Are you looking for the best visiting places in Kashmir? Do you know what are the popular places to visit in Kashmir and when?
Every year many wanderlusts explores the paradise of earth, Kashmir. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and outside. Natural beauty, chilling ambiance and a perfect combination of snow clad mountain and valley attracts tons of people.
Kashmir presents with versatility. Staying in house boats or amid mountains, Kashmir welcomes you with the most beautiful experiences.
We all know that Kashmir is world-famous for its unmatchable beauty, charm, and political issues. Even Kashmir is called heaven on earth. If you never visit Kashmir in your entire life, your life may be in vain.
Kashmir lies in the lap of the Himalayas. Kashmir also offers us snowy mountains, streamy silvery rivers, forests of Deodar and Chinar, glittering lakes and waterfalls, green valleys, and colourful flowers. How can we remember Kashmiri apples? Kashmir would be the best trip of your entire life.
Visiting places in Kashmir
If you love to explore the best hill stations in India, Kashmir must be top in your list. You will want to visit every place in Kashmir when you are in Kashmir. It’s tough to decide which one to leave and which one to go? To clear your mind here, I mentioned some special places in Kashmir. Here is the list of the best visiting places in Kashmir.
- Srinagar
- Sonamarg
- Gulmarg
- Pahalgam
- Betaab Valley
- Vaishno Devi
- Dal Lake
- Kupwara
- Leh, Ladakh
- Kargil
- Pulwama
- Amarnath
- Kashmir Valley
- Hemis
1. Srinagar
When discussing the best visiting places in Kashmir, the first place that should come to your mind is Srinagar. The beauty of Srinagar will mesmerise you. You will feel like you are in paradise. They will amaze you. Dal Lake is called the gem of Srinagar visiting places.
In Srinagar, there is the most comprehensive Tulip Garden. One more amazing thing is only here can you see the floating market. If you want to give your beloved a romantic night, you should go for the Shikara cruise ride. You will find the real culture of Kashmir in Srinagar.
The water ripples on the lake at night and the distant lights that slowly burn make this city magical. The old forts and old houses built by the Mughal Empire are reminiscent of that bygone era. The dense green forest of this place fascinates our minds and brings refreshments.
The morning of Srinagar starts with Farj and Zikr. Srinagar has many things to offer us before we die. The silky sunrise and sunset through the snowy white will look like a fairytale. You know Srinagar is also famous for its ancient jewellery and delicious food.
2. Sonamarg
The meaning of Sonamarg is " the meadow of gold & quote; if I consider Sonamarg as the valley of flowers, it would be wrong. In the summer season, different types of flowers fill this place. If you want to go to Amarnath, then you have to start your journey from this place.
Apart from these, Sonamarg has more to offer you. The green grassland, the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, the falling lakes, and sky-high glaciers will make your trip successful. Have you ever seen Ponies? In Sonamarg, you can even take a ride on them.
Most importantly, Sonamarg is a gateway of Kashmir and China connecting roads. If you are going to Sonamarg in the winter season, you must try ice skating, sledging, and skiing in the frozen icehouse. If you are going to trek at Ladakh, then Sonamarg will be your base Camp.
In Sonamarg, there are many lakes, like Krishnasar lake, Vishansar lake, and Gangabal lake, where you can enjoy fishing and water rafting. If you are looking for the best visiting places in Kashmir, I recommend you go to Sonamarg.
3. Gulmarg
You are going to Kashmir, but you are not going to Gulmarg; it never happens, nor it should. People called Gulmarg the ‘Meadow of Flowers’. In Gulmarg, you will always get snow from winter to summer. That’s why Gulmarg is known as the snow paradise of Kashmir.
Do you want to go skiing? Or do you love to take a ride at the ropeway? Then Gulmarg will be your best choice in the visiting places in Kashmir. Gulmarg has the world’s largest and highest ropeway. This ropeway aerial distance is 5 kilometres approx.
The view of the Himalayas mountains from such a height will amaze you. It will be the most beautiful sight you will ever see. For those people who love snowfall, this place is a paradise for them. Flowers of different colours on the snow-covered mountains make this place look like paradise.
4. Pahalgam
Pahalgam should be on your list when you make a chart of visiting places in Kashmir. I think Pahalgam is the most beautiful, nice, pleasant, and tiny town in Kashmir. The altitude of this tiny pleasant town is 2740 metres above sea level.
In this tiny town, you will see lakes glittering in sun lights, various types and colours of flowers, and dense green forests. This place is the perfect destination for refreshing your mind from everyday stress and problems. The pleasant weather here is enjoyable.
This tiny place has more to offer you. In Pahalgam, you will get a markable experience of trekking and skiing on the hills of the Himalayas. Are you a photo alcoholic? Because Pahalgam is the most famous place for photographers. Green-coloured pine trees will give your eyes a lot of peace.
Although a small village, Pehelgam is still catching up in terms of modernity. Along with the beauty of nature, there is also a touch of modernity here. There are many amusement parks in Pahalgam where you can enjoy yourself with your kids. It is the best holiday destination.
5. Betaab Valley
In our list of the best visiting places in Kashmir, Betaab Valley is one of the most attractive places. The former name of Betaab Valley is Hagan Valley. Betaab Valley is a small, nice, and beautiful place in Kashmir and the pleasant weather here is very refreshing.
Here you can enjoy the view of effusive streams, soft green meadows, and coniferous forests. This place is very much popular with Bollywood. Many films like ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ and ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ were shooted here.
The natural view and the pleasant weather of this place are pure refreshments for your health and mind. This place is also famous for trekking, photography, and camping. This place is perfect for a picnic during daylight. Even this place is perfect for a weekend getaway.
6. Vaishno Devi
If you are a believer in God, then wherever you go, you will have a little urge to go to a religious place. Even in this case, Kashmir will not let you down. That’s why the next place on my list of the best visiting places in Kashmir for you will be a religious place.
The name of the place is Vaishno Devi. It is said that Vaishno Devi is a trio of three goddesses. According to Hindu mythology, these three goddesses are Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswati. Every year millions of devotees come here to get visions and blessings of Vaishno Devi.
I want to give you more information about this holy place. Many people go trekking here. You have to climb uphill up to 13 kilometres on foot. It will take 6 to 9 hours to complete the trek. You can reach here by helicopter also. In this trekking Marg, you will find a variety of shops.
7. Dal Lake
Dal Lake is one of the most famous visiting places in Kashmir. Dal Lake is situated in Srinagar, and the area of this lake is 26 square kilometres. People called Dal Lake’ The Jewel of Srinagar’. It can never be that you have been to Kashmir but have yet to see Dal Lake.
The view of this beautiful lake will fill your mind with positivity. Do you want to go on a beautiful romantic date with your beloved? If yes, I suggest you ride on Shikaras in canopies with your lover. Shikaras are beautiful boats made of wood.
There are traditional Kashmiri houseboats made of wood on Dal Lake and the most famous floating markets. The interiors of these houseboats are luxurious and comfortable, and they have single rooms decorated with flowers.
From the window of these houseboats, the view of sunrise through the lake is majestic. In the floating market, you will get various authentic Kashmiri stuff and handicrafts. When the lake freezes in the winter, you can enjoy ice skating here.
8. Kupwara
Kupwara is considered ‘the Delight of Kashmir’. Kwara is the most peaceful and serene place among the visiting places in Kashmir we have listed down. Kupwara presents us with alpine mountains, fresh effusive clean streams, growing meadows, wobbly lakes, and Valleys.
This place is heaven for trekkers. You can enjoy trekking here. Here you will experience the beautiful scenery of mountain ranges like Bulbeer, Dajalongun, and Feshiltong. Kupwara also has attractive valleys like Lolab Valley, Bangus Valley, and Seemab Valley.
The most interesting thing here is that at the same time, you will see both temples and mosques in the same place. The famous temples and mosques are Jamia Masjid, Bhawani Temple, Gazi Masjid, and Badra Kali Temple.
9. Leh, Ladakh
Leh, Ladakh is the most famous and popular place among the best visiting places in Kashmir. Leh’s sights and beauty will make every visitor love this place. You know a few scenes of the famous film 3 Idiots were shooted in Leh.
The view of the magnetic hills, the clear freezing water of alpine lakes, and the floating clouds in the blue sky will make you lost in yourself and with the place. Especially the young generation or the college goers want to explore these adventurers and romantic places more and more.
Do you love bike riding? If yes, I know this place is a dreamland for every bike rider. Every bike rider wants to visit this beautiful and scenic place at least once. This place is perfect for visiting in summer, and I can clearly say that this place will completely
blow your mind with its beauty.
10. Kargil
We Indians are familiar with this name. This place has many connections with our Independence. Kargil is a tiny town and a peaceful visiting place in Ladakh. This place should be on your list of the best visiting places in Kashmir.
This historical place is known for the shocking Kargil War in 1999. If you are going to Kargil, visit the Ranbhoomi of war here. I will also tell you that you must go to the Army camp here and listen to the war stories from the army men.
Not only is this city steeped in war memories, but this city also offers you an opportunity to enjoy a magnificent view. From this place, you will have a wonderful view of the mountains and feel like you are lying in the lap of nature.
11. Pulwama
Pulwama is popularly known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kashmir’. Pulwama is a tiny, weird village in Jammu and Kashmir. This small village has so many to offer you. Fragment of saffron fields, joyful weather, apple garden, gushing waterfalls, grassy valley, and most importantly, beautiful people.
Pulwama will never let you down, whether it’s winter or summer, whenever you come here. In winter, you will experience snowfalls and enjoy skiing. In summer, this is the perfect place for mountaineering and trekking. Don’t forget to visit this one of the poplar visiting places in Kashmir.
Along with this, we will remember the infamous incident in Pulwama on 14th February 2019.
12. Amarnath
Among the top pilgrimage tourism in India, Amarnath is one of the popular visiting places in Kashmir. If you are Mahakal Bhakta, I recommend visiting this place. The Shiva Lingam of Amarnath is built by itself inside the cave of Amarnath. It has now become one of the largest Hindu shrines, and the Shiva Lingam here gives blessings to everyone.
It is said that this is where Lord Shiva gave knowledge about the eternity of Goddess Parvati and the main motif of human life. All the devotees who come here to visit Amarnath walk through the ice road to the Amarnath temple.
On your way to the road, you will see the river Amaravati flowing by the road, and you will also think that this river will visit Amarnath with you.
13. Kashmir Valley
The greatest Himalayan valley, Kashmir Valley, is formed like an ellipse and is a prominent feature of Kashmir. The views from Kashmir Valley, which is encircled by the Pir Panjal and Karakoram mountain ranges, are fascinating in every direction. The ideal location for hikers and mountaineers is this 140 km long valley!
How to get there By car: You may take a bus to Srinagar from any of the main cities. Cities like Chandigarh, Delhi, and others are well connected to it.
By air – A trip to Srinagar, which is 18 kilometers away from the valley, may be taken.
By train: Jammu Tawi is the closest railroad station, and buses and taxis frequently run from Jammu to the valley.
Paragliding above the Valley is a must-do.
March through October is the ideal time to visit.
Since there are no hotels in the valley, you must make hotel reservations in Pahalgam or Srinagar.
14. Hemis
It is located in the region of Rarity, a vast, uncharted area filled with monasteries and national parks. If you love animals, Kashmir is a must-visit destination in the summer. In these national parks, animals like the snow leopard and bharals can find refuge. Hemis is a town in Ladakh’s Leh region that is most well-known for its annual Hemis festival, which features a variety of colorful masks and costumes and is followed by monks dancing while sporting long horns.
The closest airport to Hemis is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, which is how to get there.
By train: Jammu Tawi railway station is the closest rail hub. Buses are available from Jammu to Hemis.
One may use two routes to get to Hemis: either via the Srinagar- Kargil- Leh highway or the Leh- Manali highway.
What to do: Go to Hemis National Park and the Hemis Monastery. Consider going to Hemis in July to take part in the Hemis Festival.
May through July is the ideal time to visit.
Because there are no hotels in Hemis, one must reserve accommodations in Leh.
Conclusion
Exploring best visiting places in Kashmir is everyone’s dream. Kashmir, a heaven on earth, is one of the attractive tourist places in North India. The lakes will welcome you with their view. A ride on Dal lake by Shikara will surely help you to feel refreshed. The charming landscape will tell you the actual definition of beauty. And in the end, the local dishes of Kashmir will make you happy. Every season has its color here, and you can spend your vacation anytime in the best visiting places in Kashmir.
