The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a great tourist destination. Picturesque and enchanting, Kashmir is cradled high in the lofty green Himalayas and hailed all over the world for its incredible natural beauty. Surrounded by mountain peaks, lush green valleys, glistening lakes, temples and spectacular Mughal-era gardens, it has inspired poets through centuries. Kashmir is crisscrossed by chinar tree-lined roads and quaint wooden bridges; and is home to bustling bazaars, sufi shrines and forts. Add to this, the charms of flavourful Kashmiri cuisine and apples and walnuts from the lush orchards surrounding it.
In winter, Kashmir takes on a white glow, covered in soft snow and skiers making a beeline for its famous slopes. And in summer, as the snow melts, and the flowers in the meadows bloom, it resembles an artist's canvas.
Meanwhile, Jammu lies on the banks of the pristine Tapi river. It is dotted with hundreds of temples. From the popular Hindu pilgrimage of Vaishno Devi, which is located nearby, to scores of religious structures set in picturesque surroundings, Jammu is the ideal site to set on a temple trail and soak in spiritual vibes.
Jammu & Kashmir is the topmost state of Indian sub-continent and is one of the best scenic places to visit in the vacation. It is well captioned as βParadise on the earthβ, which is due to stunning beauty it offers in the midst of and a wide range of valleys to visit.Apart from snow-capped mountains, Jammu and Kashmir also offer its tourists to experience wildlife along with exquisite monuments, glaciers, forests, rivers, pine trees and blue lakes, which makes a pleasant atmosphere.
Though the official language of Jammu and Kashmir is Urdu, most of the locals speak in Kashmiri, which is the local language of this state. Jammu & Kashmir offers the tourists with many of the interesting places to visit that add memories to your sweet trip.
1.Gulmarg
Gulmarg is visited by a large number of tourists and is home to the huge number of Jammu and Kashmir points of interest. Gulmarg is one of the best places for adventure lovers and who are fascinated by nature. This town offers its visitors the topmost attractions to view such as Gulmarg Gondola, Shark Fin, Baba Reshi Shrine, Kongdori, Apparwath, Gulmarg Golf course are some of them. Gulmarg Golf course is one of the places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir, as it provides to view a beautiful backdrop, along with a picturesque landscape.
Gulmarg is visited by a large number of tourists and is home to the huge number of Jammu and Kashmir points of interest. Gulmarg is one of the best places for adventure lovers and who are fascinated by nature. This town offers its visitors the topmost attractions to view such as Gulmarg Gondola, Shark Fin, Baba Reshi Shrine, Kongdori, Apparwath, Gulmarg Golf course are some of them. Gulmarg Golf course is one of the places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir, as it provides to view a beautiful backdrop, along with a picturesque landscape.
How to reach:
Gulmarg is well connected to all the major cities of India through three modes of transport. In order to reach Gulmarg through airways, people need to take off at Sheikh-Ul-Alam airport, while through train they can reach Jammu railway station which is the major one.
Major Tourist Attractions of Gulmarg:
:---Maharani Temple
:---St Maryβs Church
:---Gulmarg Gondola
:---Khilanmarg
:---Gulmarg Backcountry Ski Lodge
:---Himalayan Ski School
2. Sonamarg:-
Sonamarg is one of the amazing places that provides a picturesque of the Jammu state, which is situated on hill town. Sonamarg is one of the Jammu and Kashmir points of interest, because of the various valleys present in this location. This is one of the places that focus on the natural lifestyle of rich Kashmir culture which can be observed in the Jammu and Kashmir tourism. This serene place offers the people to experience some of the adventurous sports such as trekking, camping, hiking, fishing along with water rafting.
How to reach:
In order to reach through airways, it is possible by reaching the nearest airport that is Sri Nagar airport, from there buses along with cabs are available to reach Sonamarg valley. Through railways, it is necessary for the tourists who need to get down at Jammu Tawi railway station and from there reach Sonamarg.
3.Srinagar:-
Srinagar is popular all over the world, for its natural beauty and is well known as βParadise on Earthβ. Srinagar is situated in the Jammu and Kashmir tourist placed on the banks of Jhelum river. This beautiful place holds several historical, religious, ancient sites, along with the popular Sri Pratap Singh Museum. The most attractive places to visit in Jammu Kashmir are Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Achabal Garden, ChashmaShahi, Pari Mahal, Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Anchor Lake, Manasbal Lake, Dachigam Wildlife sanctuary, Indira Gandhi Tulip garden and much more to view.
How to reach:
Srinagar is well connected to all the major cities of India through airways as well as railways. Tourists need to board at Sheikh-ul-Alam airport located in Srinagar. If reaching through railways, then they need to get down at Jammu Tawi Railway station located in Jammu and reach Srinagar through buses or other private services.
4.Sanasar Valley:-
Sanasaris one of the scenic places located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the important places in the tourism list. Sana and Sar are the two small villages that are located side by side in the Jammu region. Sanasar attracts the tourists with the non-polluted environment, snow clad mountains, lush grasslands, and pine trees. Tourists need to visit these places when they visit Sanasar that is Jammu Kashmir temple of Shank Pal temple, other age-old temples, meadows, lakes along with some of the adventurous activities such as paragliding, camping, trekking along with hiking.
How to reach:
Traveling to Sanasaris possible quite easily by approaching the airport located in Jammu, from where tourists need to hire a cab or private traveling services. Tourists can reach this place through railways; by getting down at the Jammu Tawi railway station.
5.Aru Valley:-
Aru is one of the amazing natural scenic beauties and ranks the topmost in the Jammu and Kashmir points of interest. This is one of the tiniest hill station villages in the state that is entirely covered with attention-grabbing beauty with its meadows, pine trees along with some interesting activities for adventure lovers such as trekking, hiking, horse riding, and skiing. Aru valley which is located 12 km away from Pahalgam, makes its position in the Jammu and Kashmir tourism.
How to reach:
Aru valley allows its tourists to reach through airways as well as railways. In order to reach through airways, it is possible by reaching the nearest airport that is Sri Nagar airport, from there tourists need to take private transportation to reach Pahalgam, from there buses along with cabs are available to reach Aru valley. Trough railways one needs to get down at Jammu Tawi railway station and from there reach Pahalgam.
6.Bangus Valley
Bangus Valley is yet another excellent place surrounded by greenery with meadows, wild grass, and mountain ranges. Though this is a less explored sightseeing place, still it ranks in Jammu Kashmir map tourist places. Bangus Valley is located in Kupwara district and just you need to spend approximately 4 to 5 hours from Kashmir to reach this place. This stunning beauty is surrounded by vegetation and has many streams that pass through this place giving it a more attractive look. The other breathtaking views that are awesome to see in Bangus Valley are Latus valley, Shamsberry, Kazinag mountains, Chowkibal mountains, Kalaroos caves allow the tourist to create some wonderful memories in Jammu Kashmir.
How to reach:
Bangus Valley cannot be reached directly through airways or railways or roadways, but tourists need to reach Srinagar through any mode of transportation. Then from Srinagar, it is necessary to take private travel or cabs to reach Bangus Valley.
7.Bhaderwah
Bhaderwah is yet another precious jewel of Jammu and Kashmir tourism, which is also well known as βNagonkiBhoomiβ. This scenic town located in the Doa district is again surrounded by lush green meadows, rolling hills, mesmerizing streams along with sparkling forests. The famous sights to visit for tourists of Bhaderwah town are Chinta valley, Seoj meadow, Padri, Sartingal, Jai valley, Khani top, BhalPadri, Nalthi β Basti, Noorie and Kellar are some of them. Best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir is in the months of May to August to enjoy skiing, paragliding, and horse riding in Bhaderwah town.
How to reach:
Tourists wishing to reach Bhaderwah, need to reach Jammu as their main destination either through airways at Jammu airport or railways at Jammu railway station. Jammu is approximately 200 km away from Bhaderwah town, from where JKSRTC operate bus services which take near about 6 to 7 hours.
Major Tourist Attractions of Bhaderwah:
:---Jai Valley
:---Bhaderwah Fort
:---Gordana
:---Sarthal
:---Seoj
:---Chinta Valley
:---Padri Pass
8.Dal Lake
Dal Lake is one of the scenic lake cities located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the important places in the tourism list. Dal Lake city attracts the tourists with the houseboats, mountains, shikaras and floating vegetable market. Tourists need to visit these places when they visit Dal Lake that is ancient Jammu Kashmir temple of Shankaracharya, lotus flowers, and floating market.
How to reach:
Traveling to Dal Lake is easy by approaching the airport located in Badgam. However, buses are also operated from nearby places to reach Dal Lake, without any transportation problem.
Major Tourist Attractions of Dal Lake:
:---Island of Char Chinar
:---Nigeen Lake
:---Chashme Shahi
:---Shankaracharya Temple
:---Hari Parbat
:---Hazratbal Shrine
:---Mazar-e-Shura Cemetery
:---Kashmir houseboat and shikara