Astanmarg, a lush green meadow on top of the Zabarwan range is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Srinagar, Kashmir. What sets this place apart from the rest of the places is that it remains unknown to most of the locals of Srinagar city and the tourists visiting Kashmir. Located just 20 kilometers away from the heart of Srinagar city – Lal Chowk, this place provides an array of scenic views with Dal Lake, Golf Course, Hari Parbat fort and many other tourist places visible to the naked eye from the top. Astanmarg provides a panoramic view of the whole city with the mountains of Zabarwan range caressing from all the sides.
The drive upto Astanmarg is also worth cherishing. It is an uphill 6 kilometres drive from the famous Harwan garden which starts with the hustle bustle of the small town of Harwan and later the orchards of apple & cherry with the mustard fields act as a happy place for the people who want to leave the busy city life behind and find moments of peace.
In 2013, the the department of tourism also introduced paragliding from Astanmarg which really spiked the number of adventure sport enthusiasts visiting this place. The places adjacent to Astanmarg are also worth exploring with Fakir Gujri the standout place. It’s lush meadows, crystal clear streams, exotic pastures and the shades of green everywhere you look really pacifies one’s soul. Fakir Gujri is also a lowkey camping place with it’s amazing view of the dal lake under a clear starry sky. So, for all of you who want to steer clear of the clichéd tourist places in Kashmir but want to stay close to the city, Astanmarg should definitely be a top priority on your list.
