Azad Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department
Tourism has established itself as an important industry in the world. It has proved
its effectiveness in economic uplift as well as in introducing historical and traditional heritages. Besides other benefits, Tourism is a growth
industry and grows faster than most other exports oriented industries. The tourism industry may promote a better image of the country and thereby
enable it to achieve other objectives. Tourism can be an instrument of a process of transferring wealth from richer parts to the poorer parts of the
country and securing more equitable distribution of wealth.
In Azad Jammu & Kashmir potential-wise, after hydropower, tourism can be described
as the other main resource
Tourism in Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Azad Kashmir is bestowed by nature with exquisite natural beauty and has great potential for the development
of tourism. The picturesque beauty of its valleys, dense forests, winding rivers, turbulent foaming streams, majestic towering mountains, bracing Climate, historical &
cultural heritage, holistic shrines & festivals, and diversity of flora and fauna all go together to make it an excellent tourist resort. The area is full of a variety
of landscapes. Hiking and tracking sites, trout fishing in the frozen waters of the Neelum River, and the remains of the Buddhist civilization in the Sharda Valley are other
areas of tourist attraction. The beautiful woodwork, the famous Kashmiri handicrafts, traditional Kashmiri foods, and above all a clean and pristine environment present other areas
of delight for the tourists on this ‘heaven on earth. The custom rich and traditional Society of AJK is also a subject of anthropological value. The State of Azad Jammu &
Kashmir contributes a distinctive cultural entity developed by its people, which is profoundly different from the rest of the Sub-Continent.
Its mountain terrain and wide
valleys decanted harsh terms on the development of its culture. This is why the people of Azad Jammu & Kashmir have developed into a persistent hard-working, non-aggressive
race that leads a simple & frugal life. Their dances, music, dress, traditions, jewelry, handicrafts, and performing arts all are windows to their character.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS
The State of Jammu and Kashmir embodies the poetry of nature, which no human language can interpret in words. Majestic ice capped mountains, verdant woods, lively rivers and placid lakes form the landscape of the state. Its snow-covered peaks, dense forests, winding rivers, turbulent foaming streams, wheat scented valleys, velvet green plateaus and climate varying from arctic to tropical, all join together to make it an excellent tourist attraction. Valleys like Neelum, Jhelum, Leepa, Sudhan Gali, Mehmood Gali, Devi Gali, Ganga Choti, Rawalakot, Banjonsa,Valley Binah, Khoi Ratta, Tata pani, Samahni, Mangla lake and Baghsar unfold delightful scenic beauty and provide a feast of pleasure to a discerning tourist’s eyes.
Azad Kashmir is also blessed with a varied mountainous landscape ranging from low hills to high mountains (2000 to 6000 meters) most suitable for soft to medium adventure tourism. The area provides excellent opportunities for rock climbing, trekking, mountaineering, summer camping and hikes. Moreover blessed with large number of rivers and streams, the state offers great potential for white water sports like rafting, canoeing and kayaking.
CONTACT DETAILS
Directorate General Tourism & Archaeology
Tourism Complex,
Bank Square, Chattar Muzaffarabad
Tele: +92 5822 921421 Fax: +92 5822 921660
Reservation Desk
Tele: +92 5822 921317
Email: ajktourism@hotmail.com
