Here are 100 breathtaking tourist spots in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, often called "Paradise on Earth," organized by their respective districts (zillas). This list captures the unparalleled natural beauty, spiritual significance, and rich cultural heritage of the region.
Srinagar Zilla
Dal Lake: The iconic heart of Srinagar, famous for its houseboats (shikaras), floating gardens, and stunning mountain backdrop.
Mughal Gardens: A collective of historic gardens including Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi, known for their terraced lawns and vibrant fountains.
Shalimar Bagh: The largest Mughal Garden, built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan, known as the "abode of love."
Nishat Bagh: The "Garden of Joy," offering breathtaking views of Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Mountains as a backdrop.
Chashme Shahi: The smallest of the three, famous for its royal spring with supposed medicinal properties.
Hazratbal Shrine: A pristine white marble shrine on the banks of Dal Lake, containing a relic believed to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad.
Shankaracharya Temple: An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, perched on a hilltop offering panoramic views of Srinagar city.
Jama Masjid, Srinagar: A magnificent 14th-century mosque in the heart of the old city, an architectural marvel with 370 wooden pillars.
Pari Mahal (The Palace of Fairies): A seven-terraced garden and historic monument, once a Buddhist monastery and later a school of astrology.
Nigeen Lake: A smaller, more serene lake connected to Dal Lake, ideal for swimming and water skiing.
Dachigam National Park: A wildlife sanctuary, home to the critically endangered Hangul (Kashmir Stag).
Hari Parbat Fort: A historic fort on a hill overlooking the city, with a temple, mosque, and gurdwara on its slopes.
Badamwari Garden: A beautiful almond orchard that blooms vibrantly in spring.
Kheer Bhawani Temple: A sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to the goddess Ragnya Devi, located amidst chinar trees in Tulmul.
Polo View Market: A bustling market in the city center, perfect for shopping for local handicrafts, pashmina, and walnuts.
Ganderbal Zilla
Sonamarg: The "Meadow of Gold," a stunning hill station on the Srinagar-Leh highway, serving as a base for treks.
Thajiwas Glacier: A beautiful glacier accessible via a short trek or pony ride from Sonamarg.
Zoji La Pass: A high mountain pass connecting Kashmir to Ladakh, offering dramatic landscapes.
Gangabal Lake: A high-altitude alpine lake, a popular destination for trekkers.
Krishnasar Lake: A picturesque alpine lake located near Sonamarg.
Vishansar Lake: Another stunning high-altitude lake, part of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.
Manasbal Lake: Considered the deepest lake in the Kashmir Valley, known for its serene beauty and lotus blooms.
Naranag: A scenic village and base camp for treks, famous for its ancient temple ruins.
Baramulla Zilla
Gulmarg: The "Meadow of Flowers," a world-renowned skiing destination and hill station.
Gulmarg Gondola: One of the highest cable cars in the world, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas and Apharwat Peak.
Apharwat Peak: A snow-clad peak accessible via the Gondola, the main hub for skiing and snowboarding.
Alpather Lake: A stunning high-altitude lake at the foot of Apharwat Peak, which remains frozen until mid-June.
St. Mary's Church, Gulmarg: A beautiful Victorian-era church, a remnant of the British Raj.
Tangmarg: A scenic town that serves as the gateway to Gulmarg, famous for its local handicrafts.
Khilanmarg: A small, picturesque valley offering stunning views of the Himalayan peaks.
Uri: A border town with immense scenic beauty and the famous Uri Dam.
Anantnag Zilla
Pahalgam: A world-famous hill station on the banks of the Lidder River, known as the "Valley of Shepherds."
Betaab Valley: A breathtaking valley named after the Bollywood movie "Betaab," with lush meadows and the Lidder River flowing through it.
Aru Valley: A pristine valley and a starting point for several treks, including the one to Kolahoi Glacier.
Chandanwari: The starting point of the holy Amarnath Yatra, known for its snow-covered landscapes.
Sheshnag Lake: A high-altitude oligotrophic lake, a key stop on the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage route.
Lidder River: A glacial river ideal for trout fishing and white-water rafting.
Sun Temple, Mattan (Martand Sun Temple): The ruins of a magnificent 8th-century temple dedicated to the Sun God.
Amarnath Cave: One of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, housing a naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam (accessible via trek/helicopter).
Verinag: The source of the Jhelum River, featuring an octagonal spring surrounded by a Mughal-era arcade.
Kokernag: Famous for its botanical garden, freshwater springs, and trout hatchery.
Daksum: A picturesque picnic spot with coniferous forests, grassy meadows, and the Bringhi River.
Kulgam Zilla
Aharbal Waterfall: A spectacular waterfall on the Veshu River, often called the "Niagara of Kashmir."
Kousarnag Lake: A high-altitude oligotrophic lake, the source of the Veshu River.
Vasak Nag Temple: An ancient temple dedicated to the serpent king.
Bandipora Zilla
Wular Lake: One of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, a serene waterbody with diverse birdlife.
Gurez Valley: A breathtakingly beautiful and remote valley near the Line of Control, known for its stunning landscapes and Dard-Shin culture.
Razdan Pass: The high-altitude pass that connects the Gurez Valley to the Kashmir Valley.
Habba Khatoon Peak, Gurez: A pyramid-shaped peak named after the famous Kashmiri poetess.
Tulail Valley: A remote and picturesque valley adjacent to Gurez.
Budgam Zilla
Doodhpathri: The "Valley of Milk," a vast, bowl-shaped meadow with lush green pastures.
Yusmarg: The "Meadow of Jesus," a pristine and less-crowded meadow surrounded by pine forests.
Nilnag Lake: A beautiful blue-water lake nestled amidst dense pine forests near Yusmarg.
Charar-e-Sharief: A revered shrine dedicated to the Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (Nund Rishi).
Tosa Maidan: A vast pastureland that was recently opened to tourists, known for its scenic beauty.
Shopian Zilla
Mughal Road: A historic road connecting Shopian to Poonch and Rajouri, known for its scenic beauty and high passes like Pir Ki Gali.
Peer Ki Gali: A scenic mountain pass on the Mughal Road with a shrine dedicated to a Sufi saint.
Jamia Masjid, Shopian: A historic mosque reflecting Mughal and local architectural styles.
Dubjan: A beautiful meadow and a popular trekking spot.
Pulwama Zilla
Awantiswami Temple, Awantipora: The ruins of two 9th-century temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, built by King Avantivarman.
Tarsar Marsar Lakes: Twin alpine lakes renowned for their breathtaking beauty, a popular trekking destination.
Shikargah: A scenic wildlife reserve and a former hunting ground of the Maharajas.
Payer Temple: An ancient temple dating back to the 10th century.
Kupwara Zilla
Lolab Valley: A stunningly beautiful oval-shaped valley, known for its dense forests, springs, and rice fields.
Bangus Valley: A pristine and vast meadow, one of Kashmir's hidden gems, recently opened for tourism.
Karnah Valley: A picturesque valley on the other side of the Shams Bri mountains.
Sadhna Pass (Nasta Chun Gali): A high mountain pass connecting Kupwara to the Karnah valley.
Chandigam: A scenic village in the Lolab Valley known for its natural beauty.
Jammu Division
Jammu Zilla
Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra: One of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, located in the Trikuta Mountains.
Raghunath Temple: A large temple complex in the heart of Jammu city, dedicated to Lord Rama.
Bahu Fort and Temple: A historic fort overlooking the Tawi River, with a temple dedicated to the goddess Bawe Wali Mata.
Mubarak Mandi Palace: The former royal residence of the Dogra kings, a complex of palaces showcasing a blend of architectural styles.
Amar Mahal Palace Museum: A French-chateau-style palace, now a museum featuring a golden throne and Pahari paintings.
Akhnoor Fort: A historic fort on the banks of the Chenab River, dating back to the Harappan civilization.
Surinsar and Mansar Lakes: Twin lakes surrounded by forests, considered sacred and popular for boating and picnics.
Peer Kho Cave Temple: A Shiva temple located in a cave, a significant pilgrimage site.
Udhampur Zilla
Patnitop: A popular hill station offering skiing in winter and scenic meadows in summer.
Nathatop: A viewpoint near Patnitop offering panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas.
Sanasar: A cup-shaped meadow known for paragliding, horse riding, and a beautiful lake.
Krimchi Temples: A complex of ancient temples, believed to date back to the 8th-9th century, often referred to as the "Pandava Temples."
Sudh Mahadev Temple: An ancient Shiva temple associated with several legends.
Kathua Zilla
Basohli: A historic town famous for its distinctive style of miniature paintings and the magnificent Ranjit Sagar Dam.
Ranjit Sagar Dam: A massive hydroelectric project on the Ravi River, forming a large, scenic lake.
Bani: A beautiful, lesser-known hill station, often called "Mini Kashmir."
Sarthal: A scenic valley and meadow in the Bani region.
Jasrota Fort: The ruins of a historic fort, once the capital of the Jasrotia Rajputs.
Doda Zilla
Bhaderwah: A picturesque valley known as "Mini Kashmir," with lush meadows, dense forests, and serene rivers.
Jai Valley, Bhaderwah: An enchanting valley known for its sprawling green meadows and camping sites.
Padri Pass: A scenic pass connecting Bhaderwah with Chamba in Himachal Pradesh.
Vasuki Nag Temple, Bhaderwah: An ancient temple dedicated to the serpent god Vasuki.
Kishtwar Zilla
Kishtwar National Park: A high-altitude national park, home to the snow leopard and Himalayan brown bear.
Sinthan Top: A high-altitude pass connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Kishtwar region, offering spectacular views.
Warwan Valley: A remote and stunningly beautiful valley, a paradise for trekkers.
Sarthal Devi Temple: A revered shrine dedicated to the goddess Durga.
Poonch Zilla
Poonch Fort: A historic fort with Mughal, Sikh, and Dogra architectural influences.
Noori Chamb: A scenic waterfall named after the Mughal queen Nur Jahan.
Girgan Dhok: A beautiful valley with lush meadows.
Rajouri Zilla
Shahdara Sharief: A famous shrine dedicated to the Sufi saint Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah.
Dhanidhar Fort: A historic fort built by the Dogra rulers, offering panoramic views of Rajouri town.
Thanamandi: A scenic town on the Mughal Road, known for its natural beauty.
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