Founded in the 6th century, and beautifully located around a number of lakes, Srinagar the 'Beautiful City' is divided in two by the Jhelum River, which is crossed by a number of bridges.
The lush greenery of the valley with its terraced rice fields, fruit orchards and swirling waterways spills into the city via the Dal Lake and the great avenues of the popular Chinar trees. It is a city with a distinctly Central Asian flavour.
The old city is in the vicinity of the Hari Parbat Hill and includes the labyrinth of alleyways, mosques and houses that constitute the commercial heart of the city. The more modern part of the city is farther up the Jhelum River, above its famous seven bridges.
This fresh natural atmosphere combined with the commercial clamor of the old city's twisting medieval streets gives Srinagar a distinctive and vitalizing flavour. Walking down the roads you will see the half- timbered houses and brick churches surrounded by magnolia trees in the garden. The water world of the Dal and Nagin Lakes can be explored in the almost decadent comforts of Shikaras hand paddled water taxis.