Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Kashmir, one of the world’s most beautiful places, is also one of the most disputed as half of it lies in Pakistan but half of it is occupied by India. In this article, we’ll be talking about the best places to visit in Azad Kashmir. The word Azad means “to be free”, hence this half being called Azad Kashmir. The territory borders with Gilgit Baltistan to the north and with Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the south and west. On the eastern side, Azad Kashmir borders with the Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir which is separated by a line of control serving as a de facto border. Some of the most beautiful destinations in Kashmir are waiting to be discovered.

The climate in Kashmir is pleasant with hot days in the summer and moderately cold days in winters. The southern parts are especially hot receiving a lot of rain in the monsoon season. The central and northern areas of Kashmir receive snowfall in December and January. Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Kashmir, does not receive snowfall.

Most residents of Kashmir are interestingly not ethnically Kashmiri. In fact, most of them are Pahari people (people of the mountain) who are actually ethnically Punjabi. The ethnically Kashmiri people are more commonly found in the Neelum and Leepa Valleys. Otherwise, the largest community there is the Gujjars, with Sudhans, Jats, and Rajputs following. Muzaffarabad also has a lot of Mughals living there. The official language in Kashmir is Urdu with English also being used. However, the locals speak languages such as Pahari-Pothwari, Kashmiri, or Gujari.

There are many popular food and drinks in Kashmir waiting to be devoured. A popular drink is the Kashmiri Chai which is a delicious pink tea garnished with chopped almonds and pistachios. The cuisine includes Kashmiri Daal Chawal, a mixture of peas, lentils, and boiled rice. Rogan Josh is another popular dish and Kashmiri Raan are also popular local delicacies made with lamb leg.

There are many mesmerizing places to visit in Kashmir boasting a vast diversity of natural ecosystems. From snow-capped mountains, rocky rapids, to green-carpeted plains sprinkled with flowers, you’ll find all the beauty in Kashmir. The culture and delicious food are also waiting to be discovered. Read on to find out more about the best places in Kashmir for tourists.

Top 10 places to visit in Kashmir

Neelum Valley

Just 20km North-East of Muzaffarabad, adjacent to the well-known Kaghan Valley and separated by sparkling white snowy peaks nearly 5000 Meters above sea level, this is a truly breath-taking place popular amongst national and international travellers. It covers an area of about 240km in the Kashmir region of Pakistan and hosts some marvellous meadows, dense forests, and ample streams and rivers with freshwater flowing through them. Being home to places such as Kundal Shahi, Sharda, Salkhala, Kutton, Karen, Dowarian, Kel & Sharda it is sure to make your valley fantasies come to life. The area is also well known for being rich in minerals and makes some of the best-tasting apples, apricots, and walnuts nationally. As for the weather, it is quite pleasant in the summers however it is rather cold in the winters. Hence, it is advised that you visit during March-October; so you don’t have to encounter the harsh cold and always pack warm clothes handy just in case it gets chilly.

Pir Chinasi

About 30km east of Muzaffarabad, Pir Chinasi is a shrine that is a popular sightseeing place at a height of 9500ft. People come here to pay homage to the Sufi Saint Bukhari. The views of grassy plains and the blue sky are admirable here. The spot is also known to provide great paragliding and snowcross jeep rally facilities especially at the start of summer and fall. For the hikers, there is a rustic track that leads to Pir-e-esimaar forests. The views of surrounding mountain peaks are spectacular and the shrine is located in the perfect environment to relax, meditate and contemplate life.

Leepa Valley

This valley is one of a kind, filled with apple orchards and rice fields. The honey and cherries of the valleys are also famous and can be bought from vendors with their stalls on the roadside. Along the valley, traditional Kashmiri houses can be seen. The admirable cottages are all painted colourfully with unique combinations, no two houses are the same. Across the valley are spread tall green and bushy pink trees. You can reach here from Muzaffarabad through Naili and then Reshian Gali which is elevated about 11,000 feet above sea level. From there, you go through Dao Khan and your descent to Leepa Valley starts. The line of control, separating the valley from Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, can be seen from anywhere as it runs from east to west. The sights here are marvellously lovely and the border is very interesting.