Char-i-Sharif

Srinagar & the Kashmir Valley


This sprawling hilltop pilgrimage town celebrates Kashmir’s ‘patron saint’ Sheikh Nuraddin-Wali (1377–1438). His shrine is covered by a vast new mosque with a nine-storey minaret, which replaced a structure that burnt down during unrest in 1995.

Nuraddin's best known disciple was a Kishtwari prince who converted to Islam and ended his days as a holy man in a cave at Aishmuqam.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Srinagar & the Kashmir Valley attractions

1. Sri Pratap Singh Museum

14.38 MILES

It's worth visiting this richly endowed historical museum for its fine 7th-century Buddhist statues, Mughal paper mache work, 4th-century tiles from the…

2. Bund

14.5 MILES

A few colonial-era half-timbered buildings remain along the northern towpath of the Jhelum River. The most splendid example is the former British…

3. Awantipora

14.74 MILES

Beside the Srinagar–Jammu highway in Awantipora, 30km south of Srinagar, lies the chunky ruins of the 9th-century Avantiswamin Temple. The stone blocks…

4. Shankaracharya Mandir

15.58 MILES

On top of thickly forested Shankaracharya Hill, this small Shiva temple is built from hefty blocks of ancient grey stone. Previously known as Takht-i…

5. First Row Houseboats

15.85 MILES

For guests, the first-row houseboats can prove noisy and lacking in privacy. However, as an attraction they collectively form Srinagar's signature image.

6. Khanqah Shah-i-Hamadan

15.99 MILES

This distinctively spired 1730s Muslim pilgrim hall is Srinagar’s most beautiful mosque. It was constructed without any nails, and both frontage and…

7. Pather Mosque

16.01 MILES

Unlike most typical Kashmiri wooden spired mosques, Pather Masjid is a heavy Mughal stone structure, built by Nur Jahan in 1623. The road-facing side is…

8. Mirzabagh Veg Boat Dock

16.14 MILES

Much of Srinagar's fresh produce is brought in from 'floating gardens' and landed at this tiny dock, making for photogenic scenes.