Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Azad State of Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad
is situated at the confluence of the Jehlum & Neelum rivers. It is at a distance of 138 kilometers from Rawalpindi and about 76 kilometers from Abbottabad. 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.
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 Jehlum 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.
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.
Jhelum Valley
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.
Rawalakot
Rawalakot, the district headquarter, is situated in the heart of district Poonch. The altitude of this beautiful saucer-shaped valley is 1615 meters. Situated at a distance of 76 kilometers from Kohalla, it is also linked with Rawalpindi/Islamabad via Azad pattan and Dhalkot and with Muzaffarabad via Kohalla by black top roads. The construction of Guoien Nullah road between Rawalakot and Azad pattan has considerably reduced the distance and journey time. During summer the place becomes full of green grass and beautiful flowers including many varieties of roses. The town has few good bazaars where all essential commodities of life are easily available.
In Rawalakot, besides tourist rest house and circuit house, some good hotels and private guest houses provide comfortable accommodation.
Bagh
Bagh, the district headquarters of district Bagh is 100 Kilometers from Muzaffarabad via Kohallah & 80 Kilometers via Suddhen Gali, 205 Kilometers from Islamabad and 48 kilometers from Rawalakot. This town is situated on the confluence of two mini nullahs- Malwani & Mall, which flow all the year round. The people of Bagh are brave, courageous and skilled, especially the artificers in the field of bakery & confectionery. The well recognized " Haji Peer Pass " is about 32 kilometers from Bagh City linked with metalled road. Middle standard hotels, PWD and Forest rest houses are available for visitors, whereas, all the basic necessities of life are available in the Bagh bazars.
Suddhen Gali
Sudhangali, located at a height of 2134 meters, links Chikkar with Bagh, a town in the Bagh district. This scenic spot also serves as a base camp for those interested in hiking/ trekking to the nearby 3045 meters high mountain "Ganga Choti". It is also linked with Chikkar.
Buses & vans ply daily from Bagh, Chikkar & Muzaffarabad to this place. A tourist rest house & PWD rest house provide reasonable accommodation facilities here.
Kotli
Kotli, the District Headquarter, is at a distance of 141 kilometers from Rawalpindi / Islamabad via Sensa, Holar and Kahuta. It is linked with Mirpur by two metalloid roads, one via Rajdhani (90 Kilometers) and the other via Charhoi. It is also directly linked with Rawalakot via Trarkhal (82 Kilometers). Kotli has all the basic facilities like bazaars, banks, hospital, colleges, telephone & telegraph office etc. A PWD Rest House, Tourist Rest House at Sarda and middle standard hotels in the town provide accommodation facilities to the visitors.
Mirpur
Mirpur, the district headquarter is situated at an elevation of 459 meters A.S.L. It is linked with the main Peshawar- Karachi Grand Trunk Road at Dina, a small town about 15 kilometers short of Jhelum city.
The construction of Mangla Dam converted the old Mirpur town into a big artificial lake and effected a population of about 50,000. But it paved the way for existing new Mirpur town situated on the bank of Mangla Lake. The city is well planned and buildings are mostly of modern design. Mirpur has developed into an industrial city very rapidly. All the basic amenities of life are available in Mirpur. Colleges, hospitals, banks, shopping centers, hotels, telephone & telegraph units, Forest , PWD, Industries and Tourist rest houses exist in the city. Bus and wagon transport services are also available.
Khari Shareef
8 kilometers from Mirpur, a black top road runs to Khari Shareef, a place of religious importance. This place is well known due to the shrines of Baba Peer-e-Shah Ghazi and Mian Mohammad Buksh (the author of famous "Saif-ul- Malook" based on mystic poetry. Thousands of pilgrims visit this sacred place to rejuvenate their adust hearts daily.
Bhimber
Bhimber, the district headquarter is an old historic town, discussed by Mughal Emperor, "Jahangeer" in his book "Tuzh-e-Jahangiri". It falls on the route that was followed by the Mughal Emperors for their frequent visits to the Kashmir Valley .
Bhimber town is located at a distance of 50 kilometers from Mirpur and 166 kilometers from Rawalpindi . This town is connected both with Mirpur & Gujrat through all weather black top roads. All the basic amenities of life are available in Bhimber.
