CHESHMASHAHI

Cheshmashahi is the first Mughal Garden you will pass after Nehru Park. Built at a height above the city, its views are as stupendous as its layout. The smallest of Srinagar’s Mughal Gardens, Cheshmashahi has only three terraces in addition to a natural spring of water enclosed in a stone pavilion. TOP

NISHAT

The next garden along the road that encircles the Dal is the Nishat built by Empress Noor Jahan’s brother Asif Khan. The largest of the gardens Nishat has several terraces, a central water course and a majestic site between the Dal and the Zabarwan hills.

SHALIMAR

The third Mughal Garden --- the Shalimar was planted by Jehangir, the Mughal Emperor whose love for Kashmir was legendary. Shaded by magnificent chinar trees, the Shalimar is a series of stone pavilions and flowing water with paint box bright flower beds TOP

Gulmarg

At an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and at a distance of 56 kms., from Srinagar City. A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green, with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cow bells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not surprisingly has been he venue of numerous Indian films. All around are snow capped mountains and on a clear day you can see all the way to Nanga Parbat in one direction and Srinagar on the other. From Gulmarg a pony track as well as a modern Gondola Cable Car leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Apharwat - the peak which looms up from this point is Alpather Lake a picturesque alpine lake, frozen till late June. For horse riding aficionados, Alpather Lake makes an existing day’s excursion starting early morning and returning late evening. TOP

Phalgam

Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2130 meters above sea let and is at a distance of 96 kms., from Srinagar City. At the counfluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder and Sheshnag lake, Pahalgam was once humble shepherd’s villages with breathtaking views. Now it is Kashmir’s premier resort, cool even during the height of summer. A number of hotels and lodges cater to all preferences and budgets, from luxurious to unpretentious trekkers, lodges, including fully furnished huts, partially concealed by giant pine trees. Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking. Pony fares are posted at prominent locations.TOP

Sonamarg

Sonamarg is situated at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level and is 87 kms., from Srinagar City. The drive to Sonamarg is through yet another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir, this time the Sindh Valley. Sonamarg, which means ‘meadow of gold’ has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. The Sindh meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip upto Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months. TOP

Other Tourist Attractions

Apart from Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, some of the world famous tourist resorts of Kashmir Valley are Achabal, Kokernag, Verinag, Daksum, Aharbal, Yusmarg, Aharbal, etc., which if elaborated will needs hundreds of pages. Some of the other world famous lakes present in the State are Wular and Mansbal Lakes in Kashmir Valley, Mansar and Surinsar Lakes in Jammu Province and Pangong Lake in Ladakh Province TOP