Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year.
Today Srinagar is a resort for the tourist who can experience, at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British to it. Its waterways with their own quaint lifestyle, the unique Houseboat, the blossoming gardens, water sports activities, shopping for lovingly hand-crafted souvenirs and the nearby resorts make it a cherished spot among those looking for a memorable holiday
The demon was delighted with the king's boldness and told him to build the city where he would find the beginnings of a plan laid out for him. The next morning the king found the boundary lines drawn at the foot of Hari Parbat and built his city there. To this day the waters of the Dal Lake are separated from the Tsont-i-Kul by a Sathu or Bund that is shaped like a bent leg.

Houseboats
If one is longing for the delights of a houseboat holiday, then check out lakes of Srinagar to try one. Srinagar is a unique city because of its lakes - the Dal , Nagin and Anchar. The River Jhelum also flows through a part of the city.
Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the banks of the lake, and can be accessed directly from land without the help of a Shikara. While all those on the Dal require a Shikara to get to and from them. Most houseboats on the Dal are situated in long straggling rows; some face the boulevard, Srinagar's exciting address, while others are situated singly or in groups of two and three.

Srinagar Sightseeing
The various tourist attractions in Srinagar are the Shankaracharya temple, Jama Masjid, Dal and Nagin Lake, Mughal Gardens - Nishat, Shalimar and Chahma Shahi and Hari Parbat Fort. Besides this, Pathar Masjid, Shah Hamdan mosque are the famous mosques in Srinagar.

Tourist Attractions in Srinagar
Shankaracharya Temple
The Shankaracharya temple is the unique landmark of Srinagar. This temple is located on a sharp hill called Takht-e-Suleiman, about 1000 feet high, a 5 km climb from Nehru Park on a metalled road, overlooking the city. There are stone steps which will take you right on top where a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva stands. This temple was built in the memory of the Shankaracharya who came to Kashmir from Kerala some 1200 years ago to revive Hinduism. From the top of the Shankaracharya Hill, you can have a panoramic view of the valley, city, lakes and their houseboats, waterways, gardens, the confluence of the Jhelum and Dal Lake and the seven original bridges spanning the serpentine flow of Jhelum river.

Hari Parbat Fort
The Hari Parbat Fort crowns the top of Hari Parbat hill. The Hari Parbat Fort is located beyond Nagin Lake. There is little left of its former glory, but the ramparts are still impressive and the old apartments within the fort, even though in a state of ruin, still convey at least a little of the grandeur of the Mughal's summer retreat. The fort was later developed in 18th century by an Afghan governor, Ata Mohammad Khan. The low wall enclosing the upper part of the hill was built by Akbar in 1592-98 AD. This hill is believed to have appeared at the spot where goddess Parvati killed a demon. The hill is surrounded by almond orchards, which make a lovely sight during April when the trees blossom, heralding the advent of spring in Kashmir. The hill is considered sacred to the Hindus due to the presence of temple of Sharika, which is believed to be a form of goddess Durga or Shakti.

Nagin and Dal Lake
Dal and Nagin Lakes are fed by natural springs. The waters in the Dal and Nagin lake are transparent. But, due to overuse of the Dal lake over the years for growing of vegetables, tourism and other purposes, its size has been reduced to almost half. Nowadays, the government is trying to clean the lake. The various houseboats are located along the banks of the Nagin and Dal Lake. Nagin Lake is clean and provides quiet solitude to tourists. The vegetable market is also located on the Dal and Nagin

Mughal Gardens
Nishat, Shalimar and Chashma Shahi are the three famous Mughal gardens which are situated around the Dal Lake. These Mughal gardens are beautifully laid out with fountains and cascading streams and terraced lawns. These Mughal Gardens were the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnic and excursion.

The Chashma Shahi is the first Mughal Garden which is set into the slopes of its circling hills. This tastefully laid garden commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. Chashma Mughal Gardens Srinagar Shahi means the Royal Spring and is attributed to Shah Jahan. The original garden was laid out by Shah Jahan in 1632 AD. The Chashma Shahi is named after a natural spring that flows here. The spring waters are believed to have curative and digestive properties. The Pari Mahal is situated nearby which was the Sufi Garden College. Pari Mahal, once a Buddhist monastery and royal observatory, was converted into a School of Astrology by Emperor Shah Jahan’s son, Dara Shikoh. The Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five minutes drive from Chashma Shahi.

Nishat Bagh is situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains in its backdrop. This 'garden of bliss' commands a magnificent view of the lake and the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away to the west of the valley. The Shalimar Garden is the most famous garden due to its romantic association with Emperor Jahangir and his lovely queen Noor Jahan. This garden was built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan. An interesting Sound and Light Show on the love story of the two has been mounted here. The central piece on the upper terrace of Shalimar is the Baradari. It was here that Jahangir relaxed with his beautiful bride surrounded by a million roses and the heady smell of all of them. Shalimar garden is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. The garden is 539 m by 182 m and has four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal lined with polished stones and supplied with water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden. The fourth terrace is the best terrace, and was once reserved for royal ladies.

 The Pari Mahal is situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal lake, with a well-laid spacious garden in front, and is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. Nishat and Shalimar are very large gardens, located much further down the boulevard. Both these gardens are built on a symmetrical plan of central waterways with fountains dividing a series of garden terraces. Nishat Bagh was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan. Nishat is the larger of the two gardens and has an impressive plantation of Chenar trees on its highest terrace. The trees were planted during the Mughal period perhaps by the kings themselves.

TREKKING IN KASHMIR

Sonamarg Trekking 
Sonamarg is the staging point for some of the most popular treks in the higher altitudes. A pleasant one day excursion from Sonamarg is to the Thajiwas glacier, 8 km away, and approachable by a pony over a well maintained track. The most popular trek originating from Sonamarg is the Kashmir Lake Trek. It covers the lakes of Gangabal, Vishansar, Kishansar, and close to the Harrnukh peak. The trail first crosses the Nichinai Pass (13 ,387 ft) and then enters the alpine valleys that eventually lead to the Gangabal Lake. Vishansar, Vishnu's Lake, is just over 12,000 ft and slightly larger than the 12,500 ft Kishansar, Krishna's Lake. Gangabal lake is the highlight of this trip. Protected by the three peaks of Mount Harrnukh, Gangabal is 5 miles in circumference and offers the finest trout fishing anywere in Kashmir