The important landmarks of Srinagar are :-
Dal Lake
Dal Lake has rightfully become an icon of the Kashmir tourism industry. A Himalayan urban lake, it has five basins and a number of channels that are well linked with each other. There are plenty of fishes in Dal Lake and fishery is the second largest industry of the region centered on the lake. The sparkling quiet waters of Dal surrounded by snow-capped mountains on its three sides, undoubtedly mark it as one of the most beautiful lakes of India. It is also the second largest lake in the State of Jammu and Kashmir with numerous gardens and orchards all along its shores. Houseboats form an indelible part of the scenery of the Dal Lake that are always ready to take tourists to a romantic and peaceful ride of the lake and soothe their nerves as the houseboat floats over the slightly rippling waters. They also offer some of the most exotic views of the splendid scenery of the Dal Lake. There are Shikaras that look like small ornate versions of the gondolas of Venice that offers ferry rides to and from the banks of the lake to the houseboats. The shores of the Lake houses the distinct Moghul monuments and the campus of the University of Kashmir while the two hillocks overlooking the lake house Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat temples. The glorious Mughal gardens on its shores contribute to the beauty of the Dal Lake. Out of about five hundred gardens laid down in 16th to 17th century, only a few still survive. There have been controversies about the origin of the Dal Lake. While some geologists believe that the origins of Dal Lake lie in the Pleistocene Oligotrophic Lake that once covered the entire valley of Kashmir, others just believe it to be a flood plain lake. The floating gardens of Dal Lake are considered a beauty in themselves. One can find a number of restaurants and hotels at the lakefront that have sprung up, encouraged by the large influx of tourists here.
The Boulevard
Boulevard Hotel is a stunning hotel, located on the Maulana Azad Road, Srinagar. This exclusive, 5 star hotel is famous for its beautiful decor, well-appointed rooms and wealth of modern amenities. Boulevard Hotel is within easy reach of Srinagar 's attractions. The rooms at the hotel offers brilliant views of the scenery with which Kashmir abounds.
Shervani (Residency) Road
This road was later named Shahid Sherwani Road after the martyr who single-handedly stopped the Pakistani tribal raiders from reaching Srinagar in 1948 for which he paid by his life – a tortuous and agonizing death; he was nailed to a cross. The road was later, re-named its original name. After 1990, every other known and unknown landmark of Srinagar that even remotely suggested of Kashmir’s association with Independent India was re-named or not re-re-named at all.
Lambert Lane
The Government Central Market, across Badshah Bridge, has a variety of stalls and again some government quality and price control is exercised, Hari Singh Stand, near the Amira Kadal Bridge, is a popular older shopping area, as are Polo View Road and Lambert Lane in the centre.
Lal Chowk
There is a sepia picture of Nehru addressing the people of Kashmir after the 1947 tribesmen attack. It shows Nehru on a makeshift stage, erected specially to enable him to deliver his speech. This is the historical Lal Chowk square with a clocktower in the middle.
Shalimar Bagh
Emperor Jehangir got the Shalimar Garden built for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. Covering an area of approximately 539 m by 182 m, the Shalimar garden offers an amazing view over the other gardens, lakes and shallow terraces. Also known as the "garden of love", the Shalimar Mughal Gardens has four terraces, rising one above the other. The fourth terrace of the garden was, at one point of time, reserved for royal ladies. There is also a canal lined with polished stones running through the center of the Shalimar Bagh. The canal is responsible for supplying water to the garden from Harwan. The top terrace of the Shalimar garden was reserved for the Mughal Emperor and the royal ladies of the court. In fact, the top terrace was the most wonderful one out of all the terraces. The terrace has a tank with a black stone pavilion in its middle. The pavilion, which once served as a banquet hall, is supported by fluted pillars made up of black marble. Other attractions of the Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir include a number of fountains, shaded trees and innumerable varieties of flowers that blossom in spring and autumn. Last but not the least, a light and sound show organized in the garden every evening, during the period of May to October, is simply superb.
Nishat Bagh
Nishat Bagh is the second Mughal garden that most tourists visit, as they take the road that encircles Dal Lake. Nishat Bagh is 11 km from Srinagar. Its name means Garden of Gladness. This is one of the most beautiful Mughal Garden. Nishat Bagh Mughal Garden was built by Empress Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan, in 1633-4. Originally, Nishat Bagh had twelve terraces, stretching all the way down to Del Lake, but the lower terraces no longer existed today, when the road around the lake was built. One of the most beautiful spot in Nishat Bagh is the second terrace. It has a high, broad cascade of sparkling water. There are two pavilions in Nishat Bagh Mughal garden, one at the lower and another the higher end of the garden. In the midst of Nishat Bagh is a reservoir, fourteen feet square and three feet deep. The central channel gets its water from the Arrah Stream. The Nishat Bagh offers a magnificent view of Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan hills as the backdrop.
Manasbal Lake
Manasbal is a delightful lake situated on the Jhelum Valley at a distance of 18 miles from Srinagar via Shadipor, and 17 miles via Nasim and Ganderbal road. The word Manasbal is derived from Manusarwar, the sacred lake which skirts the Kailash Mountain along with Gauri-Sar and Rakhas Talav. As it was very difficult for Kashmir Hindus to go on such a far-off pilgrimage, they satisfied their far-off pilgrimage, they satisfied their religious craving by naming the secluded sheet of green water Manasbal. This is not the only instance of the derivation of geographical names in this manner. The shrine of Sharada up in the Northern mountains is several marches from Srinagar. In order to avoid the difficult journey to the shrine without losing the merit of a visit to it, the Brahmans of Srinagar have named a small spring to the north-east of the reservoir, Sharad Bal. The water of this spring contains medical properties and is highly digestive. It is under a huge chinar outside New Thid. Vitsar Nag which is five miles from Srinagar is called Ailapator after the lake to the west of Gulmarg.
Watlab
If you want to experience the real Kashmir then a trip to Watlab is a must for you. As you move away from the well-traversed areas of the valley, slowly and steadily, you will get to see the Kashmir you have never seen before. There, unfolding before you will be Watlab in the Kashmir valley of India. Apart from the untamed beauty, Watlab in Kashmir is famous for its hilltop Muslim shrine. The shrine was built in the memory of Baba Shukurddin, a Muslim mystic. This place offers you a beautiful view of the Wular Lake, stretching out as far as the eye can see. The picturesque villages edging around the lake further enhance the scenery. Also adding a touch of color to the landscape, are the fields of paddy nearby. As far as the accommodation at Watlab is concerned, there is a Forest rest house situated amongst beautiful apple orchards.
Achabal
Achabal is situated at a distance of 58 km from the district of Srinagar. Reached via Anantnag, Achabal served as the pleasure retreat of the Mughal Empress Nur Jehan. Situated at a height of 1,677 m, Achabal is a visual treat for the eyes. Achabal is adorned with one of the best Mughal Gardens in India. The beautifully laid out garden in the Mughal (Persian) style sparkles with a charm and character, which is quite unique to it. Sprawling Chinar trees line the garden, which is situated at the foot of a hill. The other attractions of the Achabal in the Kashmir Valley of India are its stepped terraces, conventional elegance, ornamental shrubs, gleaming fountains and flowing water.
Daksum
As you drive past the Mughal Gardens of Achabal, you will come across the picturesque Daksum. Situated amidst the magnificent grandeur of the Kokarnag springs, it presents an awe-inspiring sight. Standing at an altitude of 2438 m in a densely forested gorge, Daksum offers peace and tranquility. The only sound heard there is that of the Bringhi River, rushing right through its center. Daksum in Kashmir valley is a must for those fond of walking and nature. A walk in Daksum will take you up to the hills enveloped in lush coniferous trees and past gurgling brooks. The simple music coming out of the flute of an unseen shepherd tending to his flock will keep you mesmerized. The landscape of Daksum is quite erratic. From the tree-covered hills, you will suddenly find yourself in grassy meadows serving as host to the sheep coming for pasture. The invigorating mountain air, the calm and serenity, the densely clad hills, all make the trip to Daksum a memorable experience. Then, there are the snow-capped mountains in the background that further enhance the beauty of this place.
Kokernag
Situated at a height of 2,020 m, Kokernag is approximately 70 km from the district of Srinagar. Blooming gardens surround this spring, which bubbles at seven places at the foot of the forested mountain. The water of Kokernag in Kashmir is believed to have medicinal and digestive properties. And because of these properties only, the spring is also known as Papashudan Nag or the sin-cleansing spring. There is also a botanical garden and a rose garden near Kokernag, overflowing with fragrances of flowers and shrubs. Kokarnag is also the largest fresh water spring of the Kashmir valley. The word Kokernag is a combination of the two words, Koker meaning 'fowl' and Nag meaning 'serpent'. Kokernag is a collection of many small springs and collectively, they all look like the claw foot of a Koker (cock). And the flowing stream resembles a moving serpent. Hence, the name "Kokernag". The spring of Kokernag comprise of 300 canals, 129 canals for garden purposes and 171 canals for forest area.
Yusmarg
Yusmarg is a small meadow set in the heart of mountains to the south-west of Srinagar. It is an ideal picnic spot and the Nilnag Lake can be visited from here. A two hour drive from Srinagar ( 47 kms ) will take you to acres upon acres of grassy meadow ringed by forests of pine, and towering beyond them, awesome and majestic snow clad mountains. Nearby are several peaks-Tatta Kutti and Sang Safed to name a couple of them. About 13 kms from Yusmarg, a short detour away from the Srinagar road, is Charari- Sharief, the Shrine of Kashmir’s patron saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din or Nund Reshi, now rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1994 which engulfed the entire building. Yusmarg is an ideal day-picnic resort. Taxis can be hired at Srinagar for the trip to yusmarg. One can enjoy pony ride in and around Yusmarg. Trek to the mountain lake of NilNag can be undertaken from Yusmarg.
