Kashmir
Discover Kashmir
Kashmir (Kashmiri: کٔشیٖر; Urdu: کشمیر) is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range. Then the name was used for the larger area of a princely state centered on the valley. Today, that area is divided between India, Pakistan, and China. Kashmir's total land area is 225,000 km (87,000 mi), larger than 87 member countries of the United Nations and all but ten states in the US; it is only slightly smaller than the UK (243,000 km). In the first half of the first millennium, the Kashmir region became an important centre of Hinduism and later of Buddhism. Nature has lavishly endowed Kashmir with certain distinctive features that are paralleled by few alpine regions in the world. It is a land of snow clad mountains known for its extravagant natural beauty and contained major caravan routes in ancient times.
What to Experience in Kashmir
brown horse on green grass field near snow covered mountain during daytime
Life on the waters 🛶🏞️
Houseboats on Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir
green grass field near green trees and mountain under white clouds during daytime
field of flowers beside trees
person riding motorcycle on green grass field near snow covered mountain during daytime
Taste of Kashmir...
Wazwan is traditional Kashmiri multi-course meal, mostly of chicken or lamb dishes. Try it if you have the chance. Kehweh (also kahwah, qehwa) is the traditional green tea of Kashmir. It is made by brewing of herbs and saffron. It is often taken in the morning and especially at weddings. It is usually taken with a bread called girdeh that is also traditional in Kashmir. The situation in Kashmir is far from stable. Outbursts of politically motivated violence are possible, especially around Srinag
Location & Landscape
Kashmir is bordered to the northeast by China (Xinjiang and Tibet), to the northwest by Afghanistan (Wakhan Corridor), to the west by Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab) and to the south by India (Himachal Pradesh and Punjab). Although Kashmir is mostly mountainous, the geographical features of the region differ considerably from one part to another, with the plains at the south and the high mountains at the north. The region is divided amongst three countries in a territorial dispute: Paki
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMost cities and towns in Kashmir can be reached by road, and some by train or plane, though some of the more rural areas require trekking and some of the trekking is quite difficult. Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract are administered by China, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are administered by India, and Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are administered by Pakistan. Those parts are reached via respective countries. Kashmir is a picturesque location featuring snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes...
Regions
Explore AreasWhile Kashmir is disputed, each region is described on Wikivoyage as part of the country which has de facto control. This should not be seen as a political endorsement of any claim. The Buddhist emper…...
Language & Talk
Many languages are spoken in the region. In Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, Urdu is the lingua franca and understood by most inhabitants; however, due to the area's diverse cultural blend, many languages are spoken by different populations, including Kashmiri, Pahari-Potwari, Hindko, Gojri, and Punjabi and Pashto in Azad Kashmir. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the Shina language (wi
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The situation in Kashmir is far from stable. Outbursts of politically motivated violence are possible, especially around Srinagar. Demonstrations and rallies can rapidly turn violent. Stay up to date with the news, and be willing to change your plans, when going to Kashmir. Sometimes, temperatures go below freezing, especially in the winter; dress accordingly. Some parts of Kashmir are off-limits to tourists, particularly the 25-km-wide (15-mile) buffer zone or 16 km along the Line of Control that separates Pakistan-administered Kashmir from Indian-administered Kashmir. Clashes across the line
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Kashmir
brown horse on green grass field near snow covered mountain during daytime
Life on the waters 🛶🏞️
Houseboats on Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir
green grass field near green trees and mountain under white clouds during daytime
field of flowers beside trees
person riding motorcycle on green grass field near snow covered mountain during daytime
This is the Government Hut in Aru Valley Pahalgam. Aru is a tourist spot in the Anantnag District of Jammu & Kashmir, India. It is located around 12 km from Pahalgam, 11 km upstream from the Lidder River. Noted for its scenic meadows, lakes and mountains, it is a base camp for trekking to the Kolhoi Glacier and Tarsar Lake.
brown wooden houses near body of water under blue sky during daytime
lake and mountain under cloudy sky
An Indian woman rowing the boat known as "Shikara" in Srinagar, Kashmir.
brown horse on green grass field near snow covered mountain during daytime
Life on the waters 🛶🏞️
Houseboats on Dal Lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir