Fabulous Srinagar – Must Visit Places In Srinagar

Srinagar, the Venice of the East, is the largest city of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It lies on the banks of the Jhelum River and in the Kashmir Valley. The 31st-most populous city in India is famous for its natural environment, gardens, houseboats, and waterfronts. 

Srinagar, the second-largest metropolitan area in the Himalayas, is one of the most famous and most loved tourist places in the country. Lakes are one of the main attractions including Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake, and Manasbal Lake. All the lakes have some uniqueness attached to them, Wular Lake is among the largest freshwater lakes in Asia and Dal Lake is famous for its houseboats. 

Followed by the lakes are the Mughal gardens including Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains), Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies), the Naseem Bagh, and others. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden also receives tourists every year which was set up in 1969. Well, there are numerous places to visit in Srinagar as it is a very beautiful scenic place but we have listed some of the best places for you to visit on your Srinagar trip. 

Dal Lake

The most visited place in Jammu and Kashmir is the famous Srinagar’s jewel- Dal Lake. It is an urban lake and the second largest in the state. The pride of Kashmir is integral to tourism and recreation in the Kashmir valley. The main attractions are the houseboats and Shikaras in the Lake of Flowers, the Dal Lake.

People awe the colorful Shikaras and houseboats lined up on the shore. The floating market is also one of the best experiences people can feel and get in this serene lake. For staying, tourists can stay in the hotels and visit and enjoy the gardens, lined up on the lake’s shoreline that is almost 15.5 km long. 

The Jewel in the crown of Kashmir looks mesmerizing during sunset and sunrise with the backdrop of the lofty Himalayas. The lake remains open for 24 hours and there are no entry fees as such. Around 3 to 4 hours are required to completely enjoy the gorgeous view of the lake. One can do fishing and see the water plant harvesting too.Dal Lake is easily accessible as it is just 6 km away from the city center in Srinagar.

Tourists can take a taxi or bus from Srinagar’s Airport. As per people who have visited before, the best time to visit Dal Lake is between May and November as the climate is very pleasant at that time of the year. However, Dal Lake is open throughout the year. But during these months the tour becomes more comfortable and you can enjoy and explore the region at its best during Shikara rides and houseboats tours. 

Shankaracharya Temple

Shankaracharya temple is the best place for Lord Shiva’s devotees. The temple also known as the Jyeshteshwara temple is situated on top of the Shankaracharya Hill on the Zabarwan Range in Srinagar. 

The temple at a height of 1,000 feet (300 m) above the valley floor is visited by the Kashmiri Hindus, especially on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, known as Herath in the region. The temple is also related to Buddhists and is considered as a Buddhist icon. The hills on which it is situated has had multiple names which are connected to Persian and Muslim faith. 

The ancient temple and adjacent land is a monument of national importance. Tourists can enjoy trekking, skiing and mountaineering on these hills. The temple remains open from 7 am to 8 pm and it will take around one to two hours inside the temple. The best time to visit the place is between May and September when the weather is pleasant for a comfortable temple tour. 

During these months the region enjoys a calming climate and lush greenery, making the trip and the sight memorable. Tourists can reach Shankaracharya Temple from the bus or by private taxi. It is lying across Nehru Park and on the hill, due to which Pilgrims can trek to the temple from the temple. It is around 19 km away from the Srinagar Airport. 

Shikara Ride

One of the main attractions and the enjoyable experience is Shikara rides. They are the Gondola type lightweight rowing long boats in which riding is the most soothing, calming part of the Srinagar trip. One must take the ride in these boats whenever they visit Srinagar as the pleasurable ride is worth taking around the lake. 

Travelers enjoy the two hour ride from the interior parts of the calm and placid waters of the Dal Lake. Along with the soothing sightseeing tour, people also enjoy shopping by Shikara expeditions. 

Due to this beautiful and memorable experience, tourists visit this place due to which several places have been built in its vicinity. The best time to visit and enjoy shikara rides is in the summer just before the twilight in Dal Lake. To reach Shikara rides, you have to reach Dal Lake as these rides are available there. 

Hot Air Balloon In Srinagar

From April 2022, travelers can enjoy the air balloon which can accommodate four people at a time. For this strict safety measures are taken for the rides. The balloon reaches almost half of the height of Shankaracharya Hill.

The pretty view of the entire Dal Lake is visible from the balloon and riders can enjoy it happily. The dense forest of the Shankaracharya Hill is also visible to the naked eye. Hot Air Balloon rides also make you see the far off places of Srinagar city and villages of Ganderbal District. 

Best time to visit and take a ride in the hot air balloon is in the morning as you can catch the spectacular view of the lofty mountain chains lying on the doesn’t horizon including Mount Mahadev, Mount Harmukh and others.The ticket prices for hot air balloons are 500 rupees for adults and 300 for children. 

Hazratbal Shrine

Hazratbal Shrine is the Islamic holy place in Srinagar. It is popular as the hair strand of Prophet Mohammed is preserved in this sacred shrine.The mosque is decorated with a white-marbled dome structure. There is a glimpse of Mughal architecture in these domes and minaret. This place known as “the relics”, attracts many people and boasts Kashmiri architecture as the shrine influences Kashmiri architecture. 

The sacred site remains open from 9.30 am in the morning to 5.30 pm in the evening and there are no ticket fees to visit this place. If you want to know how hot it is to reach this place then keep reading. The Hazratbal mosque is at a distance of 19 km from the Sheikh-Ul-Alam International Airport. From the main bus stand of Srinagar it is located at a distance of 11 km.

There are taxis and buses available from the airport to the shrine. The best time to visit this place is between April and October as the climate and weather remains pleasant and beautiful for a comfortable trip. The view of Dal Lake is visible from this place and it looks more gorgeous during these months.

Hari Parbat

Hari Parbat holds a high significance for Kashmiri Pandits and is also called Koh-i-Maran. It is a hill overlooking Srinagar and a site of a fort built by the Durrani Empire. The main entrance of the fort is Kathi Darwaza, built of wood and stones. Hari Parbat holds importance for Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs as there is a Hindu temple, mosques, and gurdwara. 

The temple, Sharika temple is enshrined by Goddess Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati. It is most revered. There are two mosques, one dedicated to the Kashmiri saint of the 1500s, Hamza Makhdoom. The other Islamic holy sites are built in the name of Shah Badakshi, constructed along the slopes of the fort. 

The Gurudwara Chatti Patshahi is there which holds a great significance for Sikhs as it is believed to be the brief residence of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Har Gobind. The scenic beauty of Dal Lake is visible from the top of the Hari Parbat. The place is located about 5 km from the city center of Srinagar. From there people can reach Hari Parbat in 20 minutes by car. Tourists can also take local transport such as cabs, taxis and matadors. Buses are also available there.

Sinthan Top

Sinthan Top, a mountain pass, is fast growing as one of the top tourist attractions in the Chenab valley. It is located between South Kashmir’s Breng Valley (the Golden Crown of Kashmir) in the Anantnag district and Chenab valley in the Kishtwar district. This area in the valley is known for its serene beauty and calmness. 

The place is also good for relaxing for tourists who are traveling from Srinagar to Kishtwar or Doda or back. You can also see the areas of both the Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir divisions as it is at the spot called 360 degrees of view. For adventurous people who love to get a thrill, its route is perfect as it requires 37 km of snaky and uphill drive from Daksum.

People can enjoy mountaineering, skiing, and trekking here. Visitors can also visit Lihinwan, and Margan Top in the Margan Valley and Inshan near Sinthan Hill. One can reach Sinthan Hill by car from Srinagar. The drive is almost a 4 to 5-hour drive and offers adventurous hours. Tourists can book deluxe hotels or Government huts between 1500 to 3500 rupees for resting and relaxing. 

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— Jammu & Kashmir Tourism (@JandKTourism) October 29, 2022

Char Chinar

Char Chinar is an island, known as Ropa lank and includes three islands, two of which are covered with beautiful Chinar trees. The place is known as Char Chinar because it is marked by the presence of majestic Chinar trees at the four corners. The first island is Ropa Lank, the Silver Island, and the second Island is Chinar Island, known as Sone Lank, the Gold Island.

The Roph Lank is on the Lakut Dal, and the Sone Lank is situated on the Bod Dal, overlooking the Hazratbal. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of Kashmir within the abode of Chinar trees. Chinar trees, the long-living trees, are found in every village in Kashmir and have been an important part of Kashmir tradition. Visitors won’t find the beauty of Chinar trees anywhere else except for this place. One should go there if visiting Srinagar. 

Yusmarg

Yusmarg, the trekkers’ paradise, is a hill station 47 km south of Srinagar. The name means The meadows of Jesus in Kashmiri have beautiful landscapes, young pine nurseries, green pastures, and exotic lotic and lentic water bodies. Its beauty gets enhanced by Nilnag (famous for its blue water), Doodhganga, and a newly created artificial dam. 

From Nilnang, a small lake there is a trek of 4 km marg for trekkers. Another trek leads to Sang-e-Safed valley, a frozen lake that stays covered in ice throughout the year. As the Yousmar is becoming a famous tourist spot, some new homestays have come up around the area.

The tribe homestay and cafe in the nearest village is gaining eyes as it has a rustic and wooden appearance reflecting Kashmiri architectural heritage. Apart from trekking, tourists can enjoy horse riding, fishing, skiing during winter, and photography. To reach Yousmarg, you can take a bus or car from Charari Sharief town, which is a 2-hour drive. 

Challi Point

Challi Point is one of the popular tourist spots where people love to relax and enjoy an evening with the serene beauty of Srinagar. The point famous among locals is next to Dal Lake on Boulevard road. That means one can easily access the path to Challi Point from Dal Lake and enjoy it when you visit the lake.

The gorgeous view of Dal Lake is available from here, with the Shankaracharya hills at the back. There are food stalls selling seekh kabab and corn for you to treat your hunger with snacks while enjoying the breathtaking and pleasurable evening in the arms of Challi Point. 

Conclusion

The above mentioned places are the best places to cover during your Srinagar trip. Travelers can enjoy these memorable spots by adding these places in your list. As now you know all the routes and places, take your family and friends away from the busy city life and go visit these beautiful places as we have one life to live and enjoy. 

How To Reach Srinagar? 

Srinagar is one of the largest cities in North India, so it is easy to reach Srinagar by flight, train, and road. However, there is no railway line attached to Srinagar. One can reach the largest city of Kashmir by train by reaching the nearest railway in Jammu, nearly 266 km in distance from Srinagar.

By flight, you can reach Srinagar International Airport or Sheikh-Ul-Alam International Airport from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Pune, and many cities in India. If you want to reach Srinagar by road, the city is connected to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu, and others. 

To know about such details in detail, keep reading. 

Srinagar By Flight

By flight, reaching Srinagar is easy and comfortable as many major airlines in India like Indian Airlines and Jet Airways run regular flights. These domestic flights to Srinagar Airport are from Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, and other cities in India. 

Srinagar By Train

As we have mentioned earlier, the nearest railway station to Srinagar is in Jammu around 266 km away from Srinagar, and that railway station lies in Jammu Tawi. This is the main railhead of the region, connected to major cities of the country. 

Srinagar By Road

Srinagar is a tourist-loved city connected to well-maintained networks of roads. The roads are again connected and easily accessed from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. 

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