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Famously known as Heaven on Earth, Srinagar sits on the banks of river Jhelum in Jammu & Kashmir. Known for stationary houseboats and gondola-type Shikaras on Dal LakeDal Lake, Srinagar is the dream destination for honeymoon and family holidays. Tourists use Shikaras to see the Floating Vegetable Market and the Mir Bahris — a community living on the lake itself. The houseboats provide a beautiful, unique stay experience. Srinagar is home to India's most exquisite Mughal-age gardens — Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashm-E-Shahi — plus Asia's largest tulip garden. Kashmiri Wazwan cuisine is famous globally — rich in unique fragrant spices. Srinagar is also famous for Kashmiri shawls, apples, and dried fruits from Lal Chowk Market. Heavy snowfall affects connectivity during December to February. Things have improved in recent years regarding the security situation — check conditions before visiting.
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Our editors' pick for the ideal day in Srinagar.
Glide past floating gardens and the famous vegetable market as mist lifts over the mirror-still lake.
Walk through Nishat Bagh's terraced fountains, Shalimar's chinar-lined channels, and Chashm-e-Shahi's natural spring.
Browse Kashmiri shawls, saffron, and walnut-wood carvings. Try Wazwan cuisine — Rogan Josh and Gushtaba.
Return to your heritage houseboat for kahwa tea as the sun sets over the Zabarwan mountains.
The famous Dal Lake is the second-largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir. The mirror-like lake reflects the peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains while the colourful shikaras (gondolas) float around. The houseboats and shikaras are its main attractions.

Shalimar Bagh is the largest of the three Mughal gardens in Srinagar. It is now a public park and is known as the "crown of Srinagar". The chini khanas or arched niches placed behind waterfalls and the chinar trees are the highlights here.

The paramount reason why people come to Srinagar is for the relaxing and memorable Shikara rides. Taking the ride across the scenic Dal Lake at the backdrop of the majestic slow clad Himalaya's is indeed an experience in itself both enjoyable and unparallel.

The Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, located on top of the Shankaracharya Hill, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir. Situated at a height of about 1100 feet on the south-east of the city, this sacred temple offers splendid views of the valley and the snow clad mountains of the Pir Panjal range.

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia which is set in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range in Srinagar. Formerly known as Model Floriculture Center, it overlooks the mesmerising Dal Lake. The Tulip Festival held here is the highlight which attracts tourists from the world over.

Staying in a houseboat amidst pristine waters of the Dal Lake, is one of the most essential things to do in Srinagar. Made in wood and adorned in a typical Kashmir style decor, the houseboats are a perfect way to experience the quintessential local life in the luxurious way.

The Nishat Bagh is a 12 terraced garden which is the second-largest Mughal garden in Kashmir after Shalimar Bagh. It has a splendid Mughal central water channel with several fountains, which is surrounded by tall Chinar trees.

Nigeen Lake is renowned for its pristine waters and stunning ambience. It is located next to Dal Lake but is much smaller in size. It is one of the best places in the city to catch the sunrise and sunset thanks to the beautiful landscape and willow and poplar trees surrounding it.
Hot Air Balloon is now available in Srinagar at the Zabarwan Park. It provides breathtaking view of Dal Lake, Zabarwan Park and the Srinagar city. Each hot air balloon can accommodate 4 people at a time. The ride lasts 10 minutes and goes up to 28-32 feet. There is generally a 1 hour waiting time.

Chashme Shahi is one of the three Mughal gardens in Srinagar. It is a terraced garden dotted with walkways, colourful plants and pools of water. It is famous for its natural spring known as Rupa Bhawani.

The House of Fairies or Pari Mahal is a historic monument placed above the beautiful Chashma Shahi Gardens near Srinagar. A well-laid spacious garden surrounds this structure, which was once a Buddhist monastery and later served as a school of astrology promoted by the eldest son of Shah Jahan, Dara Shikoh.

The Hazratbal Shrine is the holiest Muslim shrine and mosque in Kashmir. It houses a relic known as Moi-e-Muqqadas which is believed to be a sacred hair of Prophet Muhammad's beard. Situated on the banks of Dal Lake facing the Nishat Bagh, it affords a picturesque view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The majestic mountain overlooking the city of Srinagar is called Hari Parbat. Besides the famous Hari Parbat Fort, the mountain also has various Hindu and Muslim shrines and even a Gurudwara here. This park was open to public visitation only In 2014. Today, visitors can set up picnics here. The fort is in turn fortified by mountains and water bodie

A mountain pass in the Pir Panjal Mountain Ranges, Sithan Top is found along the National Highway of Kokernag-Sinthan Top-Kishtwar Road. This pathway connects Jammu and Kashmir. The snow-laden hilltop is lately emerging as a new tourist destination owing to the beautiful views and the idyllic setting. It is also popular for mountaineering, trekking

Char Chinar is an island in the Dal Lake of Srinagar, surrounded by the Chinar trees on all four sides of it. Also known as Char Chinari (char chinari means four sides) and Rupa Lank, it was constructed by Murad Baksh, the brother of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Char Chinar is best explored during a shikara ride in the Dal Lake.