The Bund Srinagar is the old riverside walk along the Jhelum between Zero Bridge and Amira Kadal. Its history, the restored riverfront, a walking route and how it compares with the Boulevard.
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Quick Answer: The Bund Srinagar is the raised riverside walk along the Jhelum, running from the wooden Zero Bridge past the old British Residency to Amira Kadal near Lal Chowk. It dates from the Dogra period, and since 2023 a restored riverfront of about 2.5 km on each bank has made it one of the city's best free walks.
Last updated: 6 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Ask most visitors about a walk in Srinagar and they will name the Boulevard along Dal Lake. Ask someone who grew up here and you may hear about the Bund Srinagar instead: the embankment along the Jhelum where our grandparents strolled in the evenings, where the river moves slowly under wooden bridges and the city's older face is still visible on both banks.
- ✓Best time to visit: October and November afternoons, or any clear evening from spring to autumn
- ✓Getting there: a short walk from Lal Chowk; start at Zero Bridge near the Tourist Reception Centre side
- ✓Budget range: free; budget only for a cab or auto to the start
- ✓ViaKashmir link: plan a Srinagar city day with us
What is the Bund in Srinagar?
A bund is an embankment, and the Jhelum's bund was first built to hold the river back from the city in flood. Historians quoted by the Daily Excelsior say it was developed as a promenade during the Dogra period, when British officers and visitors spent their summers in Srinagar and wanted a shaded riverside walk. Houseboats were moored along this stretch long before Dal Lake became the main houseboat address.
For decades the Bund faded. Parts were fenced off, parts became an ordinary road, and the river edge was hard to reach. That changed with the Jhelum Riverfront project under Srinagar Smart City.
What can you see along the Bund Srinagar today?
- ✓Zero Bridge: a 160-metre wooden arch footbridge built in the late 1950s. It closed to vehicles in the late 1980s and has been rebuilt in its old style. Locals say it got its name because it comes before Amira Kadal, traditionally counted as the city's first bridge.
- ✓The old British Residency: the handsome building near Zero Bridge, now the government handicrafts emporium, was where the British representative to the Maharaja's court lived.
- ✓Heritage ghats: stone steps down to the water, restored with ramps and seating.
- ✓The General Post Office stretch: an 800-metre riverfront from Zero Bridge to the GPO, opened on 1 November 2023.
- ✓Amira Kadal: the old bridge near Lal Chowk, reopened as a wooden-style pedestrian bridge with seating and lights on 20 January 2026.
According to Srinagar Smart City, the left bank from Zero Bridge to Amira Kadal, about 2.5 km, was opened to the public on 20 May 2023, and the Divisional Commissioner has since described a 4.5 km stretch on both banks for walkers and cyclists.
Related reading: Maharaja Palace Gulmarg: The Timber Palace Most Visitors Walk Past
How do you walk the Bund? A simple route
- Start at Zero Bridge in the late afternoon and walk across slowly; the view downstream shows the whole curve of the river.
- Come back to the Residency Road side and walk past the old Residency, now the emporium, towards the GPO.
- Stop at a ghat to watch the river traffic and the light on the water.
- Continue to Amira Kadal and cross on the new pedestrian bridge.
- Walk back along the Rajbagh side as the street lights come on, with the houseboats on the water beside you.
The full loop is roughly 5 km on flat ground and takes about 90 minutes at an easy pace. If you only have half an hour, Zero Bridge to the GPO and back is the prettiest short stretch.
Bund Srinagar vs the Boulevard: which walk suits you?
| The Bund (Jhelum) | Boulevard (Dal Lake) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | River, wooden bridges, old city buildings | Open lake, mountains, shikaras |
| Crowds | Locals, students, morning walkers | Busy with visitors and traffic |
| Feel | Historic and quiet | Scenic and lively |
| Best for | A slow walk into Srinagar's past | Sunset views and a shikara ride |
Our honest view: do the Boulevard on the evening you arrive, and the Bund on a later afternoon when you want to understand the city rather than just look at it. Via Kashmir often pairs the Bund with an old city morning; our old city walking guide and Khanqah-e-Moula guide follow the river further downstream.
Related reading: Naseem Bagh Srinagar: Akbar's Chinar Garden on the Dal Lake Shore
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When is the best time to walk the Bund in Srinagar?
Autumn is the best season. In October and early November the chinars and poplars along the river turn gold, the air is clear and the light is soft by four in the afternoon. In winter the walk is cold but beautiful on a sunny day, and mornings can be foggy. In summer, go after five when the heat drops. Evenings are when families come out, and the restored lights make the riverfront pleasant after dark.
The Bund is free and open, but it is a working part of the city, so keep to the paths and watch for traffic where the walkway meets the road.
Where to stay near the Bund
Staying near Lal Chowk or Rajbagh puts the Bund on your doorstep and keeps you central for day trips. We can suggest verified hotels near the river, or houseboats on Dal and Nigeen if you would rather sleep on the water. Our Kashmir packages can build in a free afternoon for the walk, and local cabs can drop you at Zero Bridge and collect you at Amira Kadal.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Bund in Srinagar?
The Bund runs along the Jhelum in central Srinagar, between Zero Bridge near Sonwar and Rajbagh and Amira Kadal near Lal Chowk. The restored riverfront covers both banks along this stretch.
Is there an entry fee for the Bund Srinagar?
No. The Bund and the Jhelum riverfront are free public walkways open through the day. You only pay for transport to get there.
How long is the Jhelum riverfront walk?
The restored stretch from Zero Bridge to Amira Kadal is about 2.5 km on each bank. A loop out on one side and back on the other is roughly 5 km and takes about 90 minutes at an easy pace.
Why is it called Zero Bridge?
The most common explanation is that it stands upstream of Amira Kadal, which was traditionally counted as Srinagar's first bridge, so it became the zero bridge. It is a 160-metre wooden footbridge built in the late 1950s.
Is the Bund worth visiting if I have only two days in Srinagar?
Yes, if you have an hour free in the afternoon. It shows a side of Srinagar that Dal Lake does not, and it is close to Lal Chowk, so it fits easily between other sightseeing.
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