10 Amazing Places in Jammu and Kashmir you Must visit This Winter
“Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast,
Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast”
Meaning: If there is a heaven on Earth, it’s here, it’s here.
This statement is absolutely correct! If you have ever wondered what heaven must look like, you should visit Jammu and Kashmir. And if you are planning to visit the state during winters, you will even fall more for the destination. Winter is challenging in Jammu and Kashmir but looks dreamy as the places remain covered under the blanket of snow. Each place in the state is known for its unique beauty. Let us discuss some of the Jammu Kashmir tourist places in winter.
10 Best Tourist Destinations in Jammu and Kashmir
1. Srinagar
Located on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is popularly called the heaven on Earth. Apart from the outstanding sceneries and views, Srinagar is popular for the Shikara rides in the Dal Lake. While taking the ride, you can see the floating vegetable market and even the Mir Bahris. Mir Bahris is a community of people who live on the lake. You can also find some of the gardens from the Mughal age here. Some of them are Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashm-E-Shahi Garden. While you are here, you can also visit Lal Chowk Market to do a bit of shopping for things like apples, shawls, and dried fruits.
Best time to visit: April to October
2. Gulmarg
Perched at an altitude of 2730 from sea level, Gulmarg is very popular for skiing. It is one of the famous places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir as apart from skiing you can also enjoy the view of snow-covered mountains here. The deep ravines, meadows of flowers, and evergreen forested valleys make Gulmarg outstanding. This is also a great place for honeymooners.
Best time to visit: October to June
3. Amarnath
Amarnath is one of the famous places in Jammu Kashmir, especially for the Hindu community. However, apart from the Hindu community, this place is also visited by tourists from across the world every year for the challenging mountainous trek called Amarnath Yatra. The Shivalinga here was naturally formed here by ice inside the Amarnath Cave. This cave is accessible only in the months of July and August.
Best time to visit: July and August
4. Patnitop
If you are planning to visit the hill stations in Jammu Kashmir, you can any day consider Patnitop. Once you are in Patnitop, you can enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains and endless meadows. Once you have satisfied your soul with the one-of-a-kind view of the place, you can indulge in activities like trekking, paragliding, skiing, etc.
Best time to visit: All through the year
5. Jammu
The southernmost part of the state, Jammu is also the winter capital of Kashmir. Equally beautiful like the other tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu is better known for the number of temples it has. You can find both mountains and plains here, and the weather during the winters here becomes just too good. Apart from temples, you can also find Buddhist Stupas here. While you are here, make sure you try the mouthwatering Dogra cuisines.
Best time to visit: September to March
6. Pahalgam
Located on the banks of the Liddar River, Pahalgam is a favorite destination for adventure lovers. If you ever wonder about the interesting things to do in Jammu Kashmir, you can head to Pahalgam. Fishing, trekking, hiking; there are so many activities that you can indulge in when you visit Pahalgam. This place is also the base of the famous Amarnath Yatra. When you are here, make sure you buy the famous Kashmiri saffron.
Best time to visit: All through the year
7. Sonamarg
Perched at an altitude of 2800m from sea level, Sonamarg is yet another beautiful place that you can add to your bucket list. Sonamarg is known for its wonderful view of snow-covered fields, which are surrounded by tranquil lakes and majestic glaciers. This tourist destination is surrounded by the great Himalayan glaciers, named Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier. Sonamarg is the base camp of several trekking routes. However, if you are visiting during the winter months, you may find the connectivity to this place closed.
Best time to visit: May to October
8. Nubra Valley
While you are on your road trip to Jammu and Kashmir, you can consider visiting Nubra Valley too. There are two rivers, Nubra and Shyok which flow through this valley. One of the most famous things about Nubra valley is the Bactrian Camel ride. Bactrian camels are the rarest with two humps on their back. These camels used to be the mode of transportation in the silk route. Another famous thing here is the Diksit Monastery. You can find a 32 meter Maitreya Buddha statue near this monastery.
Best time to visit: June to September
9. Khilanmarg
You can see some of the tallest peaks of the Himalayas here. This is also a great place for adventure enthusiasts. This is one of the best places for people who want a break from their routine life and live some days in a thinly populated place.
Best time to visit: May to September, and November to February
10. Vaishno Devi
A temple town, located at a distance of 13 km from Katra, Vaishno Devi is frequented by lakhs of devotees and tourists each year. The Goddess Vaishno Devi is a manifestation of Goddess Durga. The shrine is placed inside a cave.
Best time to visit: All through the year
The best time to travel to Jammu Kashmir is between March and August. To enjoy the best of your trip, you can opt for a safe and sanitized car rental service. You can take the car rental from Revv as you can choose the car of your choice. You can enjoy the service for as many days as you want. To book the car, you can visit the website of Revv or their app.
