A land of unmatched scenic beauty and rich culture, Kashmir truly is a ‘Heaven on Earth’. The state of Jammu and Kashmir shows a rich diversity in its landscape as people move from the south to the north. Low hills in the south, snow-capped peaks and velvety valleys in the centre and a barren, yet enchanting realm in the extreme north make up the state’s geography. The state can be easily reached via road, rail and air from all parts of the country, leading to easy access. One of its top tourist destinations is its capital, Srinagar. Here, people can visit Dal Lake, take a ride on shikaras, stay in a peaceful houseboat and relax in lakeside Mughal gardens like Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashma Shahi. The valley of Kashmir is surrounded by splendid hill stations like Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, where adventure sports like skiing can be relished in winters.