Srinagar Tourism

The Summer Capital to the Valley of Kashmir

Sprawling across the banks of the Jhelum is the largest city in all of Jammu & Kashmir. Srinagar — the northernmost major city of the country, home to over a million people, set right in the heart of the valley. Whether you’re looking to escape scorching tropical summers or for a thrilling winter wonderland, Srinagar can be your next destination. Surrounded by the Himalayas, the city and region offer some of the best natural landscapes and activities one could wish for. The “Venice of the East” is known for its picturesque lakes dotted with shikaras and houseboats. It is a town of gardens, an heirloom of its Mughal past, with the Night Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashma Shahi Gardens and Naseem Bagh just a few of the top botanical estates to visit. Srinagar is also a place of spirituality, with significant temples and mosques calling the city home. These include the Jamia Masjid, Ziarati Hazrati Youza Asouph, Shankaracharya Mandir and Kheer Bhawani Temple. And if that’s not enough, Srinagar is also a hub for adventurers, with paragliding, trekking, skiing, fishing and more, as seasonal activities. 

If unforgettable memories are what you want out of your next journey, visit Srinagar and immerse yourself in its vibrant culture, breath taking geography and tremendous experiences. 

Highlights of Srinagar:

Attractions:

Visiting Srinagar’s top attractions will take you on a sightseeing and experiential tour like no other city in India can. 

• Dal Lake: Synonymous with the city itself, Dal Lake simply must be visited for a shikara ride along its mesmeric waters and mountainous reflections.

• Tulip Garden: Witness the entire spectrum of colours in seemingly endless rows of gorgeous tulip flowers — floral bliss! And great for photographs too. 

• Shalimar Bagh: Srinagar has many Mughal gardens and the Shalimar Bagh is one of the best. It was originally built way back in 1619 by Emperor Jehangir. Even now, the structure and magnificence of the garden is maintained and is amazing to witness.

• Shankaracharya Mandir: Said to be the oldest shrine in the valley, located atop a hill at 1100 feet above sea level. Inside and out, the temple leaves will leave you awestruck with its beauty.

• Hazratbal Shrine: Right beside the Dal Lake is the domed mosque called Hazratbal, which is a prominent Islamic sacred site and a must-see for tourists of all beliefs.

• Nigeen Lake: If you want the houseboat experience, head to Nigeen Lake which has countless boats of different sizes and facilities. The lush natural surroundings only add to the thrill. 

• Dachigam National Park: Just 22 km from the main town of Srinagar is the Dachigam National Park that’s home to the Himalayan Black Bear and Kashmiri Stags, amongst other endangered species of animals and plants. A safari will be hard to forget. 

• Pari Mahal: Here you can see Islamic architecture at its finest and experience a bit of folklore as well! Pari Mahal literally translates to home of the fairies, its artistic gardens are other-worldly and amazing.

Heritage Of Srinagar:

Like most places found in pristine surrounds, Srinagar has abundant natural history that supports many eco-systems. Its mountains and forests are home to countless species of animals, its marshes and lakes are flowing with fish and migratory birds. Creatures of every size share in this beautiful part of the valley, watched over by the mountains. In coexistence is the city’s cultural and societal heritage, including significant places of worship for all faiths, manicured paradisiacal gardens and monuments that exude charm. 

Cuisine Of Srinagar:

With such a multi-cultural, historic city, it is unsurprising that the food of Srinagar is rich in complexity, flavour and tradition. Exploring its culinary delights will be a highlight of your tour. Expect plenty of meat preparations including Rogan-Gosht, Gushtaba and Tabak-Maz. While vegetarians can look forward to delicious lentils, vegetables and grains prepared with just as much savour. The local tea called Kahwa is hugely popular with tourists — it’s ideal for the weather! Srinagar’s dining establishments include restaurants, cafes, street-food stalls and hotels with in-house food services. 

Shopping In Srinagar:

Kashmiri handicrafts are famous around the world, from Pashmina shawls to papier mache products, woven Kilim rugs to antique silver jewellery. These precious goods are all crafted by hand, making them unique and valuable. And there are plenty of markets to roam, bargain and buy what brings you delight. The most popular ones include Lal Chowk, Baadshah Chowk, or the Sunday Market at Residency Road. 

Interesting facts about Srinagar:  

• Srinagar is in the heart of Kashmir, known as a “paradise on earth” for its unparalleled natural beauty. 
• It is the summer capital while Jammu is the winter capital.
• Carpet weaving, silverware and copper ware crafting and woodcarving are some of the main industries of Srinagar.
• Srinagar is a gateway to nearby destinations such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam.
• The houseboat experience is bucket-list worthy, offering a truly spectacular way to soak in the city and its mesmeric views.
• Srinagar has its own Golf Course that’s open to public and offers other fun services too.

Location Of Srinagar:

Srinagar is located in the Valley of Kashmir, with the town split in two by the flowing Jhelum River, at an altitude of 5,200 feet. There are nine bridges that connect the two halves of the city, while there are also several other water bodies around the region including lakes and swamps such as Dal Lake, Gil Sar and Khushal Sar, as well as the pristine wetlands of Hokersar. Himalayan Mountains run all around Srinagar, making this truly one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the country. 

Best time to visit:

Of the three seasons Srinagar witnesses, summer is considered the best time to visit as it offers respite from the usual heat and humidity prevalent around the rest of the country, with idyllic outdoor weather. It is also when the famed Tulip Festival takes place. Monsoons can be great fun for couples or travellers looking to explore the city at its least crowded. Meanwhile, winters draw in visitors from around the world for frozen escapades such as skiing, snowboarding and of course — crafting your very own snowman!

How to get to Srinagar:

By Air

Flying straight into Srinagar Airport is most convenient. It operates predominantly domestic flights, as well as some international and seasonal flights for the Hajj Pilgrimage. Delhi, Mumbai, Leh, Jammu and Chandigarh are some of the places from where you can directly fly in. Flights with layovers can be easily arranged from alternate cities. 

By Road

Srinagar is well connected to other cities in the north via the road, making car and bus journeys to the city quite popular. Private vehicles can be driven from anywhere in the country, while taxis and direct buses are available from Delhi, Leh, Jammu and Chandigarh. Many tourists combine air with road travel to reach Srinagar. 

By Train

Look for trains to either of two railways stations — Jammu Tawi and Udhampur as they are both well-connected to cities across the country. Once you alight, avail a private taxi or state bus to cover the rest of the distance by road. 

History Of Srinagar:

What you now call the Kashmir Valley, was once the bedrock of a mammoth lake during the ice age. Today, it is the home of the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir — the beautiful city of Srinagar. The time in between has seen it be a centre for iconic eras - be it the Buddhist years during the rule of Ashoka or the advent of Islamic rulers in the Medieval centuries, the splendorous days of the Mughals, to the British takeover and the final years as a princely state led by Maharaja Gulab Singh. Along with its spectacular location, it is this long and illustrious history that has made Srinagar such an amazing attraction. In more modern times, Srinagar has been caught in the issues between India and Pakistan, with a pronounced military presence seen to this day. Apart from a few outbursts, though, the town remains stable and tourists are most welcome.