The Best 10 Places to Visit in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir are blessed with beautiful surroundings and a serene ambiance that has captivated the hearts of tourists from all over the world. Whether you are visiting the city on your honeymoon or simply want to spend some quality time with your family, here are the top 10 places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir.

1. Shikargah

The royal game reserve of Shikargah, about an hour’s drive from Srinagar, is one of the finest wildlife parks in Asia. Home to a wide variety of animals—from tigers and leopards to deer and bears—and located at an altitude of 5,000 feet above sea level, it is a nature lover’s paradise. Its most distinctive feature is its lakes. One of them was created by hand by Emperor Jehangir; another was formed when a landslide blocked off a stream. It is also home to several endangered species such as the black-necked crane, ibisbill, Siberian crane, and Siberian white crane.

2. Sonamarg

Sonamarg is one of four tehsils that make up the Kargil district. It sits at a height of 11,500 feet and has beautiful views of Mussoorie. Known for its apple orchards, Sonamarg also offers amazing views of Trishul (Holy Trident), which is considered sacred by Hindus, who regard it as a symbol of Lord Shiva. This mountain peak can be seen from anywhere in Sonamarg.

If you’re visiting during springtime, you’ll have an even better view of snow-capped mountains and blooming flowers. The city is known for its apple orchards and many families own their own farms here. This means there are plenty of opportunities to try fresh fruit straight from local farmers!

3. Gulmarg

Located at a height of 2,611 meters above sea level, Gulmarg is home to some of India’s most attractive ski slopes. It also has one of Asia’s largest artificial lakes, which is surrounded by a beautiful rose garden and golf course. The lake and its surrounding views provide a place for trekking, white-water rafting, kayaking, and sailing. The area is known for its fresh air with cooling winds that are perfect for staying fit during summer.

4. Panzoo Valley

The Panzoo Valley is a scenic tourism destination that attracts tourists from all over India. This beautiful valley is situated about 35 kilometers from Srinagar and offers you a beautiful view of snow-clad mountains. The most attractive thing about Panzoo valley is its eco-friendly environment, green meadows, and water flowing through it. Apart from being one of its kind in North India, Panzoo Valley also has a great historical significance as it was once home to an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

5. Avantipur

The village of Avantipur is a great spot for culture lovers. The name Avantipur translates as a new city and that’s just what it is: a new (16th century) city built by an Afghan general. In spite of its relatively young age, Avantipur makes up for its lack of antiquity with architectural wonders, including a beautiful lake and several ornate palaces. It’s easy to spend a few days here exploring all there is to see.

After visiting Avantipur, travelers might want to head north into the Ganderbal district and visit Gulmarg—an important skiing destination during winter months. During summer, though, Gulmarg becomes one of India’s most popular tourist destinations—and rightly so!

6. Pahalgam

Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir is one of the most popular places and tourist destinations of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies at an altitude of 14000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by three mountain ranges: Pir Panjal Range, the Himalayan range, and the Aishmali range. Pahalgam can be accessed via Srinagar which is 100 km away from here. This place attracts a large number of tourists every year due to its natural beauty.

The main attraction of Pahalgam is Gulmarg which is just 16 km away from here. Gulmarg has a ski resort that attracts skiers throughout the year. People also visit Kolahoi Glacier and Chandanwari Lake while they are in Pahalgam. Apart from these places, there are many other tourist attractions such as Nunwan, Devsar Lake, etc, that attract a large number of visitors each year.

7. Srinagar

The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is home to several places that you must visit. A few of these are Dal Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, Naseem Bagh, and Hari Parbat Fort. Besides these places, there are many more places worth visiting such as Hazratbal Shrine, Nishat Bagh, and Shankaracharya Hill. Srinagar is one place you must visit if you plan on traveling to Jammu and Kashmir.

8. Padar Gali

Padar Gali is one of Kashmir’s most popular picnic spots and is a wonderful place for scenic walks. The meadows and pleasant weather here offer an idyllic setting for recreation, which is why people flock here during weekends. Walk or jog along these pastoral areas and soak up some sunshine. If you’re lucky, you might even spot an elusive Himalayan black bear as they roam around freely here! Padar Gali also boasts some picturesque waterfalls that cascade over moss-covered rocks.

9. Chandanwari & Zaina Kadal

A visit to Charar-e-Sharief, a holy place of worship for both Muslims and Hindus, is a must when traveling through Kashmir. The Bab al Sarai connecting Charar-e-Sharief with Zaina Kadal is an arched gateway built by Dogra rulers. Right on its arch are inscribed words of welcome in Persian by Maharaja Gulab Singh and Lord Lawrence.

Chandanwari is a small village near Srinagar where you can see many traditional houses made out of wood and mud. It’s also home to Shri Hazratbal Shrine, which has been built around an ancient peepal tree that stands right at the confluence of Dal Lake and Jhelum River. This sacred shrine holds great importance among both Hindus and Muslims alike.

10. Sumbal

Located at a height of 2,577 meters, Sumbal is a beautiful place and has temples and other sites of historical importance. There are two main temples here: Raghunath Mandir which was constructed by ruler Raja Sahasi Das and Laxmi Narayan Mandir. The village is also known for its natural beauty with green fields and snow-capped mountains surrounding it. The place offers some great views of Nanga Parbat peak as well. It’s also home to many trekking trails so you can explore more if you want to.

Also read:-Places to Visit in Kashmir