Thinking about a Hill station then what a better place to visit than Indian Paradise Jammu & Kashmir. This state has renowned culture, snow covered mountains, sparkling lake, wide spread wildlife sanctuaries and lot more to explore.

01. Srinagar

Recognised as the largest city and capital of Indian union territory, Srinagar is one of the best tourist destinations in India. It is known for its natural environment, houseboats, waterfall, crystal clear lakes, etc. and thus known as “Heaven on Earth”. This city is also known for its traditional handicrafts that reflect the Kashmiri culture and dried fruits.

Srinagar is surrounded by various lakes that include Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake and Manasbai Lake. Dal Lake is famous for their houseboats and most visit lake in the world. Apart from Lakes, the capital is surrounded by seductive nature, majestic mountains, blossoming gardens and orchards that can leave you speechless. Srinagar is popular for its spices and native people are fond of several rice dishes.

02. Gulmarg

 

Also known as “Heartland of Winter sports”, Gulmarg is one of the popular skiing destination, located in the Pir Panjal Range in the western Himalayas. If you love winter sports then you can join their training school and learn. Located at an altitude of 2730 m above the sea level, this town is covered in snow for majority of the year. Best time to visit this tourist spot is between October to June.

This destination is the home to Khelo India Winter Games. You can also take a visit to world’s highest situated green golf course, located in your very own Gulmarg. This destination offers a wonderful slope of flowers and grassland. Gulmarg is popular for handicrafts and there is a downhill market where you can buy carpets, mats and several handmade metal items.

 

03. Pahalgam

This is not a popular hill station of J&k but you might know this hill station as a starting point for annual amaranth yatra, a Hindu shrine in which thousands of people walks to the Amarnath cave temple. This hill station has a rich cover of vegetation and home to many rare, endangered and protected flora and fauna.

Some of the main rare and endangered species is brown bear and musk deer that are protected in Pahalgam. The central flow of Lidder River originating from Kolahoi glacier flows through the Pahalgam which forms a peaceful picnic spot for visitors. It acts as a perfect spot to relax and distress all the city chaos.

 

04. Sonmarg

Another beautiful hill station of Jammu and Kashmir is Sonmarg. This is a tourist spot enhanced with masked Thajiwas glaciers which attracts majority of the visitors. The tourists visit the vantage point for the beautiful view of snow covered scenery and picturesque Kashmir valley. Just a little outside this station, there is a sparkling lake surrounded by alpine flowers and green lush. This lake is known as the Vishansar Lake. This lake is habitat to various species of fish. You can even take the joy of White River Rafting in Sonamarg initiating from Baltal and ending at the Shutkari Bridge.

05. Katra – Vaishno Devi

Speaking of the temples, here is the main attraction of Jammu, the temple of Mata Vaishno Devi. This Temple is opened to all throughout the year. Millions of devotees trek 15 km starting from Katra bazaar to the top of the mountain till they reach Mata Vaishno Devi temple. Many devotees hike on foot while some uses horse or palki’s to climb the mountain. There are multiple vendors sitting and offering refreshment, tea, drinking waters, comfortable sitting, etc. for the trekking devotees.
 

06. Jammu

In the southernmost part of Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu is the major tourist attraction in winters. The best time to visit Jammu is considered to be October to February. It offers a divine natural beauty of shivalik range. It is popular for wood items and shrines of God and Goddesses. Tourist have popularised this place for their handicraft items. In terms of cuisine, Jammu is specialised in Rajput dished. They offer wide array of spices and fried Rajput dishes. Other viewpoints of Jammu include Ranbir Canal, Bahu forts and gardens, Akhnoor, etc.

 

07. Amarnath

Amarnath is one of the most important destinations for the devotees of Lord Shiva. This holy place is an Amaranth cave with naturally formed ice Shivaling which resembles Lord Shiva. Every year millions of tourists all across the world visit the destinations to participate in what is called as Amarnath Yatra. Every year this yatra starts from Pahalgam valley. Best time to visit is between May to September.

 

 

08. BUNGUS VALLEY 

One of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir with vast tourism potential is the valley of Bangus. Lying within the Trans-Himalayan areaBangus is a unique ecological combination comprising a mountain biome, which includes grassland biome with flora at lower altitudes; and Taiga or Coniferous forest. The valley which lies at an altitude of around 10,000 ft. above sea level is in the northern part of district Kupwara within the Handwara sub District. Occupying an estimated area of 300 sq.kms (20x15km) the principal valley locally known as Bodh Bangus (Big Bangus) consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east-west axis. The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the north. A smaller valley known as Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus) lies on the north-eastern side of the main valley. Both the valleys have level green meadows surrounded by low-lying mountains covered with dense Coniferous forests (budloo) and a stream flowing through them.

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

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