Kashmir Valley

The Kashmir Valley, or more poetically the Vale of Kashmir, is a large valley in the Himalayas and a part of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India.

• 34.09111174.8061111 Srinagar — summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city in the Kashmir region
• 33.7375.152 Anantnag (Islamabad) — the second largest city in Kashmir Valley
• 34.20888974.3427783 Baramulla —
• 34.04777874.3847224 Gulmarg — city in Kashmir and famous for having one of the world's highest cable cars
• 34.03222275.3222225 Pahalgam — a city in Kashmir Valley
• 33.8874.926 Pulwama — a town in Kashmir Valley
• 34.30277875.2958337 Sonamarg — a hill station
• 34.08333374.0333338 Uri — a town in the Baramula District of Jammu and Kashmir with the river Jhelum flowing through it

• 34.1371875.037751 Dachigam National Park — home to the critically endangered Kashmir stag (hangul). Grasslands, alpine meadows, waterfalls and craggy cliffs provide a home for various species of mammals such as the Himalayan black and brown bears, jackal and leopard and birds such as the woodpecker, pygmy owl and cinnamon sparrow.
• 33.857574.5641672 Doodhpathri — a famous tourist destination which attracts many tourists mainly for the purpose of trekking and enjoying the snow in the months of the summer season.

The Kashmir Valley has long been celebrated for its dramatic natural beauty. Mughal emperor Jehangir famously wrote, “If there be paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here,” describing the valley’s lakes, forests and snow‑covered peaks. That reputation remains intact: the region’s alpine meadows, glacial lakes and Mughal gardens continue to draw millions of visitors each year.

The valley’s recent history has been shaped by conflict. After 1947, political tension and cross‑border disputes created instability, and by the late 1980s armed militancy had grown sharply. This period brought fear, targeted killings and major disruption to everyday life. One of the most significant events was the displacement of the Kashmiri Pandits, a Hindu minority community native to the valley. Beginning in 1989–1990, threats and rising violence forced tens of thousands of Pandits to leave their homes. Most moved to Jammu or other parts of India, and many have remained displaced for decades. Their departure changed the valley’s demographic and cultural landscape, and the question of return remains sensitive and unresolved.

Tourism collapsed during the 1990s and 2000s as violence increased and travel advisories discouraged visitors. Several incidents affected tourist areas, and the valley’s reputation suffered. In the mid-2020s, however, conditions have changed. Security has improved, infrastructure has expanded, and domestic tourism has surged. Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg now see steady visitor numbers throughout the year, with activities ranging from trekking and rafting to skiing and paragliding. The Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar is often noted for its scenic setting, and Gulmarg has a small 18-hole course as well.

Although occasional incidents still occur, the overall trend shows greater stability and growing confidence among travellers, especially after the abrogation of Article 370. Skirmishes along the Line of Control continue from time to time, but these usually take place far from tourist routes. Visitors who stay informed and follow local guidance generally find the region welcoming and peaceful.

The Kashmir Valley remains a place of extraordinary natural beauty shaped by a complex history. Tourism is thriving again, and travellers who understand the region’s past and present can appreciate both its landscapes and its resilience.

The official languages of the union territory used in the valley are Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri (or Koshur). The younger generation speaks English quite well. Most of the signboards and directions are written in English.

Almost all the domestic airlines in India fly from Delhi to Srinagar (SXR ^IATA), as well as some international ones.

The region is served by the Kashmir Railway from Jammu to Baramulla.

From Jammu, various places in Kashmir are 6-8 hours by road. The landscape tends to get very interesting from Jammu and it is mainly because of this reason travellers prefer the road trip (especially from Jammu). The Jammu-Srinagar highway is extremely treacherous in the winter and blocked by landslides for most of the winter. On the way from Jammu to the valley do not forget to relish the famous rajmah chawal in Peerah and pattisa (sweet made in ghee) in Kudd.

You can also hire a taxi or take a bus from New Delhi. The travel time by road is about 20 hours from New Delhi.

The best way to travel across the known destinations in Kashmir is to hire a taxi for about US$60 a day. If you want to visit high-altitude lakes and mountaineering destinations you can hire a horse to carry your stuff up the mountains.

The tourism department also provides guides, maps and equipment to mountaineers and trekkers.

Spring is the time when Kashmir bursts into a riot of colours and millions of flowers carpet the landscape. A good idea would be to visit the "Tulip Garden", one of the largest of its kind in Asia. The Tulip Garden is opposite the main Boulevard Road on the shores of the Dal Lake. Although work on the garden started a couple of years back, each season it is expanding rapidly and is fast becoming a major tourist attraction in spring.

Angling in the many freshwater streams is an attraction in spring as well or if you missed out on skiing in winter, you could go skiing in Gulmarg which offers excellent opportunities till late March.

Summer brings a lot of tourists to the valley, especially those from the Indian plains which experience unbearably hot temperatures during the summers.

Gulmarg is a perennial favourite. Gulmarg means 'the meadow of flowers and is 56 km southwest of the city centre, Srinagar. The slopes of the Apharwat hills (of the Himalayas) at Gulmarg are one of the highest ski slopes in Asia. Due to its unique geographical location, Gulmarg gets some of the heaviest snowfall in the Himalayan region. This hill resort is served by a cable car that goes all the way to Apharwat peak, on which is claimed to be the highest gondola in the world (4,080 metres).

Pahalgam or the village of Shepherds is a very popular resort 90 km south of Srinagar. It has some magnificent plains (like Baisaran) where horse riding can be indulged in. Again, some fantastic angler opportunities as well and a lot of trekking routes (including the one that goes to Amarnath, a Hindu pilgrimage shrine deep in the Himalayas)

84 km from the state capital Srinagar at an altitude of 2,900 metres, Sonamarg lies in the valley carved by River Sindh, surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains. Sonamarg literally means "Meadow Of Gold".

The skiing season in Gulmarg, the world-famous ski resort in Kashmir, lasts for about four months, but with the Thajiwas Glacier and the upper reaches of the Sonamarg valley covered with snow practically all through the year, skiers can thrill themselves for a longer period.

Sonamarg has a certain "raw" unspoiled beauty about it. The mountains look tall and haughty and the vista whichever way looked at consists of meadows, imposing mountains and streams. Sonamarg is the gateway to Ladakh so if you're planning to go to Ladakh by road you'll be enthralled by its charms.

• Enjoy a Shikara ride in the Dal Lake. You can also swim in the lake.
• Stay in a houseboat.

• Take a walk on the streets of Old City [downtown Srinagar].
• Go trekking.
• In winter you can go on a skiing/snowboarding adventure at Gulmarg.

• If you are lucky enough to find the lakes frozen during winter, take a walk on Dal Lake. But be careful.
• Enjoy white water rafting at Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
• Visit the gardens made by Mughal kings on the banks of the Dal Lake in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountains.
• During the spring season visit Asia's most extensive tulip garden.
• See the endangered Hangul and the snow leopard at the Dachigam National National Park, 12 km from Srinagar.
• In Oct-Nov, you can take home a unique and lifetime experience of saffron cultivation in Pampore, on the outskirts of the city.
• Go fishing in any of the lakes in Srinagar. The license to fish costs about $5 per day during the summer. The resort of "Aharbal" offers excellent fishing opportunities: there's a great waterfall too. "Daksum" is very famous for its scenic mountain beauty and clear, sparkling streams with bountiful catches. Then there's "Frislin" in Pahalgam and Yousmarg to name a few.

• If you are visiting high-altitude lakes (some of the few zero pollution lakes on the planet) don't forget "Tulin Lake" at an altitude of approximately 4000 m above sea level. The 25-km trek starts from Pahalgam. Tulin Lake is just one among the many high-altitude lakes in Kashmir.
• Use the state-owned JKTDC transport whenever you can. They are sincere and reliable.
• Rafting in Pahalgam in Liddar river
• Shankaracharya temple
• Golf club in Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
• You can visit the Shah Hamdan khanqah (place of religious learning), Hazratbal Mosque or dargah, as it is commonly called, and even the Jamia Masjid and see the unique architecture of Kashmir, a confluence of indigenous, Central Asian and Mughal architecture.

Kashmiri handicrafts, shawls and carpets are world-famous. Shahtoos or Ringshawl as it was known was exclusively made by hand in Kashmir and was worn by celebrities and high-profile dignitaries. This shawl is so soft that it can pass through a ring! However, it has been banned by the Government after animal rights campaigners objected because it involves killing a baby antelope in the high regions of Ladakh and making the shawl from its hide.

Although the Shahtoos shawl has been rightly banned it shouldn't stop you from buying the famed Kashmiri Pashmina.

Pashmina is exclusively Kashmiri and a good quality Pashmina shawl (including one that is hand embroidered by Kashmiri artisans) can cost more than US$450.

The intricacies of hand-made Kashmiri carpets are well known. Most take months, some even a couple of years to make. The history of the Kashmiri carpet dates back to the period of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (1341-1385 AD) - the famous Sufi saint of Persia who came to enlighten Kashmir with his spiritual guidance and brought along with him highly skilled artisans through the silk trade route.

Kashmir witnessed a phenomenal rise and growth in all things artistic in the golden reign of Sultan Zain ul Abideen, popularly known as Budshah (Great King) in the 15th century. Emperor Akbar in the 16th century is said to have encouraged the art of carpet weaving by bringing in more skilled artisans to the Kashmir valley.

An original Kashmir carpet can be very expensive but the right one can be as prized or treasured as any work of art.

Rich and redolent with the flavour of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and saffron, Kashmiri food is suitable for all palates. Predominantly non-vegetarian, "Wazwaan", as it is called, is the royal cuisine of Kashmir. As described by the author Salman Rushdie in his book, Shalimar the Clown, Wazwaan is a banquet of 36 courses minimum and 60 courses maximum. It's a preparation of a number of spicy meat dishes served with traditional rice by professional chefs called "Was". Kashmiri wazwaan has its origin in Persia and is almost always served at Kashmiri marriage parties. It also has some interesting vegetarian options like dum-aloo, haak, palak and 'chaman' (cooked cheese). Among the popular non-vegetarian delicacies are curd-based gushtaba, chilli-flavoured rista and roganjosh.

Kashmiris celebrate the first snowfall of the season by socialising over a barbecue. They relax in the cold crisp evenings with a cup of warm kahwa, black tea brewed with cinnamon, cardamom and honey. Also, a perennial favourite is the pink-coloured nun chai made with special salt.

Most hotels in Srinagar serve liquor and other alcoholic beverages, but as most residents of the Kashmir Valley are Muslims, few drink alcohol, themselves.

The past decade of turmoil has left traces in the Valley. If you plan to travel in the Kashmir Valley, it is important that you register with the Foreigners’ Registration unit of the Tourism Department. The registration counters are at Tourist Reception centres at Srinagar Airport, Srinagar City, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam and some other places. At Srinagar Airport there is a kind lady tourist officer who can give you some helpful and safe tour advice.

In case of an emergency, you can contact the nearest tourist police office or a police station. The emergency number of the Police Control Room is 112.

Kashmiris are considered very hospitable people. The Amarnath Yatra in which Hindus annually visit a cave situated deep in high-altitude mountains in Pahalgam (supposedly the abode of the Hindu god Shiva) has been going on peacefully for more than a hundred years and Kashmiris have been known to provide all help to the yatris, sometimes even braving harsh mountain weather, which is not that rare considering it's a high-altitude pilgrimage.

However, Kashmir is an area of conflict, and the danger of being killed or kidnapped by combatants, though lower than in some years past, is not to be taken lightly. It is always best to check for current conditions before you visit.

• Jammu Division
• Ladakh