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Gulmarg's -aka "meadow of flowers'- legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. It is located in the Baramulla district of Kashmir at an altitude of 2,730 m. Gulmarg is 56 km southwest from the capital city of Srinagar and is close to the Indo-Pakistan border. A huge cup-shaped lush green meadow, Gulmarg looks like something out of a fantasy, and in spring, the green meadows are dotted with colourful bluebells, daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups. Surrounding them are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day, one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat in one direction and Srinagar in another. Come December, and the luxuriant green slopes of Gulmarg are blanketed with snow, forming some of the finest natural slopes for ski runs of all levels. It is during this time that Gulmarg acquires a new persona — the country’s premier heli-skiing resort. There are immense beauty and adventure activities that make Gulmarg much more than a cool hill resort. The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there-- roads bordered by avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature's colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.

History

British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.

Attractions:

Khilanmarg : Khilanmarg offers an unparalleled view of the great Himalayan range. This smaller valley is about a 6-km walk from the Gulmarg bus stop and car park. The meadow,carpeted with flowers in the spring,is the site for Gulmarg's winter ski runs and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks and over the Kashmir Valley. It's a 600-metre ascent from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg and during the early spring, as the snow melts, it can be a very muddy hour's climb up the hill. The effort is rewarded,if it's clear,with a sweeping view of the great Himalayas from Nanga Parbat to the twin 7,100-metre peaks of Nun and Kun to the southeast.

Alpather Lake: Beyond Khilanmarg,13-km from Gulmarg at the foot of the twin 4,511 metre Apharwat peaks, lies Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake which remanins frozen until mid-June and even later in the year one can see lumps of ice floating in its cold waters. The walk from Gulmarg follows a well-graded Pony track over the 3,810 metre Apharwat ridge, separating it from Khilanmarg, and then up the valley to the lake at 3,843 metres. The more adventurous trekkers can climb straight up the boulder-strewn slope of the ridge and descend the other side to the path. For horse riding aficionados, Alpather Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, starting early morning and returning late evening.

Shrine Of Baba Reshi / Ziarat Of Baba Reshi : This Muslim shrine is on the slopes below Gulmarg and can be reached from either Gulmarg or Tangmarg. The Ziarat, or tomb, s of a well-known Muslim saint who died here in 1480. Before renouncing worldly ways he was a courtier of the Kashmir King Zain-ul-Abidin. Every year thousands of devotees visit this shrine regardless of the faith they believe in.

Other AttractionsA Cable Car(Gandola) is also installed which is great hit with tourists and it takes tourists upto Kongdori.

By Road : Gulmarg is 56 kms from Srinagar. Jammu & Kashmir SRTC operates regular deluxe and ordinary bus services from Srinagar. In winter, the buses operate up to Tangmarg (11 kms from Gulmarg), the remaining distance being covered with smaller vehicles. Tourist taxis also operate between Srinagar and Gulmarg.