AIR
Both IA and Jet fly daily from Delhi via Jammu, while IA also operates three direct flights every week from Delhi and weekly flights from Leh. Additional flights are pressed into service during the peak tourist season.

Airport
15 km further ahead of Barzalla, on the road branching out of the city, lies the Srinagar Airport. Snowbound in winter, the airport usually remains open from April to October. Taxi transfers are the most convenient way to reach the city.

RAIL
Since Srinagar is out of bounds for Indian Railways, Jammu (300 km) is the nearest railhead served by good express trains from all corners of the country.

ROAD
Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) services connect Srinagar with Gulmarg (48 km), Sonamarg (88 km), Pahalgam (96 km), Kargil (204 km), Jammu (290 km), Leh (434 km), Chandigarh (630 km) and Delhi (876 km).

CLIMATE
Summer temperatures range from 12ºC to 24ºC while the snowbound winters can go down from 7ºC in the day to -5ºC at night. Frequent showers are common in the months of July through September.

STD CODE
0194

Language
Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, and English

Dal Lake
Synonymous with Srinagar, the shimmering expanse of this beautiful lake lies at the foot of the Zabarwan Mountains, with the Hari Parbat in the west and the Shankaracharya Hill to the south. Four artificial causeways divide the lake into the smaller Gagribal, the Lokut Dal, the Bod Dal and the Nagin Lake. Its fabulous views apart, the lake supports a unique lifestyle complete with floating homes and shops, craft emporia and sprawling gardens ? so much so that the lakers don t need to step on land at all!

Take a shikara ride or stay at one of the opulent houseboats for your share of the experience. Or simply laze around amidst groves of poplars and willows at the Char Chinar, the restaurant in the middle of the lake.

Nagin Lake
The quietest, cleanest and loveliest part of the Dal, with the magnificent Hazratbal shrine lying just across its serene waters. Put up at one of the houseboats here and spend your time swimming or, even better, water-skiing.

Hazratbal Shrine
On the north-western shore of the Dal Lake, just opposite the Nishat Bagh, the pious white of this shrine is almost indistinguishable from the snow-topped peaks on the horizon. One of the most beautiful and holiest of Muslim shrines in the country, a strand of Prophet Mohammed s sacred hair lies preserved here, only to be displayed on special occasions.

Hari Parbat Fort
Perched on top of the Sharika Hill, this Mughal fort lies to the west of the Dal Lake. Originally built during the reign of Akbar, the present structure, however, was put in place by the Afghan governor of Kashmir in the 18th century. A Parvati temple on the western slope and the Muslim shrines of Khwaja Makhdoom Sahib and Akhund Mullah Shah on the southern slope form the other attractions. Presently under army occupation, you need to obtain the entry permit from the Archaeological Department s office at Lal Mandi in Srinagar.

Shankaracharya Temple
More than a thousand feet into the azure sky, on the top of a hill once known as the Takht-e-Sulaiman (The Seat of Solomon), sits this ancient Shiva temple. Reputed to have been built by Ashoka s son in as early as 200 BC, it also finds a mention in Kalhana s Rajtarangani. With a pleasant walk up the hillside you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the city below and the Pir Panjal above.

Jama Masjid
Arguably the oldest and the largest mosque in the state, this majestic Indo-Saracenic structure can accommodate nearly 30,000 devotees in its courtyard. Though the original shrine dates back to the 14th century, it has since been destroyed and subsequently rebuilt many times.

Shah-i-Hamdan Mosque
Another of those exquisite old mosques dotting the valley, this fine pyramidal structure on the banks of the Jhelum is famous for the intricate papier-mache work on its interiors. Women and non-Muslims are not allowed inside the shrine.

Chatti Padshahi
On the way to Nagin Lake, near Rainawari, lies this famous gurudwara. Built to commemorate the visit of Guru Hargovind to Kashmir, it still remains one of the most visited shrines in the city.

Mughal Gardens
Laid out in the typical Mughal style ? quadrangular garden plots criss-crossed by pathways intersecting at right angles ? the Mughal Gardens in and around Srinagar are the outcome of the legendary fascination for the beautiful valley shared by almost all the Mughal emperors. So far, you have only seen them in the colourful oldies of the Bollywood screen, now go for the real thing. The four gardens spread in and around the city:

Nasim Bagh (8 km)
The oldest of the Gardens, this quaint little tract of green was built by Akbar in 1586.

Chashme Shahi (9 km)
Situated above the Nehru Memorial Park, it is the smallest of all the Mughal Gardens in Kashmir. Laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632, the Royal Spring in the middle of the garden dominates the terraced landscape. However, it is the only garden where you need to pay an entry fee.

Across the road from Chashme Shahi lies the Pari Mahal (10 km). An old Sufi college, a centre for astrology under Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jehan, the ruins are now preserved in a beautifully landscaped garden that offers wonderful views of the Dal Lake beyond. Go there in the evening when the lights lend a magical glow to the place.

Nishat Bagh (11 km)
With the Dal Lake spread out in front and the Zabarwan Mountains in the background, The Garden of Bliss arguably is the most bewitching sight of all the Mughal Gardens. Laid out in 1633 by Asaf Khan, brother of Empress Noor Jahan, the main watercourse inside the garden is flanked by majestic chinar trees that go down to the lake front. You can get some breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal range from here.

Shalimar Bagh (15 km)
Emperor Jehangir built the Shalimar Bagh for his queen and its royal grandeur is enhanced by the mood of quiet and privacy that hangs in the air. Sweeping views will take you down the shallow terraces, across the lake and then along the main water-channel lined with polished stones. Peep into the black marble pavilion on the uppermost terrace that once used to be the exclusive retreat for royal ladies or witness the glory of Jehangir s court as it unfolds through the sound and light show in the evening (May to October).

Gulmarg (48 km)
First, it s the drive from Srinagar that will mesmerise you ? what with the majestic deodars standing tall by the roadside. And then, it s the Meadow of Flowers that enthrals you with its drop dead gorgeous sight. Home to the highest golf course anywhere in the world, it is also the Mecca of winter sports in India. To add to the excitement, heli-skiing facilities have been recently inaugurated on the famed snowfields of Gulmarg.

Wullar Lake (60 km)
At 300 sq km, it is the largest fresh water lake in Asia, situated at a height of 1,580 m and fringed by snowcapped mountains. The jade blue water of the lake that mirrors the picturesque sights around, also act as a flood reservoir with its levels varying with the season. The picturesque island in the middle of the lake was restored by the famous Sultan Zain-ul-Abedin of Kashmir.

Sonamarg (88 km)
The legendary Meadow of Gold, Sonamarg at 3,000 m in the green slopes of the outer Himalayas, looks straight out of a Swiss picture postcard. The Indus (Sindhu) winds its way through the pine forests and yields a generous catch of trout and mahaseer for the discerning angler. If you are not the fishy type, then roam around and try tracking the many big and small waterfalls that dot the undulating landscape.

Pahalgam (96 km)
By the beautiful blue Indus, tucked into Himalayan pine forests, lies sleepy Pahalgam (2130 m). One of the more popular meadows, Pahalgam serves as the base for the annual Amarnath Yatra (July) as well as numerous trekking routes that branch off from the valley.

Perhaps it s the beautiful climes, perhaps it s the antiquity ? whatever be the reason, the people of Kashmir have built a flourishing tradition of exquisite handicrafts and cottage industries over the ages. The papier-mache boxes and flower vases, the miniature samovars and model houseboats adorned by expert craftsmen with colourful floral designs are excellent souvenirs, but you can also have a loot of more useful items. Fish for those exquisite carpets that speak of a Persian antiquity, or the exotic Pashmina shawls, timeless creations of an art that has reached a culmination in the hands of master weavers.

And finally, round off your booty with a good haul of the choicest walnut woodcarvings and ornate furniture. For the gourmet, an assortment of saffron, shah zira, Kashmiri chillies walnuts, almonds, and honey should be good buys.