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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
[[File:Kashmir Spring.jpg|thumb|[[Kashmir Valley]] during the spring season]]
{{Travel guide|date=December 2020}}
[[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] is home to several valleys such as the [[Kashmir Valley]], [[Chenab Valley]], Sindh Valley and Lidder Valley. Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop and Jammu. Every year, thousands of Hindu [[pilgrim]]s visit holy shrines of [[Vaishno Devi]] and [[Amarnath Temple|Amarnath]] which has had significant impact on the state's economy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200709130350.htm | work=Online edition of The Hindu|title=Amarnath Board to study yatra impact on Kashmir economy | access-date=6 June 2009|location=Chennai, India|date=13 September 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Gulmarg Gondola, Cable Car.JPG|thumb|Gulmarg Gondola, Cable Car]]
[[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] is a union territory of India locked in Himalayan Mountains. [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] is home to several Valleys such as the [[Kashmir Valley]], [[Chenab Valley]], [[Sindh Valley]] and [[Lidder Valley]]. Some major tourist attractions in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] are [[Srinagar]], the [[Shalimar Gardens (Jammu and Kashmir)|Mughal Gardens]], [[Gulmarg]], [[Pahalgam]], [[Patnitop]], [[Sanasar]], [[Mansar Lake|Mansar]], [[Surinsar Lake|Surinsar]], [[Bhaderwah]], [[Jantroon (Dhar)]], [[Jai Valley]], [[Chinta Valley]], [[Akhnoor]]. Kashmir is also known as [[Switzerland]] of Asia.


Kashmir Valley is one of the top tourist destinations of India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200903181221.htm|work=Online edition of The Hindu|title=Foreign tourists flock Kashmir|access-date=18 March 2009|location=Chennai, India|date=18 March 2009}}</ref> [[Gulmarg]], one of the most popular [[ski resort]] destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green [[golf course]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119332713217271534?mod=googlenews_wsj|title=Fairway to Heaven|author=Cris Prystay|date=26 October 2007|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> The decrease in violence in the union territory has boosted the territory's economy, specifically tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/news/Tourists-arrival-gives-boost-to-J-K-economy-news-jm3v4cihjai.html|title=Tourists arrival gives boost to J-K economy|work=Sify}}</ref>
Within the city of Srinagar are Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Botanical Garden, Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashmeshahi Bagh, Parimahal, Hazrat Bal Dargah, Shankaracharya Hill. Places to visit in the city can be visited in one day.


Jammu and Kashmir is also famous for its scenic beauty, flower gardens, apple farms and more. It attracts tourists for its unique handicrafts and the world-famous [[Kashmir shawl|Kashmiri Shawls]].
==Administrative divisions==
[[File:Vaishno.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The [[Vaishno Devi shrine]] attracts millions of Hindu devotees every year, located in Jammu Division.]]
*[[Jammu Division]] is known for its temples, particularly The Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra which is visited by over 1 crore (10 million) pilgrims every year,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/vaishno-devi-pilgrimage-close-to-5-million/|title=Vaishno Devi pilgrimage close to 5 million|work=dailyexcelsior.com}}</ref> making Jammu the most visited part of Jammu and Kashmir State.


==Major attractions==
[[File:Dal LakeVR.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Shikaras on [[Dal Lake]] in Kashmir Valley.]]
=== Gulmarg ===
*[[Kashmir Valley]] is visited for its gardens, lakes, and pristine streams and landscapes. Kashmir Valley consists of many ancient temples and shrines which makes it an important site for [[Hindus]] and [[Buddhists]].
{{excerpt|Gulmarg|Tourism}}


==Tourist attractions==
=== Jammu ===
[[File:Gulmarg by muzammil .jpeg|thumb|Gulmarg view]]
[[File:Jammu city.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Jammu]]
{{Excerpt|Jammu|Tourism|paragraphs=1}}
*[[Jammu]] &mdash; the winter capital of the union territory
*[[Srinagar]] &mdash; the summer capital of the union territory, set around Dal Lake, with its floating houseboats.
*[[Gulmarg]] &mdash; Skiing and India's highest gondola.
*[[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir|Katra]]&mdash; in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains and home of the holy Mata Vaishno Devi shrine
*[[Pahalgam]] &mdash; a calm and serene place offering multiple trekking routes. The starting point of Amarnath Yatra.
*[[Patnitop]] &mdash; a small hill station in Jammu.
*[[Kishtwar]] locked between [[Himalayas]] and known for [[Saffron]] and [[Sapphire]].
*[[Bhaderwah]] &mdash; a notable hill station in Jammu.
*Amar Mahal is a palace on the banks of the Tawi river.
* [[Jantroon (Dhar)]] — located in [[Doda district]] of [[Chenab Valley]].


==Overview==
=== Pahalgam ===
[[File:Pahalgam Valley.jpg|thumb|View of Pahalgam Valley]]
{{Main|Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus}}
{{Excerpt|Pahalgam}}


=== Sonmarg ===
Before militancy intensified in 1989, tourism formed an important part of the Kashmiri economy and Kashmir was the favorite destination for [[Bollywood]]. Kashmir had 19 cinema halls which were closed due to rising Terrorism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kashmir-begins-to-attract-bollywood-again-but-cinemas-still-shut-due-to-militancy-fears/articleshow/47568100.cms|title=Kashmir begins to attract Bollywood again, but cinemas still shut due to militancy fears|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=7 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thereel.scroll.in/824328/kashmir-has-lost-its-cinema-halls-but-not-its-love-for-the-movies|title=Kashmir has lost its cinema halls but not its love for the movies}}</ref> The tourism economy in the Kashmir valley was worst hit. However, the holy shrines of Jammu continued to remain popular pilgrimage and tourism destinations. Every year, thousands of Hindu [[pilgrim]]s visit holy shrines of [[Vaishno Devi]] and [[Amarnath Temple|Amarnath]] which has had significant impact on the state's economy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200709130350.htm | work=Online edition of The Hindu|title=Amarnath Board to study yatra impact on Kashmir economy | access-date=6 June 2009|location=Chennai, India|date=13 September 2007}}</ref>
{{Excerpt|Sonmarg|Tourism}}


=== Srinagar ===
Tourism in the Kashmir valley has rebounded in recent years and in 2009, the state became one of the top tourist destinations of India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200903181221.htm|work=Online edition of The Hindu|title=Foreign tourists flock Kashmir|access-date=18 March 2009|location=Chennai, India|date=18 March 2009}}</ref> [[Gulmarg]], one of the most popular [[ski resort]] destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green [[golf course]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119332713217271534?mod=googlenews_wsj|title=Fairway to Heaven|author=Cris Prystay|date=26 October 2007|work=WSJ}}</ref> The decrease in violence in the state has boosted the states economy specifically tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/news/Tourists-arrival-gives-boost-to-J-K-economy-news-jm3v4cihjai.html|title=Tourists arrival gives boost to J-K economy|work=Sify}}</ref> It was reported that 7.36 lakh tourists visited Kashmir in 2010 including 23,000 foreigners. In 2011, the number of tourist arrivals in Kashmir touched the mark of 10 lakh.<ref>{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmjW19EY-Mw]|title=NDTV News report|work=youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/welcome-to-jammu-and-kashmirs-new-tourist-hot-spot-108812|title=Welcome to Jammu and Kashmir's new tourist hot-spot|author=NDTV Correspondent|date=29 May 2011|work=NDTV.com}}</ref>
[[File:Srinagar pano.jpg|thumb|Panorama of Srinagar]]
{{Excerpt|Srinagar|Tourism|paragraphs=1,2,3,4}}


==Transportation==
=== Verinag ===
{{Excerpt|Verinag}}
{{Main|Srinagar International Airport|Jammu Airport}}
===By plane===
[[File:Lapangan terbang Srinagar.jpg|thumb|[[Srinagar International Airport]]]]
Flights operate to [[Jammu]] and [[Srinagar]]. [[Air India]], [[Air Asia]], [[GoAir]], [[Indigo Airlines]] and [[SpiceJet]] operated in the state.


===By train===
== Transport ==
[[File:Lapangan_terbang_Srinagar.jpg|thumb|View of Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport]]
The primary methods of transport in Jammu and Kashmir are by road and air. It has access to the rest of India through the [[Banihal]] road tunnel near [[Qazigund]] on national highway [[National Highway 1A (India)|NH 1A]] and through [[National Highway 1B (India, old numbering)|NH 1B]] that passes through [[Sinthan top|Sinthan pass]] and [[Kishtwar]].


Jammu and Kashmir has 2 civil airports. The [[Jammu Airport]] and the [[Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport]] in [[Srinagar]]. They receive direct flights from [[New Delhi]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Bengaluru]].
[[File:Kashmir railway line near Banihal railway station.jpg|thumb|Banihal Railway station.]]
The last stop on the railway line north is [[Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station]], where you can catch onward buses and hire SUVs/MUVs (Tata Sumo / Toyota Innova/ Mahindra Scorpio). However it is better to get down in Jammu and catch a taxi from there as these are more readily available.


Jammu and Kashmir has a {{convert|119|km|abbr=on|0}} long modern [[Jammu–Baramulla line|railway]] line that started in October 2009 and connects Baramulla in the western part of the valley to Srinagar and [[Qazigund]]. It further links the Kashmir Valley to Banihal across the Pir Panjal mountains through the new {{cvt|11.215|km}} long [[Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel]] or Banihal rail tunnel from 26 June 2013. Banihal railway station will be linked to the rest of India in another few years as the construction of the railway line from Jammu to Banihal progresses steadily.
The [[Jammu–Baramulla line]] is a railway line being built in India to connect the state of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. The Project officially coded USBRL (Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link) starts from the city of Udhampur, 55 kilometres (34&nbsp;mi) north of Jammu, and travels for 290 kilometres (180&nbsp;mi) to the city of Baramulla on the northwestern edge of the Kashmir Valley. The route crosses major earthquake zones, and is subjected to extreme temperatures of cold, as well as inhospitable terrain, making it an extremely challenging engineering project.

===By Bus===
There are two ways to get in by land - via [[Jammu]] and up to [[Srinagar]] or via [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] and up to [[Leh]].
[[File:Elena 6 oct 2009.JPG|thumb|Khardungla 18380ft.]]

===Transportation within===
[[File:Sanji Chhat helipad vaishno devi.JPG|thumb|Sanji Chhat helipad vaishno devi]]
* '''Buses''' are operated by J&K SRTC to most points around the state. They offer package tour to Gulmarg, Shonmarg, Yusmarg, Wular lake, City tour, etc. There is Tourist information center, where one get the tickets plus info.
* '''4 wheel drive jeeps''' are quicker, a little more expensive and reach more locations. Private hire jeeps are also available.

==Tourist places==

===Gulmarg===
{{Main|Gulmarg}}
[[Gulmarg]] is well known for its natural environment and it is counted as one of unique tourist destinations in the India.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} Gulmarg is surrounded by dense forest. This place has a highland golf course.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} There is a special Gondola ride(ropeway) from Gulmarg.

===Vaishno Devi===
{{Main|Vaishno Devi}}
The town of Katra, which is close to [[Jammu]], contains the Vaishno Devi shrine. Nestling on top of the Trikuta Hills at a height of 1700 m is the sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, the mother goddess. At a distance of 48&nbsp;km from Jammu, the cave is 30 metres long and just 1.5 metres high. At the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to the three forms of the mother goddess — Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati, which is manifested as Vaishno Devi. Pilgrims start trekking to the cave temple, which is 13&nbsp;km from Katra, enter in small groups through a narrow opening and walk through ice waters to reach the shrines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/introduction.aspx|title=Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine|website=maavaishnodevi.org }}</ref>

===Sonmarg===
{{Main|Sonmarg}}
[[File:Sonmarg Valley.JPG|thumb|Sonmarg Valley]]
The way to reach Sonmarg or the Meadow of the gold is from the Sindh Valley. This valley also shows more amazing facet in Kashmir. Sonmarg is located at an altitude of around 2730 meters from the sea level; it has snow-covered mountains as its backdrop against the sky. The Zozila path which is one of the deadliest roads on the earth can be travelled from here.

===Raghunath Temple===
{{Main|Raghunath Temple}}
Raghunath Temple is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shri Rama. All the inner walls of this temple are covered with gold, on three sides. Galleries of this temple are covered with ‘ Saligrams’. The other surrounding temples are related to other gods from the Ramayana. This temple is located in the centre or we can say in the heart of Jammu.

===Verinag===

Verinag is the first town when you enter to Kashmir valley. It is particularly known as Gateway of Kashmir and known for being near the source of river Jhelum.

== In Kashmir Valley ==
{{Main|Kashmir Valley}}
[[File:Gulmarg-Gondala.JPG|thumb|right|Skiing is popular in Gulmarg, showing cable car in a snow clad mountain.]]
[[File:Shikara In A Row.JPG|thumb|Shikara In A Row]]
*[[Vernag|Vernag Spring and Mughal Garden]]- A freshwater spring and a Mughal garden next to it, spring is chief source of [[Jhelum River]].
* [[Amarnath temple]] - pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees of [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]].
*[[Srinagar]] - Summer Capital of Jammu and Kashmir, a popular hill station
**[[Dal lake]] - a lake in Srinagar, with house boats called [[shikara|shikharas]].
**[[Manasbal Lake]]
**[[Shalimar Gardens (Jammu and Kashmir)|Shalimar Gardens]]—Mughal Garden
**[[Nishat Bagh|Nishant Gardens]]-Mughal Garden
**[[Chashme Shahi]]- Mughal Garden
**[[Pari Mahal]]- old monument of Pari Mahal, one can have full view of [[Dal Lake]].
** [[Shankaracharya Temple]]- Ancient Temple of Lord [[Shiva]]
** [[Hari Parbat]]- Ancient Temple of Goddess Sharika Bhagwati and an old fort on this hill.
**[[Kheer Bhawani]] Temple
*[[Martand Sun Temple]] - a [[Kashmiri Hindu]] temple dedicated to [[Surya]] (the chief [[solar deity]] in [[Hinduism]]) and built during the 8th century CE. ''Martand'' is another [[Sanskrit]] name for the [[Hindu]] Sun-god. Now in ruins, the temple is located five miles from [[Anantnag]].
*[[Gulmarg]] - Popular hill station and skiing destination.
*[[Pahalgam]] - Hill station
*[[Betaab Valley]]- A lush green valley 06&nbsp;km from [[Pahalgam]] where the movie [[Betaab]] was shot.
* [[Sonmarg]] - Hill station
* [[Yusmarg]] - Hill station
* [[Aru, Jammu and Kashmir|Aru]] - scenic valley
* [[Lolab Valley]] - Least disturbed camping site and lush green valley
* Eco-tourism places:[[Gurez]], [[Bangus Valley]].
*[[Aharbal]] -Hill Station

== In Jammu ==
{{Main|Jammu Division}}
[[File:Paragliding in Sanasar.jpg|thumb|Paragliding in Sanasar]]
[[File:Vaishno.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Vaishno Devi shrine]]]]
*[[Vaishno Devi]] - [[Hindu]] shrine.
*[[Patnitop]] - Hill station
*[[Poonch (town)|Poonch]]
*[[Sanasar]]
*Eco-tourism places: Mantalai and [[Shivkhori]]
*[[Bhimgarh Fort]]
*Ramnagar Fort in [[Udhampur District]]
*[[Mansar Lake]] with its length more than a mile and width half-a-mile, is a very attractive lake in the midst of lusting greeneries surrounded by forest-covered hills. It is considered as a very holy site known from mythological periods sharing the sanctity and legacy of Mansa Sarovar. It is a very popular base of tourists.
==In Chenab region==
{{main|Chenab_valley#Tourist destinations}}
Chenab region is also known as [[Chenab Valley]] which includes following tourist destinations:
*[[Bhaderwah|Bhaderwah Valley]], located in [[Doda district]] is a famous tourist destination of [[Chenab Valley]].
*[[Jai Valley]], located in [[Bhaderwah]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].
*[[Chinta Valley]], also located in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir.
*[[Jantroon (Dhar)]] are the numbers of meadows located at the higher reaches of [[Thathri]] subdivision of [[Doda district]].
*[[Padri Top]], is the group of meadows, located in Bhaderwah.
*[[Bimal Nag]], is a meadow located in [[Drabshalla]] tehsil (subdistrict) of [[Kishtwar district]].
*[[Mughal Maidan]], a tourist destination in Kishtwar district.
*[[Chatroo]], famous for it small lake, is a tourist destination in Kishtwar district.
*[[Sinthan Pass]], located in the higher reaches of Kishtwar district on Kishtwar-Anantnag road.
*[[Bhal Padri]], a beautiful meadow located in [[Gandoh (Bhalessa)]].
*[[Lal Draman]], a scenic tourist destination in Doda district.
*[[Dessa Valley]], located in Doda district.

==See also==
{{Portal|India}}
*[[Aharbal]]
*[[Dal lake]]
*[[Gangabal]]
*[[Gulmarg]]
*[[Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*[[Hokersar|Hokersar Wetland]]
*[[Kausar Nag]]
*[[Kukernag]]
*[[Mughal Road]]
*[[Neelum Valley]]
*[[Pahalgam]]
*[[Sonamarg]]
*[[Yusmarg]]


== References ==
== References ==
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* [http://www.jksrtc.co.in/ Official website of J&K State Road Transport Corporation]
* [http://www.jksrtc.co.in/ Official website of J&K State Road Transport Corporation]
* [http://www.airintourism.com/ Blogging site of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism]
* [http://www.airintourism.com/ Blogging site of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism]
* [https://www.holidaymoods.in/kashmir-tour-package Jammu and Kashmir Tourism]



{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
{{Tourism in India}}
{{Tourism in India}}

''This article incorporates material from the [[Wikivoyage]] article "Jammu and Kashmir", which is licensed under the [[WP:CC-BY-SA|Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License]] but not under the [[Wikipedia:Text of the GNU Free Documentation License|GFDL]].''


[[Category:Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir| ]]
[[Category:Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir| ]]

Revision as of 18:39, 6 December 2020

Kashmir Valley during the spring season

Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Chenab Valley, Sindh Valley and Lidder Valley. Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop and Jammu. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had significant impact on the state's economy.[1]

Kashmir Valley is one of the top tourist destinations of India.[2] Gulmarg, one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green golf course.[3] The decrease in violence in the union territory has boosted the territory's economy, specifically tourism.[4]

Jammu and Kashmir is also famous for its scenic beauty, flower gardens, apple farms and more. It attracts tourists for its unique handicrafts and the world-famous Kashmiri Shawls.

Major attractions

Gulmarg

This section is an excerpt from Gulmarg § Tourism.[edit]
Domestic tourists at Gulmarg

According to CNN, Gulmarg is the "heartland of winter sports in India" and was rated as Asia's seventh best ski destination.[5][6] The town is accessible from Srinagar by road via Tangmarg.

The road climbs uphill in the last 12 kilometres to Gulmarg passing through forests of pine and fir.[7][8][9] Winter sports like skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding and heli-skiing take place on the slopes of Mount Apharwat reachable by a Gondola lift.[10]

Jammu

Aerial view of Jammu
This section is an excerpt from Jammu § Tourism.[edit]
Tourism is the largest industry in Jammu city. It is also a focal point for the pilgrims going to Vaishno Devi and Kashmir valley as it is second last railway terminal in North India. All the routes leading to Kashmir, Poonch, Doda and Laddakh start from Jammu city. So throughout the year, the city remains full of people from all the parts of India. Places of interest include old historic palaces like Mubarak Mandi Palace, Purani Mandi, Rani Park, Amar Mahal, Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, Karbala, Peer Meetha, Old city.

Pahalgam

View of Pahalgam Valley
This section is an excerpt from Pahalgam.[edit]

Pahalgam (Urdu pronunciation: [pɛhɛlɡɑːm]), known as Pahalgom (Kashmiri pronunciation: [pəhəlʲɡoːm]; lit. 'village of shepherds' in Kashmiri)[11] is a town and a notified area committee, near Anantnag city in the Anantnag district of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[12][13][14][15][16] It is a popular tourist destination and hill station. Its lush green meadows and pristine waters attract thousands of tourists from all over the world each year.[17] It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) from Anantnag on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 m). Pahalgam is the headquarters of one of the eleven tehsils of Anantnag district.

Pahalgam is associated with the annual pilgrimage to the shrine Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari, located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Pahalgam. The town is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the months of July–August, receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists. Because of its religious significance and role as a base camp, the town attracts 70% of visitors to the valley.[18] This flood of tourists overwhelms some of the local infrastructure, especially waste management in the town.[18]

Sonmarg

This section is an excerpt from Sonamarg § Tourism.[edit]

Sonamarg provides glaciers like kalahoi Peak & trekking routes leading to Vishansar Lake, Krishansar Lake, Gangabal Lake and Gadsar Lake in the Himalayas, which are stocked with snowtrout and brown trout.[19] The Sind River meanders here and abounds with trout and mahseer. Ponies can be hired for a trip up to Thajiwas glacier, in the summer. The Yatra to the nearby Amarnath Temple begins in Sonamarg.

Baltal, 15 km east of Sonamarg, is a valley that lies at the foot of the Zoji La pass. Trekkers can also reach the city of Leh—known as "the rooftop of the world"—by crossing over the Zoji La.

The Jammu and Kashmir tourism department organizes river rafting tournaments at Sonamarg throughout the year, which has recently seen the participation of teams from abroad.[20]

Srinagar

Panorama of Srinagar
This section is an excerpt from Srinagar § Tourism.[edit]

Srinagar is one of several places that have been called the "Venice of the East".[21][22][23] Lakes around the city include Dal Lake – noted for its houseboats – and Nigeen Lake. Apart from Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake and Manasbal Lake both lie to the north of Srinagar. Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia.

Srinagar has some Mughal gardens, forming a part of those laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent. Those of Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Shalimar Bagh; the Naseem Bagh. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in the city, set up in 1969.[24] The Indian government has included these gardens under "Mughal Gardens of Jammu and Kashmir" in the tentative list for sites to be included in world Heritage sites.

The Sher Garhi Palace houses administrative buildings from the state government.[25] Another palace of the Maharajas, the Gulab Bhavan, has now become the Lalit Grand Palace hotel.[26]

The Shankaracharya Temple lies on a hill top in the middle of the city.[27]

Verinag

This section is an excerpt from Verinag.[edit]
Snow-clad view of Verinag Garden

Verinag (/ˈveɪriːnɑːɡ/) is a town named after and famous for the Verinag spring and Mughal garden, near Anantnag city in the Anantnag district of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is also called "gateway of Kashmir" and is a notified area committee with tehsil status (Shahabad Bala Verinag) and is about 26 kilometers away from Anantnag and approximately 78 kilometres south-east from Srinagar which is the summer capital of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Verinag is also the first tourist spot of Kashmir Valley when travelling by road from Jammu, the winter capital of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir towards Srinagar. There is an octagonal stone basin at Verinag Spring and an arcade surrounding it which were built by Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1620 A.D. Later, a beautiful garden next to this spring, was laid out by his son Shah Jahan. This spring is known to never dry up or overflow. Verinag Spring is also the major source of river Jhelum. Verinag Spring and Mughal Arcade surrounding it is officially recognized by Archaeological Survey of India as a Monument of National Importance.[28]

Verinag spring is the main source of River Jehlum, (vyeth in local Kashmiri language) which flows throughout the valley of Kashmir and finally enters into Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Transport

View of Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport

The primary methods of transport in Jammu and Kashmir are by road and air. It has access to the rest of India through the Banihal road tunnel near Qazigund on national highway NH 1A and through NH 1B that passes through Sinthan pass and Kishtwar.

Jammu and Kashmir has 2 civil airports. The Jammu Airport and the Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar. They receive direct flights from New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Jammu and Kashmir has a 119 km (74 mi) long modern railway line that started in October 2009 and connects Baramulla in the western part of the valley to Srinagar and Qazigund. It further links the Kashmir Valley to Banihal across the Pir Panjal mountains through the new 11.215 km (6.969 mi) long Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel or Banihal rail tunnel from 26 June 2013. Banihal railway station will be linked to the rest of India in another few years as the construction of the railway line from Jammu to Banihal progresses steadily.

References

  1. ^ "Amarnath Board to study yatra impact on Kashmir economy". Online edition of The Hindu. Chennai, India. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  2. ^ "Foreign tourists flock Kashmir". Online edition of The Hindu. Chennai, India. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  3. ^ Cris Prystay (26 October 2007). "Fairway to Heaven". The Wall Street Journal.
  4. ^ "Tourists arrival gives boost to J-K economy". Sify.
  5. ^ "Kashmir ski paradise beckons". CNN. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Gulmarg rated Asia's seventh best ski resort". Daily Bhaskar.
  7. ^ Mitra, Swati (2013). Jammu & Kashmir: Travel Guide. Eicher Goodearth Limited. pp. 30–36. ISBN 978-93-80262-45-1.
  8. ^ Chaturvedi, B.K. (2002). Tourist Centers Of India. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-7182-137-2.
  9. ^ Lovell-Hoare, Sophie; Lovell-Hoare, Max (1 July 2014). Kashmir: Jammu. Kashmir Valley. Ladakh. Zanskar. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 208–11. ISBN 978-1-84162-396-2.
  10. ^ "Gulmarg". Official Website of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  11. ^ Betts, Vanessa; McCulloch, Victoria (2014). Footprint Delhi & Northwest India. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 158. ISBN 9781910120866.
  12. ^ "Vale of Kashmir | valley, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir | union territory, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir summary". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Kashmir | Region, Indian subcontinent". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Kashmir summary". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Pahalgam: Valley of paradise". Bangalore Mirror. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013.
  18. ^ a b Bashir, Subzar; Goswami, Subhrangsu (1 January 2016). "Tourism Induced Challenges in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Hill Towns: Case of Pahalgam". Procedia Environmental Sciences. Waste Management for Resource Utilisation. 35: 77–89. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.048. ISSN 1878-0296.
  19. ^ Petr, T., ed. (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia. Rome: FAO. p. 72. ISBN 92-5-104309-4.
  20. ^ "International Rafting Championship at Sonmarg". groundreport.com. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  21. ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald – Google News Archive Search". google.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  22. ^ Holloway, James (13 June 1965). "Fabled Kashmir: An Emerald Set Among Pearls". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  23. ^ The Earthtimes (24 September 2007). "Can Kashmir become 'Venice of the East' again? | Earth Times News". Earthtimes.org. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  24. ^ "Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden". discoveredindia.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  25. ^ "Places of Interest". Government of Jammu & Kashmir. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  26. ^ Saxton, Aditi (25 August 2011). "One hundred years of splendour". India Today. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  27. ^ "Shankaracharya Temple". jktdc.in. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014.
  28. ^ "List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Jammu & Kashmir – Archaeological Survey of India". asi.nic.in. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Jammu and Kashmir.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
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