Srinagar
The Heart of Kashmir
Srinagar Tourism
This heaven on earth rests in the valley of the mighty Himalayas along the banks of the Jhelum River. Mother nature decorated this place so fiercely its beauty has been praised since ancient times. Srinagar is one of the favorite tourist destinations in India and is known for the Mughal gardens, the rare Pashmina products, the unforgettable Shikara rides through Dal Lake and the breathtaking view that one encounter in every direction. The clean air, the lush green, the snowcapped hills, and the refreshing streams can all bewitch you into a trance, and lets you forget the chaos of your daily lives, making a mark on your soul.
When to visit....?
Resting in the Himalayan valley the winters here are really strong. The best time to visit Srinagar would be from April to October that is the whole of the summer and the beginning of the winter. This place does not receive much of the monsoon rain hitting other parts of India.
The summer here stretches from April to September, which is really pleasant and perfect as the green is really thriving in this time of the year making the landscapes even more beautiful. The temperature in summer varies from 14°C to 30°C.
The winter begins with October and ends by March when the temperature goes from -4°C to -15°C.
.
Top things do in Srinagar
1. Wular Lake
39 kilometres from city centre2. Baramulla
25 kilometres from city centre3. Chinar Park
4 kilometres from city centre4. Jamia Masjid
2222 kilometres from city centre5. Khanqah of Shah Hamdan
1 kilometres from city centre6. Shikara Ride
4 kilometres from city centre7. Shankaracharya Temple
4 kilometres from city centre8. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
8 kilometres from city centre9. Hazratbal Shrine
7 kilometres from city centre11. Char Chinar
7 kilometres from city centre12. Shalimar Bagh
10 kilometres from city centre13. Pari Mahal
7 kilometres from city centre14. Nishat Bagh
9 kilometres from city centre15. Chashm-E-Shahi
8 kilometres from city centre16. Dachigam National Park
23 kilometres from city centre17. Nagin Lake
5 kilometres from city centre18. Nehru Garden
5 kilometres from city centre19. Anantnag
52 kilometres from city centre20. City Shopping
2370 kilometres from city centre21. Sri Pratap Singh Museum
2 kilometres from city centre22. Dal Lake
248 kilometres from city centre
How to reach
Srinagar is the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir so it is well connected to other parts of India by all three modes of transportations, by air by road and by rail.
How to Reach by Flight
Sheik AL Alam airport in Srinagar is an international airport and has flights connecting cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. The airport is located just 15 km from the city centrre.
How to Reach by Train
To reach Srinagar by train one has to get to the Jammu Tiwa or the newly opened Udhampur station, which are about 293 km and 229 km respectively. Both these stations are well connected to other major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta etc. Once you get there you can easily hire cabs or public buses that would take you Srinagar.
How to Reach by Bus
The State Government bus network in Srinagar is well connected to all the tourist destinations and are the most economical option to get around. The State buses also connect the Nearest cities as well. There are seasonal bus services to Srinagar intended for Tourists from other major destinations like Delhi, Jammu, Gulmarg Leh etc.
How to Reach by Road
Srinagar has a well-connected road network connecting major cities of India like Delhi (876 km), Chandigarh (646 km), Leh (424 km) and Jammu (258 km). The bus and cab services are well efficient to meet the needs of tourists headed here.
How to travel within
Public bus services cover the major tourist spots, cabs are available for hiring and rickshaws are also available for shorter distances. Shikaras are another enjoyable option to move around in Srinagar as most of the destinations are around the Dal Lake.
Drink & Dine...
The Srinagar cuisine is as unique as its landscape. Some dishes are a part of the lifestyle itself. The variety of dishes are overwhelming that it is not easy to taste all of them, so try to enjoy as much as you can when you are here.
Wazwan: a special occasion meal with 36 dishes (Some of the major restaurants prepare it and if told in advance some Shikara owners will also serve it).
Rogan Josh: A gravy dish made with mutton.
Shab Degh: A dish made with Lamb and turnip.
Seekh Kababs: snack made of meat
Phirni and Kahwa: sweet desserts.
Walnut chutney
Kashmiri Pulao: a Rice dish with dry fruits.
Roghni Chamman: Paneer in hot gravy
Sheer or noon chai: salted tea.
Tsot, Lava, Kulcha: varieties of local breads.
Srinagar Itinerary
Day 1: Early morning walks along the banks of Dal Lake, visit the Mughal garden- Chasam-e-shah, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Pari Mahal and the Tulip Garden. Enjoy shopping in the Srinagar markets in the evening.
Day 2: Visit the Shankaracharya Temple, Juma Masjid in the forenoon. Take a Shikara ride to the Challi point. Enjoy the evening trying the unique cuisine of Srinagar.
Day 3: Take a cab or bus to Gulmarg (about 1.5 hrs away). Enjoy Skiing (some of the finest ski resorts in India) or cable car rides.