Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the People's Republic of China to the north and east, the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south. Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu, its winter capital. While the Kashmir valley, often known as Paradise on Earth, is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu's numerous shrines attracts tens of thousands of Hindu and Muslim pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet", is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture.

Kashmir is situated in the scenic valleys of the Himalayas. River Jhelum flows through the district. A Kashmiri poet once described it as a paradise on earth. Kashmir has been ruled by various rulers the last of which were the Dogras in the 19th century. After Independence, Kashmir became a part of the Indian union of states. Srinagar, the capital city lies in Kashmir.

How to reach:

There are direct flights to Srinagar from Amritsar, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jammu and Leh. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi. Srinagar is well connected by road to Jammu(293 kms), Manasbal, Pahalgam(94 kms), Leh(434 kms), Kargil(204 kms), Gulmarg(46 kms), Sonmarg(84 kms), Delhi(876 kms) and Pathankot(400 kms).

The fascination of tourists with houseboats led to the emergence of entrepreneurs within this community who converted their houseboat into luxurious floating hotels. Most of the lakes of Kashmir are remnants of ancient oxbows created by the river Jhelum as it meanders across the valley floor and the present lakes are shrunken remnants of their past selves. The Dal lake, for example, has shrunk in the past 50 years to half it's size, from 22 to 11 square kilometers. In the intervening years, the lake has changed in other fashions too. The classic example of environmental degradation in a Himalayan lake eco- system today, is the Dal lake in Srinagar.

Towns in Kashmir

Anantnag

Anantnag is a district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in north-western India. It is one of six districts which make up the Kashmir Valley.The district headquarter is Anantnag.

Shopian

Shopian is one the historical towns of Jammu and Kashmir. This town is importance due to the Mughal road which is about to connect Kashmir valley with Rajouri and Poonch districts. Shopian town is also known as "Apple Town of Kashmir". The apples of this town are world wide famous for its quality.

Srinagar

The largest city is Srinagar. It is also home to the scenic Dal Lake, a popular tourist destination.

What to see:

Lakes and rivers
The numerous lakes and rivers that dot the land are replete with natural beauty. The Jhelum or Vitasta river is the mainsteam of life in the Kashmir valley.
Another river is the Liddar river. The lakes include the Manasbal Lake, the famous Dal lake, Nagin Lake and the Wular Lake which is the largest in the state.
Shalimar Bagh, Naseem Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashme-e-Shahi are some of the gardens which are famous in Kashmir.
The beautiful Himalayan ranges, the waterfalls, shikaras(local boats) and chinar forests make Kashmir a veritable tourist paradise.
The Hazratbal Mosque, the great Shankaracharya temple, the Martand Temple are other places worth a visit.

Shopping

The handicrafts of Kashmir are also equally famous and the carving on walnut wood, papier-mache, stone jewellery, Pashmina and Shahtush shawls, carpets and silverware are worth buying.