Char Chinar Dal lake — Attraction in Jammu and Kashmir

"Dal Lake and Char Chinar", The Heartbeat of Kashmir’s Heritage and Tourism. Nestled in the breathtaking valley of Srinagar, Dal Lake and Char Chinar stand as timeless symbols of Kashmir’s natural beauty, Mughal legacy, and cultural vibrancy. Dal Lake, often called the "Jewel of Srinagar," is a sprawling freshwater lake, divided into four basins—Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin Lake. Its history dates back centuries, with mentions in ancient texts and chronicles of Mughal emperors who were captivated by its charm. Emperor Jahangir, in particular, was so enamored by Dal Lake’s splendor that he ordered the construction of the famed Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh along its shores, terraced gardens that remain iconic examples of Mughal horticulture. The lake’s floating gardens, known as "Rad", are a unique agricultural innovation where locals grow vegetables and flowers on buoyant reed mats, a practice believed to have been introduced during the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. Over time, Dal Lake evolved into a hub of commerce and culture, with its famous houseboats—originally built during British rule to bypass laws prohibiting Europeans from owning land—transforming into floating palaces that now attract tourists worldwide. From a tourism perspective, Dal Lake and Char Chinar are indispensable to Kashmir’s identity. The lake’s Shikara rides—graceful wooden boats adorned with vibrant canopies—are a quintessential experience, ferrying visitors through floating markets where vendors sell fresh produce, handicrafts, and even steaming cups of Kahwa (traditional saffron tea). The houseboats, with their intricate woodwork and luxurious amenities, provide a unique stay, blending heritage with hospitality. Meanwhile, Char Chinar serves as a peaceful retreat, often included in Shikara itineraries for its photogenic allure and historical resonance. Together, these landmarks contribute significantly to Kashmir’s economy, sustaining livelihoods through tourism, handicrafts, and...

One of the most incredible places in India, Kashmir is known for its enthralling beauty and is rightly nicknamed as the ‘Heaven on Earth’. With its Picturesque lakes, striking fruit orchards, verdant meadows surrounded with thick woods of pines and deodars, lush green gardens teeming with vibrant flowers and captivating valleys enclosed with snow-covered peaks of Himalayan and Pir-Panjal ranges – Kashmir seems to have directly made its way out from a picture postcard. From enjoying a heavenly ‘Shikara boat ride‘ on the pristine ‘Dal Lake’, strolling through the beautifully manicured ‘Mughal Gardens’, soaking in the untouched pastoral beauty of ‘Betaab’ and ‘Aru’ valleys, paying your homage to ‘Amarnath ji’ standing amidst the ethereal natural beauty of the tiny hamlet of ‘Chandanwari’, relishing the moment of plucking a fresh walnut at one the ‘Walnut Orchards’, braving the strong currents of River Sind during white water rafting in ‘Sonmarg’ to revelling in the adventure of world’s highest Gondola ride at Gulmarg – the magic of Kashmir with its breath-taking vistas is sure to captivate your heart and soul forever. Make sure to buy some of the traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and handlooms items and do try out few of the state’s world famous ‘Wazwan’ delicacies before returning from a memorable holiday in Kashmir. Today I came to visit Dal Lake on in Srinagar Kashmi on 27 July 2025 and last year in 2024 i had also come in August month .

Dal Lake is a major tourist attraction in Srinagar, drawing visitors from around the world.

Dal Lake in Srinagar is also famous for its picturesque beauty, unique houseboats and shikaras, and vibrant floating gardens. It's often called the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" due to its stunning scenery and the unique lifestyle it supports.

Dal Lake is surrounded by the majestic Zabarwan mountain range, which adds to its breathtaking views.

Popular activities include houseboat stays, shikara rides, and exploring the...

Char Chinar, also sometimes rendered Char Chinari, Ropa Lank, or Rupa Lank, is an island in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir India. Dal Lake includes 3 islands, 2 of which are marked with beautiful Chinar trees. The island located on the Bod Dal is known as Rupa Lank (Silver Island), it is marked with the presence of majestic Chinar trees at the four corners, thus known as Char-Chinari (Four Chinars). Murad Baksh, brother of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, constructed the Rupa Lank. The second Chinar Island, known as Sona Lanka (Gold Island), is located on the Lokut Dal, and over looks the holy shrine of Hazratbal. Chinar trees characteristically grow in Eastern Himalayas. They have been an important part of Kashmiri tradition, in that, a Chinar tree is found in almost every village in Kashmir. These trees have survived for ages, because Chinar is basically a long-living tree. It spreads wide across a region of cool climate with sufficient water. The tree has several properties – leaves and bark are used as medicine, the wood, known as lace wood has been used for delicate furniture and the twigs and roots are used for making dyes. The place witnesses two main seasons: summer and winter. Because of the location, Srinagar experiences limited rainfall and it does not have a proper monsoon season. The best season to visit the place is from April to October as it is perfect time for sightseeing and other activities.

opening and closing time

sunrise to sunset,All days of the week-6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Visit Duration:1 to 2 hours

Near By Attraction

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Transportation

Distance between Jammu Tawi Railway Station and Char Chinar Dal Lake is 302 kms or 187.7 miles or 163.1 nautical miles

Application Availability Which Save Some Money

Zomato ,Swiggy(best service for delicious food) Uber,Ola(best service available for cab...