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 Muzaffarabad, the
capital of the Azad
State of Jammu &
Kashmir, is situated
at the confluence of
the Jhelum & Neelum
rivers. It is at a
distance of 138
kilometers from
Rawalpindi and about
76 kilometers from
Abbottabad.
The present name of
Muzaffarabad has
been given to it
after the name of
Sultan Muzaffar
Khan, a chief of
Bomba Dynasty (in
1652). Cradled by
lofty mountains,
Muzaffarabad is a
blend of varied
cultures and
languages. Being the
capital of the state
it has all the
necessary facilities
of life. In
addition, there are
two historical
forts, Red & Black
Fort, situated on
the opposite sides
of river Neelum. The
Neelum river
streams, proudly
through the hubbub
of the town, joins
river Jhelum at
Domel and plays a
dominant role in the
micro climate of
Muzaffarabad.
Muzaffarabad, being
the capital city is
not only the hub of
political and
cultural activities
but it also serves
as a base camp for
the tourists. It has
various spots of
leisure. View point
Sathra, a public
place, unravels the
panorama of the
entire city before a
beholder. The
junction point of
the river Neelum and
Jhelum presents a
majic beauty from
here. Lohar Gali,
situated 9
kilometers from
Muzaffarabad on
Abbottabad road. The
Red fort is a
witness to the
ancient history of
this great city. The
local market in
Muzaffarabad can be
explored for walnut
carvings, kashmiri
shawls and other
traditional
handicrafts. It is
always possible to
get a good bargain.
Muzaffarabad Fort
Muzaffarabad Fort,
generally known as
Red Fort, traces
back a checquered
history. It is said
that construction of
the fort was
initially taken up
by the Chuk rulers
to counter the
offensives of the
intruders. However,
Sultan Muzaffarabad
Khan, the founder of
Muzaffarabad town,
finally completed it
in 1646. During the
Mughal rule in
Kashmir this Fort
lost its importance,
as they were more
interested in other
parts of their
empire. But when
Durrani's over-took
the rule of this
area, it again came
in to limelight and
its importance was
recovered.
Afterwards during
the Dogra rule of
Maharaja Ghulab
Singh and Maharaja
Ranbir Singh, the
Fort was
reconstructed and
extended according
to their political
and militarial
requirements.
However, towards the
end of 1947 the
Dogra's fled away
leaving the fort
wide open to
anybody. Since then
it has braved
devastating floods,
ravages of time, and
other hazards to
project its inherent
glory and historical
background.
Pir Chinassi
The awe-inspiring
locus, with an
altitude of 2924
meters above the sea
level is located
eastward of
Muzaffarabad. Due to
its tremendous
scenic beauty,
velvet green
plateaus and
wonderful climate,
it wins admiration
of nature lovers.
The view of the
summit of the
neighbouring
mountain peaks spell
bounds a tourist.
Devotees of Saint
Shah Hussain Bukhari,
take pilgrimage to
rejuvenate their
adust heart. The
adjacent Pirchinassi,
phawna da Danna and
the areas in the
bottom of
Pirchinassi, i.e.
Saran, Sud Bun,
Mushki, Sakki and
Jarran phirran are
also worth seen and
ideal for hiking,
trekking and camping
activities
AJK Tourism
Department has also
constructed a
tourist lodge at
Saran to provide
accommodation
facilities to the
tourists.
Shaheed Gali
The comely beauty of
the place attracts a
restive mind to
prolong his stay.
The picturesque
Shaheed Gali,
situated at the
height of about 1640
meters above sea
level is at a
distance of about 16
kilometers westward
from Muzaffarabad.
From Shaheed Gali a
trek of 4 Kms leads
towards a wholesome
spot namely "Sri Kot".
A tourist is bound
to be fascinated by
the serenity for the
backdrop of the
area. A Tourist Rest
House is available
for accommodation at
Shaheed Gali.
Patikka
Located at a
distance of 19 Km
from Muzaffarabad,
it is a gateway to
Neelum valley and
can be the first
journey break on the
way.
A mini zoo and a
fish hatchery have
turned the place
into a site of
diversions. AJK
Tourism Department
has constructed a
Tourist Rest House
here, which is very
popular among
tourists.
Neelum Valley
About 240 kilometers
long the picturesque
Neelum Valley is
situated to the
North & North East
of
 Muzaffarabad.
Running parallel to
the Kaghan Valley it
is separated from it
by snow covered
peaks, some over
4000 meters above
sea level. Excellent
scenic beauty,
panoramic view,
towering hills on
both sides of the
noisy Neelum river,
lush green forests,
enchanting streams,
high altitude lakes
and attractive
surroundings make
the valley a dream
come true.
The area is also
ideal for mountain
tourism. A part of
Nanga Parbat Massif
falls in this area
which is dominated
by "Sarwaali Peak"
(6326 meters) the
highest mountain in
Azad Kashmir.
Moreover like Kaghan
Valley it is famous
for fishing and
angling activities
in Neelum river and
Jagran nullah which
are stocked with
trout fish.
A fair weather road
opens the valley to
tourists up to Kel,
155 kilometers from
Muzaffarabad. Buses
ply daily on this
route and
accommodation
facilities are also
available in the
rest houses at
places of tourist
attraction.
Some of the
places of tourist
interest are
Kundle Shahi
It is 74 Kms from
Muzaffarabad. Here,
silvery stream
Jagran nullah joins
river Neelum, where
trout fish is found
abundantly.
Kutton (Jagran
Valley)
The bewitching
beauty of Kutton
permeated in the
radius of 10
kilometers, makes
Jagran Valley. The
area is 16
kilometers from
Kundal Shahi and is
accessible by road.
For the convenience
of tourists, AJK
tourism Department
has constructed a
rest house here.
Whereas,
accommodation is
also available in
adjacent residential
complex managed by
the Hydro Electric
Board. From here 16
kilometers onward,
Thunian, Ghansi and
Jagran are located
which are worth
seeing spots for
nature lovers and
adventurists.
Salkhala
About 5 kilometers
ahead of Kundal
Shahi, Salkhala is
another secluded
spot of tourist
interest located
across river Neelum.
Here a trout
hatchery has been
established. A
Tourist Rest House
and 3 huts are
available here for
accommodation.
Athmaqam
Athmaqam is 10
kilometers from
Kundal Shahi a
height of 1371
meters. It is the
sub-divisional
headquarter of the
areaand serves as a
take-off point for
tourists interested
in hiking and
exploring the inner
valley. It is an
attractive place
known for its
variety of fruit.
All necessary
facilities viz
bazaar, post office,
banks, hospital,
telephone and PWD
rest house are
available here.
Neelum (Karen)
At a distance of
about 9 Kms from
Athmaqam, Neelum
(Karen) is situated
on the Right Bank of
Neelum River at
about 1524 meters
above sea level. It
has a fascinating
scenery. A small
bazaar and a tourist
rest house situated
on the bank of
meandering river
Neelum across from
where one can have a
glance
 at the Indian
held Kashmir. The
panoramic lush green
valley, profound in
wild fruit and
wildlife, attracts
the tourists from
every nook & corner
of the country.
Owing to its tourist
attraction, AJK
Tourism Department
has launched a
project to convert
it in to a tourist
resort.
Dowarrian
Dowarrian is
situated about 13
Kms from Neelum at
an altitude of about
1615 meters. It is
surrounded by
mountains full of
full of Conifer
trees. A mule track
upto Ratti Gali Pass
about 30 Kms towards
west connects the
Neelum & Kaghan
Valleys. There is a
Forest Rest House on
the top of the hill
and a tourist rest
house is available
for accommodation
near main road.
Sharda
Located ar a
distance of 30
kilometers from
Dowarrian, it is a
breath- taking green
spot at an altitude
of 1981 meters.
Shardi & Nardi are
the two mountain
peaks over looking
the valley, reputed
named after
legendary princesses
Shaeda & Narda. It
has a captivating
landscape with
numerous springs and
hillsides covered
with thick forest.
Over the right bank,
opposite to Sharda,
the river Neelum is
joined by the Surgan
nullah along which a
track leads to the
Noori Nar Pass and
through it to Kaghan
Valley .
In Sharda, one also
finds ruins of an
old Buddhist
Monastery and a fort
which are of
historical
background.
Facilities of a
small bazaar, Post
Office, health
center and Public
Call Office are
available in Sharda.
The AJK Tourism
Department has
established here a
"Tourist Village"
consisting of
Tourist Rest Houses,
Youth Hostels,
Cafeteria and Games
room to facilitate
tourists.
Kel
19 kilometers
journey from Sharda,
upstream takes one
to Kel. It is a
small valley at the
height of 2097
meters. This is
another picturesque
place in the Neelum
Valley . The
Shounter Nullah
joins river Neelum
at this place and
leads to Gilgit
Agency over the
Shounter Pass (4,420
meter). Kel is also
a base camp of
mountaineering
activities up to "
Sarawaali Peak "
6326 meters above
sea level and "Sarawaali
Glacier" which are
said to be the
heighest peak and
biggest glacier of
Azad Kashmir.
Buses ply daily on
this route. It is
advisable to hire a
jeep from Authmaqam
for a trip in to the
Valley. Horses and
ponies can also be
hired locally for
travel to the
interior of the
Neelum Valley .
Banks, Collage,
Hospital, Bazaar,
PCO and a Tourist
Motel are available
here.
Halmet
The border village
about 38 km ahead of
Kel, is a
fascination yet
unexplored. Janawai,
and Sardari are the
most beautiful
places around here.
A tourist rest house
has been constructed
at Halmat to provide
accommodation
facilities to the
visitors.
(Note): Some
of the tourist
places of Neelum
Valley are situated
in the range of Line
of Control (LoC),
therefore, sometimes
it becomes difficult
to visit these
areas. So before
visiting the valley,
the visitors are
required to get
information from AJK
Tourism Department.
Jhelum Valleys
This is an ideal
valley for both the
domestic and
international
tourists. The
curling river Jhelum
passes through from
East to West between
the high green
mountains of this
valley and joins the
river Neelum at
Domel near
Muzaffarabad city.
A 59 Km long
metalled road runs
along the river
Jhelum from
Muzaffarabad to
Chokothi, which is
located adjacent to
line of control (LoC).
Buses & wagons ply
on this route
regularly.
Ghari Dopatta
It is 24 kilometers
from Muzaffarabad.
The town surrounded
by mountains is
located on both
sides of river
Jhelum .
Educational,
medical, telephone,
accommodation and
shopping facilities
are available
 here.
AJK Government has
established here an
"Extension Services
Management Academy (ESMA)",
which provides
training facilities
of international
level.
Chinari
At a distance of 51
Kms from
Muzaffarabad and
surrounded by high
hills, it is
situated on the left
bank of river Jhelum
. All the basic
facilities viz.
Bazaar, hospital,
education, post
office, banks,
telephone are
available here.
Chakothi
Chokothi, 8 Kms
ahead of Chinari, is
a border village.
Only domestic
tourists can visit
this area.
Chikkar
This beautiful
summer station at a
distance of 46 Kms
from Muzaffarabad is
situated on top of
the mountain on the
southern side of
Muzaffarabad. A road
branches off at
Dhanni Baqallan, a
place about 33
kilometers from
Muzaffarabad and
leads to Chikkar,
which is at an
elevation of 1828
meters. The
outstanding features
of this beautiful
place are its
healthy climate and
picturesque
surroundings.
Standing over the
hill one can have a
fascinating view of
the sub- valleys.
A Bazaar, hospital,
educational
institutions, post
office, banks,
telephone etc
provide basic
necessities of life
to the locals as
well as to the
visitors. Public
Works Department's
rest house provides
reasonable
accommodation to the
tourists.
Loon Bagla
10 Kms from Chikkar,
situated at an
altitude of 2011
meters above sea
level, it is another
worth seen hill
station in the
middle of dense
green pine forests
and is linked by a
fair weather road.
The ordinary
requirements of life
are available in the
small bazaar.
Dungian
It is located about
5 Kms ahead of Loon
Bagla. This place is
surrounded by thick
silver Fir forests.
Its high altitude of
2071 meters and
beautiful landscape
have a special
attraction for
tourists. An
experimental station
for the
proliferation of
medicinal Herbs has
also been
established at this
place.
Danna
Amidst Muzaffarabad
to Kohala, a road
bifurcates the
highway and leads to
Danna, crossing the
labyrinthine roads.
Dann is known for
its healthy climate
and alluring scenic
beauty. A tourist
rest house is
available for
accommodation. From
here one can go to
Dheerkot, a known
hill station in
District Bagh.
Leepa Valley
This is the most
fascinating &
loveliest valley in
Azad Kashmir. A
metalled road
branches off for
Leepa from Naily, 45
kilometers from
Muzaffarabad, climbs
over the Reshian
Gali 3200 meters
high and then
 descends to 1677
meters on the other
side into the Leepa
Valley. It spell
bounds everyone who
visits this valley.
The valley remains
open for domestic
tourists only from
May to November. A
few places of
tourist interest in
this valley are:
Leepa
Leepa is a small
village about 60
kilometers from
Naily and 38
kilometers from
Reshian, at an
altitude of 1921
meters. Its lush
green rice fields in
summer and typical
wooden Kashmiri
houses present a
wonderful view to
the people visiting
the area. Walnut,
Apple, Cherry and
honey of Leepa are
very popular and in
great demand.
Dao - Khan
Dao - Khan is
situated some 75
kilometers from
Muzaffarabad. An
unpaved but well
maintained road
branches off from
Reshian to Dao- Khan
(4 kilometers from
Reshian), which is
now well recognized
due to its high
altitude (2490
meters), calm &
peaceful atmosphere,
excellent scenic
beauty and panoramic
views. Accommodation
facilities through
Tourist Rest House
and Forest Rest
House are available.
Owing to flow of
visitors/ tourists
in the summer
season, AJK Tourism
Dept. also provides
tent service for
accommodation.
Chananian
Chananian, 62
kilometers from
Naily & 36
kilometers from
Reshian, is situated
opposite to Leepa,
near the Line of
Control (LOC), at an
altitude of 2226
meters. Surrounded
by thick pine
forests and nullah
Qazi Naag flowing
near by it,
Chananian is also a
worth seeing place
in Leepa Valley .
From Reshian
onwards, one has to
hire jeeps for
journey to Leepa and
other places. |
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