The summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar is considered as -heaven on earth.- It is famous for its lakes, houseboats, gardens and handicrafts. It is a mix of history, mystery, beauty and adventure, all in one place. Often referred to as the -Switzerland of India.- Srinagar is also known as a well-known honeymoon destination in India.
Tourism is known to have suffered a lot in the state due to continuous terrorist as well as secessionist activities, which often lead to an unsafe environment in the valley. However, the number of tourists that had fallen earlier, has seen considerable improvement in the past few years.
Once in the city, the beauty of the gardens from the Mughal era, Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh will definitely fill up your senses. The massive Himalayas, the picturesque valley of flowers, peaceful lakes, surrounded by lush green coniferous forests, beckon tourists to Srinagar.
Srinagar lies on the banks of the River Jhelum and is situated in the Kashmir valley.
rinagar is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is land of exquisite beauty. With beautiful gardens, placid lakes and the breathtaking Himalayas, Srinagar is an abiding lure.
fter a prolonged period of disturbances, peace seems to have come to prevail in the region. And the Heaven on Earth beacons to the travelers of the world with its full glory. Enjoy the nature or engage inn adventures - Srinagar offer the opportunity for whatever you want to do.
Travel.mapsofindia brings you complete information on how to reach Srinagar:
By Air:
The Srinagar Airport serves both as the domestic as well as international airport of the region. The domestic airport is serviced regularly by several private and public airlines, which connect the city to important cities in India, such as Delhi and Mumbai and the International flights terminal connects the region to world destinations.
By Road:
An extensive road network joins Srinagar to important cities in J&K and the major cities of North India, including Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu, Leh, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Public buses and taxis are the easiest ways to travel around in Srinagar.br />
By Rail:
The nearest Railway Station to Srinagar is in Jammu, central to the entire region. All the major Indian cities are linked to Jammu by trains. The Srinagar Railway Station is a part of the Kashmir Railway project, which once completed will connect the city to the rest of the country.
By Cable Car :
Srinagar uses Cable cars or the Gondolas as a local form of transport. After the Gulmarg Gondola, a 594m cable car was inaugurated in December 2013 for people to travel to the Sufi saint Makhdum Sahib-s shrine on Hari Parbat. Best Time to Visit
By Boat:
The most famous boats, the shikara of is a local mode of transport as well as a form of tourism for the natives.
Basically, Srinagar is a cooler city as compared to the rest of India, as it-s located at high levels of elevation and is also surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides. Srinagar has cold winters, during which it experiences snowfall, while its summers are warmer. The temperatures may vary from the lowest -19.9°C (below freezing levels) up to a maximum of 24°C. Tourists are advised to plan their holiday accordingly. You must visit during winters if you wish to enjoy the snowfall in the valley and the snow-covered mountains. But, to enjoy the beauty of the valley in full bloom, avoid the peak winters and plan a visit in between extreme summer and winter time. The best time to visit Srinagar is from May to November.
A number of tour packages can be availed for your stay and travel in Srinagar. Your expenditure may vary from Rs 5,500 for a 3-day tour to Rs 12,500 for a 5-day tour, excluding the travel expenses.
You can hire a houseboat for a night stay at a price ranging between Rs 1,800 up to Rs 3,500 for a couple. A shikara ride in the Dal Lake could cost you from Rs 150 during off season up to Rs 500 during peak season. Popular Items
Though Srinagar has a lot to offer, here are a few things that you can-t leave before experiencing:
Srinagar offers a wide range of accommodation options, ranging from five-star to low-budget hotels, from resorts to lodges, from rest houses to government guesthouses. Plan your stay beforehand, especially if you-re planning a trip during the peak season. Try not to fall for fake travel agents and grab the right deal for your enjoyable stay.
You can plan you trip covering Srinagar in maximum five days and move on to nearby areas to explore the valley fully. Eating out Typical Kashmiri cuisine is a delight for epicureans. Non-vegetarian options are much more as compared to vegetarian options. Kashmiri food is spicy, and has an excessive use of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and saffron, which add to the food-s deliciousness.
Some of the famous yummy delights are:
Some of the eateries that you can try out are:
Shopping in Srinagar can be an unforgettable experience, due to the rich handicrafts of the region. From pashmina shawls, silk fabrics, copperware, willow baskets, papier-mache products to hand-woven carpets, there-s something for everyone to buy and treasure.
Some of Srinagar-s best shopping areas are the Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and Polo View. You can check for the best bargains at the Government emporiums as well as some of the private shops.
