In Kashmir, Srinagar is widely known for its famous attraction, Dal lake. This comes as no surprise when you take a quick look at a map of Srinagar and realize the sheer size of Dal lake. The impact that Dal lake has on both tourists and locals in Srinagar is easily noticeable. To reach Dal lake, we stayed in the Lal Chowk area of Srinagar. Lal Chowk, also known as Ghanta Ghar (House of the Bell), is a tower with a clock and a bell. It is surrounded by hotels and a bustling market, always filled with activity. Once we were able to see beyond the crowds of tourists and vendors, we discovered that Srinagar extends far beyond being just a major tourist hub. Lal Chowk, with its beautiful sitting area in the middle of the road, is a perfect spot for socializing. Whether it’s reading the morning newspaper or witnessing a gathering of seniors in the evening, it serves its purpose well. Sitting on one of its sheltered benches on a sunny day made us feel like true locals.
Dal Lake is closely associated with houseboats and shikaras.
The shikara is a traditional boat from Kashmir that is used for transportation across the lakes in the region. In Dal Lake, these boats compete for the attention of tourists with their vibrant colors and intricate tapestries. Each shikara can accommodate up to four people, with the boatman rowing from the front.
While taking a shikara ride on Dal Lake may seem like a common activity, it is still a must-do experience in Srinagar.
During our visit to Dal Lake, we were amazed by the variety of goods being sold on the water. Our shikara driver would often try to steer us towards these vendors, but we politely declined. The sellers’ displays of jewelry, claims of selling the purest saffron, and freshest flowers were quite entertaining. We even tried some unique ice cream flavors like saffron and Gulkand (rose petal).
One of the most innovative offerings on Dal Lake are the mobile photo studios.
These studios would approach us with sample photo albums and encourage us to choose a picture. They had a range of props to complement the traditional Kashmiri attire, promising a perfect “Damsel from Kashmir” photo. They even offered to deliver the photos to our hotel room by evening.
For those who enjoy dressing up, we recommend giving the photo studios a try!
The main thoroughfare along Dal Lake is the Boulevard Road.
This street is lined with houseboats, each with intricately carved facades and names that evoke far-off lands like California and New Zealand. Staying on a houseboat can be a unique experience, but make sure to choose one that is approved by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department.
Taking a leisurely walk along Boulevard Road, especially during sunset, offers stunning views of the sun setting over Dal Lake, making it another essential activity in Srinagar.
