Kashmir is pretty! Scenic landscapes, friendly people. Pity that conflict between Pakistan, India and Kashmiri separatist hit the tourism industry badly. However according to our guide, the tourism industry has rebound, which is good for Kashmiri. But what I have seen during the trip, compare to Ladakh, most tourist coming to Srinagar are local tourist, some of them come for pilgrimage trip. Not many foreign tourist we met in Srinagar during our 4-days stay.
I went to Kashmir (the India side) on last August with my travel and diving buddy, Frieda. When we booked the trip, we did not realise that we will be in Srinagar during Lebaran/Hari Raya. Most of Kashmiri are Muslim. All stores and restaurant were closed, except the gardens, where most Kashmiri hang out with friends/families, celebrate Lebaran. Srinagar have some beautiful mughal gardens. So, we celebrate Lebaran in the gardens with the local.
When you come to Srinagar, try to stay at one of the houseboat.Most tourist will combine staying at the houseboat and ordinary hotel. In our case, we stayed at the houseboat, because too lazy to move ^^ In the evening, before
the sunset, enjoy shikara ride, explore the lake, visiting floating village, floating
stores for souvenir ^^ Beside the shawls, Kashmir also famous for papier machie
making and walnut woodcarving.
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| House boat, typical accommodation in Dal Lake |
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| Exploring Dal Lake in the late afternoon with Shikara |
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| Shikara - water taxi in Dal Lake |
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| Sunset @ Dal Lake |
Main tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgram can be reach on a day trip. For the first time I try horse riding in Gulmarg ^^
