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When various other tourist destinations of Kashmir have been discussed for their scenic spots, this significant district could be considered for being the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Because of this same reason, you would get to find some monuments, other than the innumerable number of temples. The city founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan is situated on the banks of River Tawi. If you have got plans of paying a holy visit to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, you may first arrive at Jammu by train or by flight, as it serves as a base camp for it. Meanwhile, at the banks of Chenab River, tourists could get to see the two-storeyed Akhnoor Fort, which is perched on a cliff. As these regions around Jammu was dwelled and planned by the royal family of Jammu, they had built some magnificent structures such as Mubarak Mandi Palace. It was inhabited by the erstwhile rulers of the Dogra dynasty. It depicts both Mughal and Rajasthani styles of architecture. Some of the crucial parts of the palace have been converted to a museum that exhibits rare paintings and even the weapons of Shah Jahan. Likewise, Amar Mahal of Jammu is yet another museum located in the city, where you may plan to drop into. Here, some interesting paintings and most significantly, the golden throne of Jammu, made of gold is preserved.

Tourists love to venture into this bewitching tourist destination of Kashmir, no matter what time of the year it is. The lush green mountains never fail to impress them. The elegant Lidder River flowing through its valleys make various parts of Pahalgam look sumptuous and enriching. This hill station of Anantnag district is situated at an elevation of 2200 m above the mean sea level. Your visit to Betaab Valley in Pahalgam should be a never to miss tourist spot in your trip to Kashmir. Once you arrive here and turn your attention to any side, you may find them familiar if you had watched all those old Bollywood song sequences. Most of them would be filmed about the appealing grasslands of Betaab Valley. For some adventure, you may partake in river rafting across the serene and gushing waters of the Lidder River. However, a sobriquet of a ‘mini- Switzerland’ is given to its counterpart, Baisaran Valley. It can be reached by traversing merely 5 km from Pahalgam. During winter, the scenic locations around them would take a different appearance, when its mountains and pine forests would be covered with heavy snow. Meanwhile, during summers, tourists may head to the scenic golf course of Pahalgam.

Rather than a tourist destination, Katra could be called a stopover place or gateway to the significant spiritual centre of Kashmir, Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. The glorious shrine perched on the slope of a hillock is known to be the holiest place for Hindu believers. To offer your prayers at the temple located at the temple, pilgrims would be required to collect certain tokens from Banganga, from where you will have to cover your path by foot or rely on ponies. En route to the holy shrine, one could get to halt at yet another small yet holy place of Baba Dhansar. Here crystal clear from high up the mountains will be flowing and collected in a pond, believed to be dwelled by a demon that was killed by Dhansar with the help of Lord Shiva. Meanwhile, at the pilgrimage town of Katra, you would get to shop for some unique products that are made or bought from different parts of Kashmir. That long list would comprise of dry fruits, Kashmiri shawls, copperware, souvenirs, wooden furniture, leather goods, brassware and whatnot. Buy some of them would be highly recommended, as you could later reminisce of your adventurous Kashmir tour.

Addressed most deservingly as ‘Meadows of Gold,’ it is high time for them to be included in the list of must-visit destinations of Kashmir. Sonmarg is one the highest ever places in Kashmir with some of their points even at a height of 2730 m above the mean sea level. Tourists are going to discern something out of the world experience if ventured to Zoji La Pass, which is 9 km from Sonmarg, so do Thajiwas Glacier. It is yet another spot in Kashmir, which tourists may engage in some adventures such as ice skiing or ice scooter and during summers, you may get indulged in trekking to its picturesque hills. Trekking is also done at the splendid spots of Sonmarg such as the twin islands of Vishansar and Krishansar, and Gangabal Lake. Amarnath Caves of Kashmir is already famous for its spiritual purposes. So, you may think of arranging a camp at Baltal Valley, which is yet another charming location, where you may capture some spectacular photographs. The Sindh River flowing so gracefully amid the hills is indeed an astonishing sight to watch at.

This could be the very name that would come to your mind when you ever think of Srinagar. That is the prominence of this serene lake with spectacular scenery on its backdrop. Moreover, what makes them more enticing are the borders shared by the magnificent Mughal Gardens and the Pir Panjal mountains. A shikara boating across these pristine waters of Dal Lake would be highly recommended for newlyweds honeymooning in Srinagar. Even otherwise, this delightful activity is considered a must-do thing here, even while you are holidaying along with your family or a group. The sights around them are going to look even more beautiful at the time of winters when the mountains could be clad with snow. Yet another highlighting feature of this Himalayan urban lake is the presence of houseboats that would be securely moored by its banks. Tourists could get to dwell by these elegantly designed boats by the banks of this alluring water body. Then during that enjoyable stay, wake up to get to view a refreshing sight of the lake. At times, you could be approached by the local sellers who sell all sorts of items arranged neatly in their canoes. Besides that, there is a floating vegetable market in the lake, with the products grown in different parts of Srinagar.

Gulmarg is a popular skiing location that can be visited during your trip to Kashmir. In fact, in the list of the world’s highest ski resorts, they come at third position. Most of the peaks would be clad with thick snow, giving them a mystic appearance during winters, making them nothing less of a Paradise. Whereas in summers, there will be lush greenery and cherishing flowering plants will be bloomed then. Moreover, the very meaning of Gulmarg is ‘Meadow of flowers.’ Furthermore, the cable car of Gulmarg is the highest ever cable car in the world. During this Gondola ride from the Gulmarg resort to Kongdori Mountain, the view of the valleys with dense forest, hamlets and lakes would be enchanting. Explore that alluring Strawberry Valley either by walking or horse riding. Your trek up to the frozen Al-Pathar Lake will be cherished forever since they are magical and the sights are ethereal. The Mughal rulers were wise enough to choose Gulmarg as the resort during summer.

It could be the most popular tourist destination of Kashmir with various alluring locations. Most of the historical sites that you get to see here were built by the Mughals such as Chashma Shahi, Nishat Garden and Shalimar Garden. These UNESCO World Heritage sites were set up in Iranian architecture way back in the year 1632. It is believed that the largest among all three of these, Shalimar Garden was built by Jahangir for his wife Noor Jahan. The most exciting part of this charming garden is that it overlooks Dal Lake. Zero Bridge that crosses over River Jhelum offers the city a vintage look, as they say so much about the cultural heritage of that period. A visit to such magnificent structures is a must-do thing. On your Kashmir tour, you miss dropping into the famous Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden and the sight that can be viewed here is truly spectacular. And if that is a windy day, the fragrances from these tulips are going to be hypnotic. Shankaracharya Temple, which is a few km away from Srinagar is situated at a height of 1100 feet above mean sea level. So the panoramic view from the hilltop is stunning.