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Jammu & Kashmir: an appealing summer Gateway of India

Jammu & Kashmir the jeweled crown of India offers you a chance of escaping from the hotness of these summers. It is the northern most state in India lies on the peaks of Himalayan Ranges with varying topography.

Every year a number of tourists from all over the globe visit this “Paradise on earth”. This valley is also famous for its panoramic views, ancient temples, Hindu shrines, and castles, Mughal gardens, forts, snow-capped mountain peaks, tranquil Dal Lake, salubrious climate and intoxicating air.

Jammu & Kashmir is a perfect place for all the nature lovers to explore the mesmerizing beauty of this amazing place. This is a place beatify with the wonders of the nature including a number of rivers, lakes, glaciers, highlands, plains, beautiful Chinar trees and dense forests.

About the beauty of Jammu & Kashmir the great Mughal Emperor exclaimed “Gar Bar-ru-e-Zamin Ast; Hamin Ast, Hamin Ast Hamin Asto. Meaning if there is paradise on this earth: This is it, this is it, and this is it.
It is a very serene place proposed for writers, nature lovers and painters who would like to spend some time in the lap of nature.

There are lots of charms of Kashmir valley which attracts vacationers like

Shikara Ride

Dal Lake
Shikara Ride

Shikara Ride in Dal Lake is such a most exciting, loved, calming and relaxing aspects of holidays in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a large and captivating lake which also allows you to do boating on a house boat during the summer months.
During the Shikara rides and Houseboats on Dal Lake tourists can enjoy the beauty of the amazing lake and sightseeing of Srinagar including Lotus gardens and picturesque mounts.

Skiing
Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir is the right  place for adventure lovers who want to enjoy some outdoor activities like  adventure sports. There are higher slopes and mountain peaks  that are apt for people learn to ski on the snow covered golf course. The place is amazingly beautiful with the snow covered mountains.

Golfing
Golfing is a way to spend some leisure time and Gulmarg is the best place to enjoy this activity. There are four golf courses in Kashmir but the  Gulmarg golf course is world class where you can enjoy snow capped mountains and beautiful surroundings.

Paragliding
Paragliding is one of the most popular and adventures sport. Tourists can enjoy this breathtaking experience at J&K. During this funfilled activity you will feel like you really have wings and flying with the birds and witness the beauty of nature.

River Rafting

River Rafting kashmir
River Rafting

River Rafting is one of the challenging sports of Jammu and Kashmir. The adventure seekers can enjoy this activity in two most famous rivers Indus and Zanskar River. The rivers run through the mesmerizing landscapes, deep gorges and mountains.

Mountaineeringmountains-kashmir
Mountaineering is one of the most favourite and famous activity among the tourists visiting Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir is situated in the most incredible peaks of Alpine as well as Himalayan of varied heights. Mountaineers find this place as a heaven for enjoying the adventure and thrill of mountain climbing as there are several mountains, low and high, easy and challenging.

Bird watching
The suitable environment and picturesque surroundings of Jammu & Kashmir make this place a home to some rare species, many avian species including migratory birds. In all seasons there are around 500 species of bird, bird watching in Jammu & Kashmir.

Camping
Camping in the lap of nature, far away from the hustle bustle of the city is such an amazing experience. Jammu & Kashmir is such a great region for camping as it is blessed with lush green meadows, picturesque valleys, Great Lakes, snow capped peaks etc.

Wildlife
Tourists can also enjoy wildlife at Jammu & Kashmir. Dachigam wildlife sanctuary, Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandni Wildlife Sanctuary, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve and Overa wildlife sanctuary etc are the best places to explore wildlife in their natural habitats. A number of wild animals and birds houses here.

Sightseeing
This beautiful place blessed with several interesting places to visit for every age group including family, kids, friends, couples or parents. Tourists can visit Dal Lake, Leh Place, Bon Appetit, Khanqah Shah-i-Hamadan, Lala’s Art Café, Chopsticks, Phuktal Gompa etc.

Pilgrimage

Vaishno Devi
Vaishno Devi

Jammu and Kashmir is religiously very rich. The presence of several holy temples, mosques, Gurudwara and spiritual house make the popular among the pilgrims. Devotees come here to visit the holiest Hindu Vaishno Devi temple,  Amarnath Temple on Mount Amarnath, Hari Parbat hills which houses one Hindu shrine, a Gurudwara and two mosques, Jama Masjid etc.

Food of Jammu & Kashmir
The kashmiri peoples mostly like non vegetarian dishes like spicy meat dishes, mutton dishes. One of the famous meals of Kashmir is the Wazwan. There special dishes including stew of trotters and tongue with sheermal bread, methi maz, Rista, yogurt based lamb curry, paneer chaman, dum aloo etc.

Shopping in Jammu & Kashmir

Carpet Shopping
Carpet Shopping

Shopping in JK
The Jammu and Kashmir shopping offer tourists a wide variety of things. But the main sold item is finely executed handicrafts known for their perfect mixture of colors that are paired with delicate designs.
Tourists can buy Carpets, woolen shawls, fabric, fur coats and Kashmiri silver jewellery and brassware.
Kashmiri shawls are known all over the world for their softness and warmth.

The appropriate time to visit Jammu and Kashmir is during summers. As the summers of this place are fresh and the nights are active and energetic. Kashmir’s cosmopolitan culture and the picturesque atmosphere will certainly have a positive effect on your heart.

Next vacations Plan for this land of cherry which is also known as the ‘Switzerland of the East’.

Read more articles on Kashmir:

Must Visit Destinations in Jammu & Kashmir

An Unforgettable Voyage of Kashmir Houseboat