Quick Answer
Kashmir is famous for Dal Lake with its houseboats and shikaras, the Mughal gardens of Srinagar, snow and skiing in Gulmarg, the meadows of Pahalgam and Sonamarg, and the Tulip Garden in spring. It is equally known for pashmina shawls, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mache and walnut wood carving, for saffron from Pampore, apples and walnuts, for wazwan and kahwa, and for its Sufi shrines such as Hazratbal.
See the best of Kashmir
Kashmir is often called paradise on earth for its scenery, but ask a Kashmiri what the valley is famous for and the list goes well beyond views: hand-woven pashmina, saffron picked flower by flower, the many-course wazwan feast, and shrines that draw people from across the region.
Here is what Kashmir is known for, grouped into places, crafts, food and harvests, and culture, with where to see or buy each.
Places Kashmir is famous for
- Dal Lake, houseboats and shikaras: carved cedar houseboats moored on Dal and Nigeen lakes, and the shikara boats that ferry people across. A night on a houseboat and a sunset shikara ride are the classic Srinagar experiences. See houseboats and shikara rides.
- Mughal gardens: terraced gardens built by the Mughal emperors and nobles, including Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi in Srinagar.
- Gulmarg: snow from December to March, skiing, and the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world. See Gulmarg.
- Pahalgam and Sonamarg: river valleys and meadows: the Lidder at Pahalgam with Betaab Valley and Aru nearby, and the Thajiwas Glacier above Sonamarg.
- Tulip Garden: Asia's largest tulip garden, in bloom for a few weeks from late March. See Tulip Garden Srinagar.
- Chinar trees: the great plane trees whose leaves turn red and gold in late October and November.
Kashmiri crafts and products
| Craft | What it is |
|---|---|
| Pashmina | Shawls hand-spun and woven from fine Changthangi goat wool; Kashmir Pashmina has a GI tag |
| Kani and sozni shawls | Kani shawls are woven with small wooden spools; sozni is fine needle embroidery |
| Hand-knotted carpets | Silk and wool carpets knotted by hand, many taking months to finish |
| Papier-mache | Hand-painted boxes, bowls and ornaments made from paper pulp |
| Walnut wood carving | Tables, screens and boxes carved from walnut wood |
| Khatamband | Geometric wooden ceilings fitted together from small pieces without nails |
| Kashmir willow cricket bats | Made from local willow in Anantnag district, around Sangam and Bijbehara |
Pashmina, sozni, Kani shawls, papier-mache, walnut wood carving, khatamband, hand-knotted carpets and saffron all carry Geographical Indication tags. Buy from established shops and ask for the GI label or a written description of the material. Full guide: Kashmiri handicrafts and shopping.
Food and drink Kashmir is famous for
- Wazwan: the multi-course feast cooked by master chefs called wazas, with dishes such as rista, rogan josh and gushtaba.
- Kahwa: green tea with saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and almonds.
- Noon chai: the pink salted tea Kashmiris drink with breakfast breads from the local baker.
- Harisa: slow-cooked mutton eaten for breakfast in Srinagar in winter.
- Kashmiri Pandit cooking: dishes such as dum aloo and nadru (lotus stem) made without onion and garlic.
More: Kashmiri food guide.
Saffron, apples, walnuts and almonds
- Saffron: grown on the karewa plateaus around Pampore and picked by hand from late October into November. Kashmiri saffron has a GI tag. Check the seal and packing date when you buy.
- Apples: Kashmir is India's main apple-growing region; orchards around Shopian and Sopore are picked from August to October.
- Walnuts and almonds: sold shelled or in the shell in every market, and among the most popular gifts to take home.
Culture and heritage
- Sufi shrines: Hazratbal on the banks of Dal Lake, Khanqah-e-Moula in the old city, and Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam.
- Ancient temples: the Shankaracharya temple above Srinagar and the ruins of Martand and Awantipora.
- Pheran and kangri: the long woollen gown and the wicker fire pot that keep Kashmiris warm through winter.
- Old Srinagar: wooden houses, bridges over the Jhelum and the Jamia Masjid.
More: Kashmir culture and heritage and festivals of Jammu and Kashmir.
How to see the best of Kashmir on one trip
A 5 to 7 day trip covers most of this list: Srinagar for Dal Lake, the gardens, shrines and shopping; Gulmarg for snow and the gondola; and Pahalgam or Sonamarg for the valleys. Add Pampore on the Pahalgam drive in saffron season.
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See the best of Kashmir
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Further reading from Kashmir Pulse
- Things to Do in Katra Beyond Vaishno Devi (2026-27): Temples, Day Trips and Food
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- 22 Things to Do in Srinagar (2026-27): Lakes, Gardens, Old City and Food
The best things to do in Srinagar, sorted by time of day and season: a dawn shikara to the floating market, the Mughal gardens, the old...
- Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving: The Forest Craft Behind Every Intricate Bowl and Panel
Kashmir walnut wood carving is one of the valley's three major heritage crafts alongside pashmina and papier mache. The wood comes from...
- Kashmiri Papier-Mache: The Craft That Takes 30 Days and Costs Almost Nothing in the Market
Kashmiri papier-mache (locally called kari kalamdani) is a craft in which paper pulp is moulded around clay or wooden forms, dried, layered,...
- Kashmiri Pandit Cooking: The Valley's Other Food Tradition and What You Should Know About It
Kashmiri Pandit cooking is a distinct culinary tradition from the Hindu Kashmiri community - different in spice logic, protein choices, and...
- Kashmiri Silver Filigree: The Wire Craft from Srinagar's Old City Workshops
Kashmiri silver filigree (called taar kaam (wire work) locally) is a silversmith's craft practiced in the Zaina Kadal and Nowhatta areas of...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kashmir famous for?
Kashmir is famous for Dal Lake and its houseboats and shikaras, the Mughal gardens, snow and skiing in Gulmarg, the valleys of Pahalgam and Sonamarg, pashmina shawls, hand-knotted carpets, saffron, apples and walnuts, wazwan and kahwa, and Sufi shrines such as Hazratbal.
What is the most famous food of Kashmir?
Wazwan, the multi-course feast with dishes such as rista, rogan josh and gushtaba. Kahwa, the saffron and spice green tea, is the most famous drink.
What should I buy in Kashmir?
Pashmina or Kani shawls, saffron, walnuts and almonds, papier-mache, walnut wood items and carpets. Buy from established shops and ask for GI labels on shawls and saffron.
Why is Kashmir called paradise on earth?
For its scenery: lakes and gardens in Srinagar, snow-covered mountains around Gulmarg, and green river valleys at Pahalgam and Sonamarg, all within a few hours of each other.
Which Kashmiri products have a GI tag?
Kashmir Pashmina, Sozani, Kani shawls, papier-mache, walnut wood carving, khatamband, hand-knotted carpets and Kashmiri saffron.
Which city in Kashmir is most famous?
Srinagar, the summer capital, known for Dal Lake, houseboats, the Mughal gardens and the old city. Gulmarg and Pahalgam are the most famous hill resorts.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked November 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.