Explore Kashmir, Place by Place

The summer capital of Kashmir: Dal Lake and houseboats, Mughal gardens, the bustling bazaars of Lal Chowk, and the craft that made the valley famous.

The saffron town of Kashmir, where the karewa plateaus turn purple each autumn and the world's most prized Mongra saffron is harvested.

The Apple Town of Asia, on the banks of the Jhelum near Wular Lake, home to one of Asia's largest fruit markets.

The apple bowl of Kashmir and the gateway to the Mughal Road, ringed by some of the valley's finest orchards.

South Kashmir's largest town and the gateway to Pahalgam, Kokernag, Verinag, and the Martand Sun Temple, named for its many springs.

An ancient town on the banks of the Jhelum, the historic western gateway to the Kashmir Valley and the road to Gulmarg.

The gateway to Sonamarg, home to Manasbal Lake, the Kheer Bhawani temple, and the ancient stone temples of Naranag.

The rice bowl and dairy heart of Kashmir, home to Pampore's saffron fields and the ancient ruins of Awantipora.

A central district of shrines and meadows, home to Charar-i-Sharief, Yusmarg, Doodhpathri, and Tosa Maidan.

A green frontier district in the far north, home to the hidden valleys of Lolab and Bangus and the Sadhna Pass.

A north Kashmir district on the shores of Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India, and the gateway to the remote Gurez Valley.

A green south Kashmir district of rice fields and orchards, home to the Aharbal waterfall, the "Niagara of Kashmir".

One of Kashmir's holiest towns, built around the shrine of the patron saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, close to the meadow of Yusmarg.

The base town on the road to Gulmarg, home to the Drung waterfall and a hub for gear and transfers to the ski slopes.

A historic town on the Srinagar-Anantnag highway, home to the 9th-century temple ruins of King Avantivarman.

The land of springs and trout in south Kashmir, home to the largest freshwater spring in the valley and a terraced botanical garden.

The source of the Jhelum river, a deep blue octagonal Mughal spring set against a forested hill.

A classic Mughal garden in south Kashmir, laid out by Empress Nur Jahan around a powerful natural spring.

A quiet pine-ringed meadow in Budgam, a gentle alternative to the busier hill stations, with Nilnag lake and the Doodh Ganga nearby.

The "valley of milk" in Budgam: a wide grassy meadow threaded by a shallow, milky-white stream, a favourite day trip from Srinagar.

A remote Himalayan valley near the Line of Control, of pyramid-shaped Habba Khatoon peak, the Kishanganga river, and wooden Dard-Shin villages.

The land of saffron and sapphire in the Chenab Valley, gateway to the Machail Mata yatra and Sinthan Top toward Kashmir.

On the ground in Gulmarg: where to eat, how to get around the meadow, where to hire snow gear, and the practical side of a day at the gondola or on the slopes.

On the ground in Pahalgam: riverside cafes and trout, the main market for dry fruit and crafts, local cabs to the valleys, and how to get around.

On the ground in Sonamarg: trout dhabas, pony rates to the Thajiwas Glacier, rafting on the Sind, and the practical side of a high-alpine day trip.

A quiet shepherd's valley above Pahalgam, the trailhead for treks to Lidderwat and the Kolahoi Glacier, and a favourite for camping.

A lush green valley near Pahalgam framed by snow peaks, named after the Bollywood film shot here and one of Kashmir's most popular short excursions.

An ancient temple complex in the Wangat valley of Ganderbal, and the trailhead for the trek to the alpine Gangbal lakes below Harmukh.