Char Chinar
Location: 4V38+7M8, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001
Also Checkout: Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Betaab Valley
Horse riding is a popular activity in the valley, and a great way to explore the valley as well. Wintertime brings with it thick blankets of snow, making it an ideal spot for sports such as skiing and heliskiing as well.
Location: Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Also Checkout: Chasme Shahi, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
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Wular Lake
The largest freshwater lake in Asia, Wular Lake is famed for its sunsets. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Srinagar in winter, the banks of Wular serves as a popular picnic spot as well. The trees that surround Wular are generally always thronging with birds, especially as the sun sets and the flocks fly back home.
The landscape at Wular is often dotted with fishing boats lined up along the bank, as fishing is a prominent means of livelihood here. Wular is a popular spot for watersports as well.
Location: Bandipora District, Jammu and Kashmir
Check this Out: Anchar Lake
Pari Mahal
The gardens, which resemble the reigning style of architecture during the Mughal era, served as a refuge for Price Dara Shikoh, who often escaped here to study. The stone walls which surround the gardens on all sides are preserved in their nearly original state, and stand as shining examples of their Islamic heritage.
Location: Dal Lake, Near Chashme Shahi Garden, Pari Mahal Road, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State) 190001
Timings: 07.00 AM- 07.30 PM on all days
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 per person
Do Check Out: Kashmir Government Arts Emporium, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
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Nehru Garden
Kashmir’s biggest botanical gardens, the Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Gardens sits snugly in the center of the city. Nestled just beside the Dal Lake, the Nehru Gardens form a spectacular sight when the flowers here are in bloom.
The gardens are home to a stunning variety of plants, including about 15,000 ornamental varieties and few rare Kashmiri species as well. Well paved pedestrian walkways snake their way across the botanical gardens, and while the Gardens are best witnessed in Spring, it is unarguably one of the most romantic places to visit in Srinagar in winter as well.
Location: Cheshma Shahi Rd, Muja Gund Ghat, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State) 190001
Timings: 09.30 AM- 06.30 PM on all days
Entry Fee:
For children below 5 years: Rs. 5 per person
For children above 5 and adults: Rs. 10 per person
Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake is regarded as one of Kashmir's most beautiful lakes. However, only a few people are aware of this lake, which appears to be straight out of a postcard.
It is recognised as Kashmir's "Supreme Gem of All Lakes." The name Manasbal is derived from the Tibetan Mansarovar Lake, perhaps this is one of the reasons the lake appears to be so tranquil. Despite being only 30 kilometers from Srinagar, the lake is not as busy as the other lakes.
Location: Safapora Ganderbal, Kashmir
Also Read: Places to Visit near Jammu
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The Hari Parbat
A small hill overlooking the capital city, Hari Parbat is one of the most interesting places to visit in Srinagar in winter. The Parbat is a melting pot of history and culture. The most impressive structure on the hill is the Durrani Fort, established by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century.
Now occupied by the Indian military, the fort is open to the public for tours as well. The Shakti Temple is another prominent site here, and is regarded as sacred by Kashmiri Pandits. The hill is also home to some prominent mosques and gurudwara, each boasting of a rich history of their own.
Location: Zabarwan Mountain range, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Hazratbal Masjid
Also known as the Dargah Sharif, the Hazratbal Masjid is considered to be Kashmir's holiest Muslim shrine. This historic mosque is situated at the edge of Dal Lake. The Mosque is widely regarded for its unique architecture, and is one of the most visited places in Kashmir.
The mosque reflects a blend of local Kashmiri and Islamic designs, and is the only domed mosque in the state. This mosque gets its name from the Persian term 'Hazrat,' which means 'revered,' and the Kashmiri word 'bal', which means 'place.' This monument has a fascinating history dating back to the seventeenth century, and houses the relic Moi-e-Muqqadas, which is the Prophet Muhammad's sanctified beard hair, making it one of the best religious places to visit in Srinagar in winter.
Location: Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State)
Timings: 09.30 AM- 05.30 PM on all days
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Dachigam National Park
Today, it is the only place in the world that is known to house the endangered Kashmiri stag. If you visit in winter, you might get the chance to witness the National Park blanketed entirely in snow, offering a mesmerizing sight.
Location: Near Harwan Mughal Garden, Dachigam Road, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State) 191202
Recommended Read: Places to Visit in Srinagar
Nigeen Lake
An offshoot of the main Dal, Nigeen Lake is a clear, eutrophic lake in the heart of Srinagar. It’s name is a local version of the word ‘nageena’, and literally translates to “a jewel in the ring”. Being comparatively cleaner and less crowded than Dal, Nigeen is often sought after for its tranquility. Tourists often resort to swimming here as well, owing to its greater depth and cleanliness. The lovely little lake is ringed by willow and poplar trees, offering a pleasant promenade, making it one of the most romantic places to visit in Srinagar in winter. The Lake features some houseboats as well, for those that prefer a quieter repose as to that offered on the Dal.
Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Nishat Bagh
With the Zabarwan as a backdrop, Nishat Bagh is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Srinagar in winter. The name of the gardens literally translates to the Garden of Joy, or the Garden of Gladness. The garden is designed after the Persian model, with minor modifications.
The layout is divided into twelve terraces, with each level revealing something new. The eleventh terrace is said to be the most impressive one, housing twenty five separate fountains in a pool. The gardens are impressively manicured, with lilacs and pansies bordering the walkways. Post sunset, Nishat Bagh is lit up by hundreds of lighted lamps, casting a fairytale like glow.
Location: Boulevard Road, Nishat, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State) 190001
Timings: 09.00 AM- 07.00 PM on all days
Entry fee: Rs. 10 per person
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
The largest tulip garden in all of Asia, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is indubitably among the most beautiful places to visit in Srinagar in winter. Set on terraced slopes by the Dal Lake, the flower gardens, accompanied by the HImalayas on one end and the lake on the other, form a mesmerizing sight.
Apart from several acres worth of tulips, the gardens also feature some colored hyacinths, daffodils and ranunculus plants. If one decides to elongate their stay from winter into early spring, they might also be able to attend the annual tulip festival organized here each spring.
Location: Cheshma Shahi Road, Rainawari, Anchar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State) 190001
Timings: 07.00 AM- 07.30 PM on all days
Entry fee:
For Adults: Rs. 50 per person
For Children: Rs. 25 per person
Suggested Read: Places to Visit in Kashmir
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Shankaracharya Temple
Nestled atop a hill by the same name, the Shankaracharya Temple is one of Srinagar’s biggest Hindu temples. The edifice is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is regarded as a monument of national importance. Shankaracharya Temple is the oldest temple in Kashmir, and is associated with multiple faiths. A few ancient Persian inscriptions on the inner walls of the temple reflect the Islamic past.
Today, the temple serves as a prominent Hindu pilgrimage, especially during the Amarnath Yatra and Mahashivaratri. The fantastic location of Shankaracharya Temple, however, forms half the allure. Perched right above the Srinagar valley, the temple offers resplendent views of the beauty below.
Location: Temple Path, Durgjan, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State) 190001
Timings: 07.00 AM- 08.00 PM on all days
Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden
Nestled in the northern end of the Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh epitomizes the brilliance of Mughal horticulture. Like the Taj Mahal, these gardens were built by Shah Kahan for his eternal love, Noor Jahan, and remains one of the best places to visit in Srinagar in winter.
The gardens are styled after the typical Persian gardens, with four separating arms connecting at a water source at the center. Strolling through, one comes across elaborately carved arches and waterfalls, which add to the elegance of the place. Another unique feature of Shalimar Bagh are the Baradaris, or massive gates supported by pillars, which are said to be the remnants of an ancient temple that had been demolished by Shah Jahan.
Location: Nishat Harwan Road, Shalimar, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (State) 190025
Timings:
April to October: 09.00 AM- 07.00 PM
November to March: 10.00 AM- 05.00 PM
Entry fee: Rs. 10 per person
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Dal Lake
Shikara rides offer short tours of the lake, although if you are traveling in winter, do ensure that you put on clothes that are warm enough for the journey. The road around the lake is well paved, and offers a scenic pedestrian route that meanders through local markets. In the most severe winter days, the Dal freezes over, appearing as a shiny white patch on the ground.
Location: Srinagar, Kashmir
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