Jammu and Kashmir, often called J&K is a state situated in the far northwest of India. It is so beautiful that it is called heaven on earth, be its valleys or mountains everything that you will see in Jammu and Kashmir is majestically impressive.
Mostly covered with Himalayan mountains it shares its borders with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
The new j&k consists of two geographically and culturally distinct regions –Jammu division and Kashmir division
Jammu and Kashmir is a really wonderful place to visit containing a lot of valleys such as Kashmir valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, and many more.
Here is a list of few places that you can visit in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar
Srinagar is the largest city of Jammu and Kashmir.it is situated in Kashmir valley on the banks of Jhelum river.srinagar is commonly known for its natural environment, Kashmiri handicraft, gardens, waterfalls.
The most famous thing in Srinagar is Houseboats. Most of the tourists come for this one thing.
Key places to visit:-
1. Jhelum River
Jhelum river divides Kashmir into two parts. Jhelum river is called as Vyath in Kashmir. The city of Srinagar is located on both sides of the Jhelum river. The most attractive thing is its nine old bridges, connecting the two divided parts of Srinagar.
2. Lakes
the best part about Srinagar is the wide range of lakes situated around it.the most famous among these lakes is the dal lake.it is mostly visited by the tourists for the houseboats .some other lakes that you can pay a visit to are Nigeen, Anchar, Khushal Sar, and Gir Sar.
3. Hokersar
Hokersar is a wetland situated a few kilometers away from Srinagar. Hokersar is mostly famous for the thousands of migratory birds coming from Siberia and other regions during the winter season. These birds come to the wetlands of Hokersar during September and October and then during the spring.
4. Dachigam National Park
It is located near Srinagar .the literal meaning of Dachigam is ten villages, this name is given in memories of the ten villages that were relocated for its formation.
Best time to visit Srinagar
There is no best time to visit this beautiful place. You can go there on any given day of the year and still get a handful of new experiences. However, I would love to recommend you to visit somewhere between august and November.
How to reach Srinagar
It is connected by national highway 1a and 1d. if you are a railway lover then you get a train to Srinagar very easily. Srinagar also has an airport of its own, so you can also catch a flight.
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Vaishno Devi
Vaishno Devi is also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta, and Vaishnavi. Vaishno Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Vaishno Devi. It is located in Katra within the Jammu division of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Key places to visit in Vaishno Devi
1. Katra
Katra is a very beautiful city located in the Jammu region. It is very famous for its natural environment
2. Trikuta mountains
Trikuta mountains are very beautiful mountains located near Katra.
3. Vaishno Devi Mandir
Vaishno Devi Mandir is the main attraction for millions of tourists every year.
Best time to visit Vaishno Devi
You should visit Vaishno Devi during the religious Vaishno Devi yatra conducted every year.
How to reach Vaishno Devi
You can easily go by bus or train.
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Gulmarg
Gulmarg is situated in the Baramulla district of Jammu region. It is a very famous hill station and the best skiing destination in Jammu and Kashmir and Indian. Gulmarg has been used as a shooting location for many Bollywood movies such as Haider, Highway and Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Key places to visit in Gulmarg
1. Maharani Temple
maharani temple is also known as a Shiv temple. It was built by Maharaja Hari Singh for his wife Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia .this temple is very famous because you can see this temple from all across the Gulmarg. It is situated at a very green and beautiful hilltop.
2. St. mary’s church
The roman catholic St mary’s church was built by British rulers in 1902 in the shepherd’s valley in Gulmarg. St mary’s church was closed for years but was reopened in 2003.
3. Gulmarg Gondola
The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest in the world reaching about 3,980 meters. Gulmarg Gondola is situated between Gulmarg and nearby Apharwat Peak. This is one of the most famous spots for Ski lovers.
Best time to visit Gulmarg
You can visit Gulmarg during any time of the year but winters are the best as you can take part in winter sports and enjoy the snow.
How to reach Gulmarg
You can get a direct bus from Srinagar.
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Amarnath
Amarnath is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir. The cave is surrounded by mountains. All the mountains are covered with snow for all parts of the years which makes it a really beautiful place to visit.the amaranth temple is one of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
Key places to visit in Amarnath
If you are going for amaranth yatra then you shouldn’t be visiting any other place. Make a plan only for amaranth yatra.
Best time to visit Amarnath
The best place to visit is during the summer when Amarnath yatra is conducted.
How to reach Amarnath
Amaranth Yatra is conducted every year.
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Jammu City
Jammu is the biggest city and most visited by tourists in the Jammu region. The city of Jammu is situated at the banks of river Tawi. This beautiful city of Jammu is covered by the great Himalayas in the north making it a really gorgeous city to visit.
Key places to visit Jammu City:-
1. Tawi Bridge:-
Tawi is a river flowing through the Jammu city. this bridge is the main destination of this river. It is very famous among tourists
2. Bahu Fort:-
constructed on the banks of Tawi river bahu fort is one of the most historic places in Jammu and Kashmir. A festival called as bahu Mela is organized twice every year during the navaratras. you should visit this fort during march-April or September-October
3. Amar Mahal Palace:-
Built-in the nineteenth century by raja Amar Singh, Amar mahal palace is now converted into a museum. The biggest attraction of this museum is the golden throne weighing 120 kilograms.
Best time to visit Jammu City:-
Jammu is one of those cities in which you can visit the whole year and still end up with the best experience of your life.
How to reach Jammu City:-
it is very well connected with bus and train
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Patnitop
Patnitop is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a hilltop located in the Udhampur district on the banks of river Chenab. During winter you can enjoy snowfall and adventurous sports here.
Key places to visit in Patnitop
1. Paragliding
you can enjoy this breathtaking adventurous sport in Patnitop. While paragliding you can take a different look at the mountains of Patnitop.
2. Sanasar lake
this lake just doesn’t contain beautiful view but also is a hub of adventurous sports
3. Mountains
during winters all mountains of Patnitop are covered with snow which makes it an excellent place for those seeking for some snow fun
Best time to visit Patnitop
You can visit Patnitop for the whole year, it will be breathtaking. But I will recommend you to visit during winters so you can enjoy the snow and snowfall.
How to reach Patnitop
You can easily reach there from Jammu city
Pahalgam
Pahalgam is a tourist town and a hill station in anantnag district of jammu and Kashmir. It is located at the banks of river lidder.it is very famous for its beautiful valleys and breath taking mountains.
Key places to visit:-
1.kolhoi glacier:-kolhoi glacier is a hanging glacier situated just above lidder valley and below kolhoi peak.
2.betaab valley:- this is one of the most beautiful valley in pahalgam. This valley is names after a bollywood movie shot here named betaab. Betaab valley is located 15 kilometer away from pahalgam.
3.sheikhpora:-sheikhpora is a famous picnic spot ,it is a small village located on apple valley road. It is very famous for its breathtaking scenic beauty and surrounding panoramic view . you can also see holy shrine of aishmuqam here.
Best time to visit:-you can visit pahalgam whole year ,it will be breathtaking but I will recommend you to visit during winters so you can enjoy the snow and snowfall .
How to reach :-you can easily reach there from jammu city
Sonmarg
it is a very beautiful hill station in the district of ganderal . sonmarg means meadow of gold . surrounded by beautiful mountains covered with snow it is the most beautiful place that you will ever see in you life.
Key places to visit:-
1.thajiwas glacier:- it is a glacier located near soanmarg.it is the most popular place among the tourists
2.baltal:-it is a small valley located near soanmarg at the foot of zojila. It is a breathtaking valley with beautiful views.
3.trekking:-soanmarg is a trekking heaven because of the beautiful trekking routes here. You can trek to places like vishansar lake,krishansar lake ,gangabal lake and gadsar lake.
Best time to visit:-you can visit soanmarg whole year ,it will be breathtaking but I will recommend you to visit during winters so you can enjoy the snow and snowfall .
How to reach :-you can easily reach there from shrinagar city
Anantnag
the name anantnag is originated from two words ananta and naga. Ananta is a Sanskrit word meaning infinity and naga is a kashmiri word meaning water spring. Thus word formed is numerous springs which truly defines this city as it has lots of springs.
Key places to visit:-
1.lal chowk:- lal chowk is the city square . lal chowkmis the place where our former prime minister pandit Jawaharlal Nehru raised Indian national flag in 1948,as jammu and Kashmir became a part of india .
2.martand temple:- martand temple is one of the most important and oldest archaeological sites in kashmir.
Best time to visit:-you can visit anantnag whole year ,it will be breathtaking but
How to reach :-you can easily reach there from jammu city
Pulwama
pulwama is a very brautiful city located north of Srinagar .it is called anand of Kashmir meaning delight of Kashmir ,locals calls it dudha kul of Kashmir meaning milk.
Key places to visit:-
1.aharbal falls:-this is a river falling in a valley dense pine and fir trees. This falls is located in the mountain of pir panjal.
2.shikargah:-this is located in the tral region of the pulwama district . it is very beautiful place with a variety of flora and fauna .
3.tarsar and marsar lake:-this is one of the most beautiful treak of Jammu and Kashmir taking to these two beautiful lakes or twin lakes.
Best time to visit:-you can visit Pulwama whole year ,it will be breathtaking
How to reach :-you can easily reach there from Kashmir city
Khilanmarg
it is a small valley near gulmarg.it is site for ski runs and offers a view of the surrounding peaks and Kashmir valley. best time to visit katra is during the vaishno devi. This place is filled with a lot of religious energy during this time of the year
Key places to visit:-
1.alpather lake:-this lake id situated in the foots of the twin apharwat peaks of nun and kun. The lake stays froxen for most part of the year . the view this lake offers is one of its kind.
2.ferozpur nallah:-this is a very equisite mountain stream in khilanmarg. This stream is flowing through two valleys of chinamarg and nurpur
3.the ningli nallah:- the ningli nallah is another mountain stream .this is blessed with beautiful mountains covered with snow and lush green pastures.
Best time to visit:-you can visit khinmarg whole year ,it will be breathtaking but I will recommend you to visit during winters so you can enjoy the snow and snowfall .
How to reach :-you can easily reach there from kashmir city
Katra
katra popularly known as katra vaishno devi is a small town in the reasi district in the state of jammu and Kashmir . katra is situated in the foothills of the trikuta mountains. Trikuta mountains is the place where holy shrine of vaishno devi is located.
Key places to visit:-
1.vaishno devi:- this is one of the most religious place in hindu religion . this is a place that every person should visit once in a lifetime specially hindus.
2.trikuta mountains:- these are the mountains where holy shrine of vaishno devi is located.Apart from this these mountains also contain a lot of beautiful places as well . everyone who loves mountains can have a great time over here.
Best time to visit:- according to me the best time to visit katra is during the vaishno devi yatra conducted every year . this place is something else during this time of the year .
How to reach:- you can easily get a bus from jammu city or you can reach by train.
Bhaderwah
is a small town in the foothills of the Himalayas in the doda district of jammu and Kashmir. This city is also called as mini Kashmir because of the beauty that this place holds.
Best places to visit:-
1.chinta valley:-home to river Chenab this valley hold dense coniferous forests on all sides . everyone who loves nature or mountains this place is a dream destination for you. This place has a lot of picturesque spots.
2.padri:-situated 40 kilometers away from bhaderwah ,padri lies on the chamba road. This place is a idea destination whole year. You can enjoy green during the summers and snow during winter. Skiing during winter and paragliding during summer. You can also go for trekking and horse riding.
3.jai valley:-jai valley is a place which has something for everyone. From beautiful water falls to mountain climbing to one of the best mountain views . this place is a complete package .
Best time to visit:- there is no best time to visit this beautiful place . you can go there at any given day of the year and still get a handful of new experiences .however I would love to recommend you to visit somewhere between august and November.
How to reach :-you can reach by bus from jammu city or get a train.
Aru valley
aru valley is located about 13 km away from pahalgam. If you are someone who wanna go to place away from all the noise of a city where no tourist goes then this is a place for you . a very beautiful valley but not very famous. This place has a lot of treeking options.
Best places to visit:-
1.Sub valleys:- there are a lot of very small valleys in this region you can visit and enjoy
2.trekking:- there are a lot of routes in aru valley. You can choose the one that fits your schedule and enjoy.
- bollywood destinations:- many movies have been filmed here . if you are someone who love movies then you can go to those places and live some of the most iconic movies again. One of the most famous films filmed here was salman khan’s bajrangi bhaijaan.
Best time to visit:- you should come during summers to enjoy this place to the fullest .however if you are planning to visit during winter it’s not a bad idea either . this place still holds a lot for you.
How to reach:- you can reach here from pahelgam which is very well connected to most part of Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir are definitely heaven on earth and everyone should visit Jammu and Kashmir once in their lifetime.
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