Pahalgam (Urdu pronunciation: [pɛhɛlɡɑːm]), known as Pahalgom (Kashmiri pronunciation: [pəhəlʲɡoːm]; lit. 'village of shepherds' in Kashmiri)[3] is a town and a notified area committee, near Anantnag city in the Anantnag district of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[4][5][6][7][8] It is a popular tourist destination and hill station. Its lush green meadows and pristine waters attract thousands of tourists from all over the world each year.[9] It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) from Anantnag on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 m). Pahalgam is the headquarters of one of the eleven tehsils of Anantnag district.

Pahalgam is associated with the annual pilgrimage to the shrine Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari, located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Pahalgam. The town is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the months of July–August, receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists. Because of its religious significance and role as a base camp, the town attracts 70% of visitors to the valley.[10] This flood of tourists overwhelms some of the local infrastructure, especially waste management in the town.

Sonamarg had historical significance as a gateway on the ancient Silk Road, connecting Kashmir with Tibet.^[5][6] Today, the hill station is a popular tourist destination amongst fishers and hikers, and following the Kargil War with neighbouring Pakistan in 1999, serves as a strategically important point for the Indian Army.^{[citation needed]}

On 25 May 2024, a section of a glacier near Thajiwas Glacier collapsed, leading to two tourists to fall into a snow cavity created by the break, killing one. On 2 June 2024, a section of Thajiwas Glacier collapsed, trapping three tourists that were rescued, and killed one laborer.

Gulmarg (Urdu pronunciation: [ɡʊlməɾɡ]), known as Gulmarag^[4] (Kashmiri pronunciation: [ɡulmarɨɡ]; lit. 'meadow of flowers') in Kashmiri, is a town, hill station, tourist destination, skiing destination, and a notified area committee in the Indian controlled part of the disputed territory Jammu and Kashmir^[5][6][7] of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.^[8][9] It is located at a distance of 31 km (19 mi) from Baramulla and 49 km (30 mi) from Srinagar. The town is situated in the India’s well known Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the boundaries of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary.^[10]

Kashmir has many summer retreats suffixed with the word -marg: Sonamarg, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, Youmarg, and Nagmarg. Gulmarg is one of the Margs that has historical importance for Kashmiris.^{[citation needed]}

Gulmarg is a compound word or portmanteau of two Persian words, Gul and Marg. Gul means flowers and Marg means meadow.

Dal (Urdu pronunciation: [ɖəl] ; Kashmiri pronunciation: [ɖal]) is a freshwater lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir in Indian-administered Kashmir. It is an urban lake, the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most visited place in Srinagar by tourists and locals. It is integral to tourism and recreation in the Kashmir valley and is variously known as the "Lake of Flowers",^[1] "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir"^[2] or "Srinagar's Jewel".^[3] The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.^[4][5][6]

The shore line of the lake, about 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal era gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels. Scenic views of the lake can be witnessed from the shore line Mughal gardens, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir,^[7] and from houseboats cruising along the lake in the colourful shikaras.^[8] During the winter season, the temperature can sometimes reach as low as −11 °C (12 °F), freezing the lake.^[6][9]

The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens. The floating gardens, known as "Rad" in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August. The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nigeen (although Nigeen is also considered as an independent lake).^[10] Lokut Dal and Bod Dal each have an island in the centre, known as Rupa Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.^[9][11]

At present, the Dal and the Mughal gardens on its periphery are undergoing intensive restoration measures to fully address the serious eutrophication problems experienced by the lake. Massive investments of approximately US$275 million (₹ 11 billion) are being made by the Government of India to restore the lake to its original splendour.