Over the years, Kashmir has come to love and look after its tourists, fulfilling their every whim.Tourists are everywhere, soaking up all that Kashmir has to offer - the walks, the pony treks, the calbe car rides (Gandola) over Gulmarg resort, the Shikara rides at the sunset on the Dal Lake.

Kashmir's other most popular resorts are :

1-MUGHAL GARDENS:Kashmir was a favorite of the Mughal emperors who visited it as often as they could.Cool and refreshing after the plainf North India where the business of governance kept them, they planted Gardens with stepped terraces and flowing water courses.When they rested in their gardens, they dreamt they were in paradise.Cheshmashahi is the first Mughal Garden you will after Nehru Park.Built at a height above the city, its views are as stupendous a its layout.The smallest of Srinagar's Mughal Gardens, Cheshmashahi has only three terraces in addition to a natural spring of water enclosed in a stone pavilion.

The next garden along the road that encircles the Dal is Nishat built by Empress Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan.The largestof the gardens, Nishat has several terraces, a central water course and a majestic site between the Dal and Zabarwan Hills.

The Third Mughal Garden - The Shalimar - was planted by Jehangir, the Mughal emperor,whose love for Kashmir was legendary.Shaded by magnificient chinar trees, the Shalimar is a series of stone pavilions and flowing water with paint-box bright flower beds.

2-GULMARG:Gulmarg at an altitutde of 2,730 metres above sea level, 56 Kms from Srinagar.A huge cup-shaped meadow, lush and green, with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of the cow bells,Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film, and not surprisingly, has been the venue of several films.All around are snow capped mountains, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Nanga Parbat in one direction and Srinagar in another.

From Gulmarg, a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Seven Springs,a couple of hours by pony, longer on the foot,From here, across Apharwati- the peak which looms up from this point - is Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake, frozen till June.For horse riding afficionadoes, Alpather lake makes an excitings days excursion, starting early morning and returning late evening.

Slightly lower than Gulmarg is the shrine of Baba Reshi, a muslim mystic saint,whose shrine is visited by people of all faiths.

Gulmarg also has one of the world's highest green golf courses, as well as a club house which is a historical building in its own right.For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire,pros to instruct one in the game.
For a fun-filled ride of a most unusual kind Gulmargs newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg,through pine-clad slopes is exhilarating.

In winter Gulmarg, acquires a new persona - that of the countrys' premier skiing resort.Gulmarg is the ultimate beginners skiing resort,you dont need the kind of wardrobe you see on the T.V. - slacks or a salwar kameez will do fine.You dont even need heavy woolllens, as in Gulmarg you will be able to hire snowboots, mufflers, woollen sokcs, windproof jackets and caps.The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola Cable Car which allows a ski run of 2,213 metres.Therer are several hotels in Gulmarg to stay in from luxurious ones to economical.

3-PAHALGAM:Pahalgam, at an altitude of 2,130 metres above sea level,96 Kms from Srinagar.At the confluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder and Sheshnag lake, Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views.Now it is Kashmir's premier restort, cool even during the height of Summder.A number of hotels and lodges cater to all preferences and budgets, from luxurious to unpretentious trekkers lodges, including JKTDC's delightfully romantic, fully furnished huts, partially concealed by giant pine trees.

Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hils, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking.The most beautiful of these is the huge,undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine.Pahalgam has within it now fewer than eighty tiny villages, one of which is Mamal.There is shiva temple here, generally considered to be Kashmir's oldest existing temple dating to the 8th century.

Chandanwari, 16 Kms from Pahalgam, is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra which takes place every year in the month of July-August (Sawan).The destinations in the Amarnath cave, believed to be the abode of lord Shiva.Although the road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is on fairly flat terrain, and can be undertaken by the car, from Chandanwari onwards the track becomes much steeper, being accessible on foot or by pony.11 Kms from Chandanwari is the mountain lake of Sheshnag, after which, 13 Kms away is the lost stop, Panchtarni.The Amarnath cave is 6 Kms away from there.During the month of Sawan, an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shivling which waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.

The State Government makes extensive arrangements every year for the successfull completion of pilgrimage,registering each one of the over one lakh pilgrims, regestering pony owners and dandi walas, providing camps en route, and ensuring safe, comfortable and speedy progress of the yatris.

4-SONMARG:Sonmarg, at an altitude of 3,000 metres above sea level, 87 Kms from Srinagar.The drive to Sonmarg is through yet another spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir, this time the sindh valley.

Sonmarg, which means 'meadow of Gold' has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky.The Sindh meanders along here and abounds with Trout and Mahseer.Ponies can be hired for the trip upto Thajiwas Glacier - a major attraction during the summer months.
Sonmargs importance is two fold: it is the starting point of a major trek passing severa mountain lakes - Vishansar,Kishansar,Gedsar,Satsar and Gangabal.One trek leads all the way to the Amarnath Cave.The other reason from Sonmargs importance lies in the fact that it is the last halt on the Kashmir side for the drive from Srinagar to Leh.
Sonmargs accomodation consists JKTDC Bungalows that dot its hill side..