Jammu & Kashmir Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Jammu & Kashmir is India's northernmost state, sharing international borders with Pakistan and Tibet, with Himachal Pradesh to its south. It comprises three very different topographic and cultural regions: Jammu region, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh-Leh. Jammu city is in the south of the state and is the only region that lies in plains and foothills and is the capital of the state for winter. Kashmir Valley to the north of Jammu has higher elevations, encompassed by the Pir Panjal range on the west and parts of the Great Himalayas on the north east. Srinagar town, the heart of the valley is Jammu & Kashmir's summer capital. Ladakh region is a mountain desert terrain and takes up almost 2/3rds of J&K's territory from the centre to the east.

The natural beauty of the Kashmir valley has been a byword for centuries. The 17th-century Mughal emperors retreated here for summers and built some famous gardens. Srinagar town is defined by the River Jhelum, the Dal and Nagin Lakes, canals and backwaters, as well as old wooden architecture and 17th century mosques. Nearby Gulmarg (2730m) is a meadow with one of the highest golf courses in the world and one of India's rare ski resorts.

In contrast to the valley's comfortable altitudes, Ladakh region is so high that it receives no monsoon rains. The Ladakhi peaks go up to the 7135 m (Nun Peak) in the Great Himalayas range and 7464m of the Teram Kangri 1 Peak in the Karakoram range. The region is interspersed with oasis-villages. Ladakh has been home to Mahayana Buddhism for a thousand years and has noted monasteries along the River Indus: Alchi, Basgo, Thikse, Hemis and Lamayuru. Ladakh's capital Ladakh' is a good base for visiting these and for trekking. Snowbound Ladakh is closed off by road between October-June.

Tourism was J&K's main industry till 1989 when political insurgency began here. Get the latest information on the prevailing situation before visiting the state.