Mughal Gardens From the waterways on to the famous Mughal Gardens of Shalimar,Nishat and Chashma Shahi. These gardens were laid out by theMughal emperors, hence the name. This is Kashmir at its royalbest, with the beauty enhanced by the backdrop of lake andmountain and carefully sited for the best views of both. Acrystal spring bubbles out of a stone vase at Chashma Shahi, theroyal spring. It is perched daintily on a hill overlooking theDal Lake.

Shalimar Bagh This royal garden was laid out four hundred years ago by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife. Credit: KOA

Shalimar Bagh has an air of seclusion and repose, and its rowsof fountains and shaded trees seem to recede towards thesnowcapped mountains. One of the attractions is the BlackPavilion, meant for the ladies of the court, set well to the backof the highest of its three terraces.

The Nishat Bagh is another lovely garden with its 12 terracesrepresenting the 12 signs of the zodiac, which descend graduallyand seem to almost merge into the lake. With its flower beds,trees, fountains, the Nishat presents a dramatic sight.

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar Credit: KOA

Shankaracharya Hill
For the best view of the entire city of Srinagar, one has to goto Shankaracharya Hill or the Takhi-i-Solaiman (the Throne ofSolaiman). Srinagar and its lakes Dal and Nagin lie far belowfrom the Hill. The view includes the Jhelum valley with the rivermeandering its way through it. In the distance lies the snowy PirPanjal range. To the southeast lies Anantnag, where the water ofthe mountain streams -the Liddar, the Bhringi and the Arpat --join the Jhelum. From Anantnag, the Jhelum becomes navigable. Thelakes of Wular, Manasbal and Gandarbal lie hidden behind ridgesfrom here.