Srinagar

Houseboats on Dal Lake and Mughal gardens, with the alpine meadows of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg nearby – Kashmir, "paradise on earth".

Srinagar is the summer capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, set at about 1,600 m in the heart of the Kashmir Valley. The Jhelum River runs through the city, Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake lie to the northeast, and the Himalayas and Pir Panjal Range rise all around. Famous for its houseboats, shikara boats and Mughal gardens, it is often called "paradise on earth". The best season is April–October: the tulip garden opens for a limited period in April, May–September offers a cool escape from the summer heat, and October–November brings the finest red chinar foliage; December–March is cold and snowy, when Gulmarg becomes a ski resort. Sightseeing falls into three parts: first, Dal Lake and, along its eastern shore, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal and the Shankaracharya Temple; second, the old city's Jamia Masjid, Khanqah-e-Moula (Shah Hamadan shrine) and Hari Parbat Fort; third, day trips to the surrounding mountains – Gulmarg to the west (about 50 km, with a gondola climbing to nearly 4,000 m), Sonamarg to the northeast (about 80 km) and Pahalgam to the southeast (about 95 km; an overnight stay is recommended), stopping en route at ancient sites such as the Martand Sun Temple. Getting there: Srinagar Airport has flights to Delhi, Mumbai and other cities; the railway now reaches Srinagar, but getting around the city and region is mostly by hired car. Allow 4–6 days. Note: the security situation here is sensitive – in April 2025 there was an attack on tourists near Pahalgam – so be sure to check the latest advisories from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local authorities before you travel, as some sites may close at short notice. Foreigners face restrictions on using prepaid SIM cards locally; dress conservatively at temples and mosques; and always agree on prices for houseboats, shikaras and pony rides in advance.

Top sights

• Dal Lake – The soul of Srinagar, where houseboats, shikara boats and a floating market make up Kashmir's most iconic scene.
• Shalimar Bagh – A Mughal royal garden built by Jahangir for his empress, with terraced water channels and a black stone pavilion, representing the finest o…
• Nishat Bagh – The largest Mughal terraced garden on Dal Lake, backed by the Zabarwan Mountains and facing the lake, with dramatic cascading water terrace…
• Gulmarg – A 'meadow of flowers' mountain resort, with wildflower meadows in summer and, in winter, one of Asia's best-known powder ski fields, about…
• Gulmarg Gondola – One of the world's highest gondolas, rising in two stages to about 3,950 m below Apharwat Peak, with close-up views of the Himalayan snow p…
• Sonamarg – The “Meadow of Gold,” a mountain grassland at the head of the Sind Valley and the gateway to Ladakh, about 80 km from Srinagar.
• Chashme Shahi – A small Mughal garden built around a mountain spring, whose water is said to be good for health. It is easily combined with a visit to Pari…
• Pari Mahal – A seven-terrace garden and academy ruin built by a Mughal prince in the 17th century, with a sunset viewpoint overlooking Dal Lake.
• Hazratbal Shrine – A white marble holy shrine on the north shore of Dal Lake. It houses a relic said to be a hair of the Prophet, making it Kashmir's most sac…
• Shankaracharya Temple – An ancient Shiva temple on the summit of Zabarwan Mountain. Climbing its 243 steps rewards visitors with views over Dal Lake and all of Sri…
• Jamia Masjid, Srinagar – A 14th-century great mosque in the heart of the Old City. Its courtyard arcades, supported by 378 whole cedar pillars, are truly awe-inspir…
• Khanqah-e-Moula – A wooden Sufi shrine on the banks of the Jhelum River. Its exterior is covered in painted wood carvings and papier-mâché lacquer decoration…
• Hari Parbat – A Durrani-era fort on the hilltop north of the Old City. At its base, Hindu, Islamic, and Sikh sacred sites come together, reflecting Kashm…
• Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden – One of the largest tulip gardens in Asia, with hundreds of thousands of tulips blooming in full at the foot of Zabarwan Mountain. It is Kas…
• Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden – A large botanical garden next to the tulip garden, with lakes, lawns, and autumn plane trees. It is a good place to relax with a stroll aft…
• Nigeen Lake – A quiet lake area connected to the northern end of Dal Lake. Its houseboats are high-end and peaceful, with few tourists, earning it the na…
• Char Chinar – A small island in Dal Lake with four large plane trees, one at each corner. It is the classic stop on shikara boat tours of the lake.
• Sri Pratap Singh Museum – Kashmir's most important museum, with collections of Buddhist and Hindu stone sculptures, pashmina shawls, papier-mâché lacquerware, and an…
• Thajiwas Glacier – A glacial valley beside Sonamarg, where you can walk on snow even in summer. It can be reached by pony or on foot in about 3 kilometers.
• Yusmarg – A peaceful meadow ringed by pine forest at the foot of Pir Panjal Mountains. It draws far fewer visitors than Gulmarg and is good for horse…
• Doodhpathri – The “Valley of Milk,” where streams churn white over rocks amid rolling meadows. It has become a popular day-trip destination in recent yea…
• Martand Sun Temple – The ruins of a sun temple built by a Kashmiri king in the 8th century. Its colonnade of massive stone pillars is majestic on a high plateau.
• Avantiswami Temple – The ruins of a 9th-century Vishnu temple, with well-preserved stone carvings on its pillars. It stands right beside the Srinagar–Pahalgam h…
• Wular Lake – One of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, fed by the Jhelum River. Its vast waters, sunsets, and fishing boats create a tranquil scene.
• Manasbal Lake – A deep lake celebrated as the “Jewel of Kashmir's Lakes.” Lotus flowers bloom across it in summer, and the shore holds the ruins of a Mugha…
• Dachigam National Park – A mountain national park on the eastern outskirts of Srinagar, and the last refuge of the endangered Kashmir stag, known as the Hangul.
• Kheer Bhawani Temple – A temple to the goddess most revered by Kashmiri Pandits. The waters of its spring pool are said to change color with the political situati…

Where to eat

• Ahdoos Restaurant – A century-old establishment that started as a bakery in 1918, making it a classic choice for experiencing a Wazwan feas…
• Stream Restaurant – A highly popular restaurant on the banks of Dal Lake, satisfying tourists of all tastes with Wazwan platters and currie…
• Mughal Darbar – An affordable, long-standing Wazwan restaurant on Residency Road, offering generous portions and traditional floor seat…
• Krishna Vaishno Dhaba – A famous pure vegetarian eatery in the Durganag area, popular with both tourists and locals for its Rajma Chawal.
• Lhasa Restaurant – A garden restaurant tucked away in an alley by Dal Lake, perfect for a change of pace from Kashmiri food with Tibetan m…
• Chai Jaai – An English-style tea room on the banks of the Jhelum River, ideal for trying Noon Chai, saffron Kahwa, and Sheermal.