Jammu and Kashmir is the sixth largest state in India including the area occupied by Pakistan and China. The crown of India lies in the extreme north of the country and is bounded on three sides by China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The entire state is almost mountainous, broken by stretches of valley and dotted with mountain lakes. The state is studded with a number of hill stations, which are refreshing cool in summer. They offer to the tourists a leisurely or adventurous holiday amidst breath-taking scenery.

Strategically located Jammu and Kashmir State constitutes the northern most extremity of India. Large parts of it  have, however, been annexed by China and Pakistan. Yet, some of the most majestic parts of this state remain in India. The State is bounded by Pakistan, Afghanistan and China from the West to the East.

It has four geographical zones viz;

Sub-mountain and semi-mountain plain known as kandi or dry belt,

The Shivalak ranges,

The high mountain zone constituting the Kashmir Valley, Pir Panchal range and its off-shoots including Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts and part of Kathua and Udhampur districts

The middle run of the Indus river comprising Leh and Kargil.

A major portion of Jammu & Kashmir State consists of the western Himalayas, which besides many lofty mountain ranges with varying heights of 3000 to 6000 meters and above, also abound in rivers, lakes, passes, glaciers, plateaus and plains. The number of streams, brooks, hill torrents and rivers is also fairly large. The most important rivers are the Indus, Chenab, Jehlum and Ravi.

Tourist Attractions

Srinagar
The city of Srinagar is often known as the "City of Lakes" and is the ideal place to get away from heat and dust of the cities. Srinagar is located in the Kashmir valley and is spread on both sides of the Jhelum river. The setting of the city is increased in its appeal by the presence of the Dal and Nagin lakes whereas the climate of the place ensures that Srinagar remains attractive to the tourists throughout the year. There are many aspects of the city life that are attractive for the tourists which include the waterways, water sports, houseboats, hand crafted souvenirs and to top it all the nearby resorts which give you an unforgettable vacation.

Dal Lake
It is the most famous lake of the city where you'll find the maximum number of houseboats. Whatever your plans in the city of Srinagar, the Dal lake is always going to be in the thick of the things as it is located right in the heart of the city. Other tourist attractions have also come up in the vicinity of it. There is a complete community of the houseboat and shikara residents who have built a complete infrastructure within the lake so that they never have to step on land.

Mughal Gardens
The gardens have terraced lawns and fountains that have a cascading effect project to you the Emperor's idea of a paradise. Today these gardens have become a celebrated destination for picnics and outings.

Gulmarg
It is a charming hill station which captivates you with its verdant slopes and beautiful flowers. Gulmarg was often frequented by Emperor Jehangir who collected many varieties of flowers from here. Though the place has always been a popular as a hill station, it now is home to the highest green golf course in the world. The mountains come alive in the spring when the place is full of colourful flowers. The place is also famous for being a popular skiing attraction among the tourists worldwide.

Pahalgam
The place is about 96 km away from Srinagar and is located in Anantnag district. Initially it was a nondescript shepherd village which later grew in stature and became a popular hill resort. There are eight villages within Pahalgam which live in harmony with each other thereby creating an exceedingly pleasant environment for the tourists who visit the place. It also serves as the base camp for many excursions and expeditions.

Sonamarg
As is the case with all the tourist destinations in Kashmir, the place is really beautiful as you'll find the lush green meadows along with the snow capped mountains but that is not what we intend to talk about. The place abounds in terms of opportunities for the trekkers and hikers as it offers you some of the finest treks which will afford you myriad opportunities to explore the areas such as Vishansar, Krishansar and Gangabal lakes.

Vaishno Devi
It is a pious cave shrine and is located on top of Trikuta hills. The journey to the place begins from Katra and continues through Banganga and Ardhakunwari. It is believed that the Goddess meditated at Ardhakunwari for nine months.

Pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave
It is believed that Lord Shiva resides in the Himalayas though he has built no house or shelter for himself. The trek to Amarnath cave takes place in the month of Shravan (July - August). The place is famous for the naturally formed ice lingam of Lord Shiva.

Access:

How to reach Jammu and Kashmir by Air: The state has three airports, namely: Srinagar , Jammu and Leh. Major airlines like: Indian Airlines , Jet Airways operate regular flights to these airports.

How to reach Jammu and Kashmir by Road: The state has good road network connecting important neighbourhood cities Delhi, Amritsar Ambala, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Shimla and Manali.

How to reach Jammu and Kashmir by Rail: The most important railways station is Jammu Tawi, which is served many important trains and is so well connected with the rest of the country.