslim shrine in Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It contains a relic, the Moi-e-Muqqadas, believed by many Muslims of Kashmir to be Muhammad's hair. The name of the shrine comes from the Farsi word Hazrat, meaning "respected", and the Kashmiri word bal, meaning "place". Thus it means the place which is given high regards and is respected among the people. The shrine is situated on the Northern bank of the Dal Lake, Srinagar, and is considered to be Kashmir's holiest Muslim shrine.