Azad Kashmir

Banjosa Lake - Rawalakot Banjosa Lake

For the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, see Jammu and Kashmir.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Urdu:آزاد جموں و کشمیر) or, for short, Azad Kashmir (literally Free Kashmir), is the (Pakistani)-controlled portion of Kashmir, lying west of Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir.

Nice people and fertile, green and scenic mountain valleys are characteristics of Azad Kashmir, making it one of the most beautiful regions on the South Asia|Subcontinent. While Kashmir as a whole is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions in the world, Azad Kashmir is as well rich in natural beauty and often dubbed "Heaven on Earth" by tourists for its scenic natural beauty and stunning landscapes. Its snow-covered peaks, forests, rivers, streams, valleys, velvet green plateaus and climate varying from arctic to tropical combine to make it an excellent and popular tourist destination both for domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year.

An Introduction to the Region of Azad Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan is a remote quite a semi-small Autonomous state, with 3 administrative divisions:

1. Mirpur Division

2. Muzaffarabad Division

3. Poonch Division

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Cities

Muzaffarabad – the capital of the state and close to the epicenter of the 2005 earthquake Bagh Bhimber Chak Haryam hills on both sides of the river, lush green forests, enchanting streams, high altitude lakes and attractive surroundings Kotli Mirpur – the second largest city of Azad Kashmir and popular for its nearby Mangla view resort Rawalakot – a place of great natural beauty

More Destinations

• Banjosa lake

Introduction

KN004 - Beautiful Banjosa Lake

Azad Kashmir has a population presence of four million. It is a self-governing territory controlled by Pakistan. It borders the Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir to the east (separated from it by the military control line between the Indian and (Pakistani)-controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir "Line of Control").

A devastating earthquake hit Azad Kashmir in 2005 centered near the city of Muzaffarabad. It was the eighteenth deadliest earthquake of all time and aid teams from around the world came to the affected region to assist in relief.

The culture of Azad Kashmir has many similarities to that of northern Punjabi (Potohar) culture in Punjab province.

Weather

The climate of Azad Kashmir varies with altitude. The central and northern parts, as a mountainous area in the lesser Himalayas zone, is very cold in winter with snowfall and moderate in summer, while the southern parts of Azad Kashmir have extremely hot weather in the summer and only moderately cold weather in the winter. Azad Kashmir receives rainfall in both winters and summers.

Travel to Azad Kashmir

Toli Pir road - Toli Pir

Given the difficult geographical position of Azad Kashmir and there's no train station as yet but there're two airports in Azad Kashmir, in the national capital Muzaffarabad and in Rawalakot, but they are closed and it's not feasible to fly directly to Azad Kashmir. The closest airports are in Islamabad or Rawalpindi.

While by road is the only way to get in Azad Kashmir, traveling by road to Azad Kashmir is itself an attraction as you come across the most beautiful scenes of winding rivers and hills. Practically, Azad Kashmir can be easily approachable by road from all nearby city's of Punjab and buses leave from Islamabad roughly every 20 minutes for different destinations in Azad Kashmir, but the most commonly used routes are:

• From Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad via the beautiful hills of Murree (140 kilometers).

Transportation in Azad Kashmir

Albeit by road is the only practical means of getting around, still there are various ways of getting around in Azad Kashmir, if you are not already travelling with your own vehicle. Most tourists hire a taxi (various kinds available), which takes you around to all the sight seeing spots in Azad Kashmir. Muzaffarabad and Mirpur has the busiest bus network, running from early hours of the morning to late night.

What to See

Azad kashmir -

The northern part of Azad Kashmir encompasses the lower part of the Himalayas where scenic views are in abundance which make it a very popular holiday-retreat during the summer months.

There're many tourist spots but some most well-known are the two historical forts Red Fort (Chak Fort) and Black Fort located on the bank side of the Neelum River in Muzaffarabad. They were contracted in 16th century and holds archaeological significance. Pir Chinasi is tourist spot 30 kilometers east of Muzaffarabad on the top of hills at the altitude of 9,500 feet (2,900 m). The mountain peak has gained large fame for its ziyarat of a famous Saint Pir and this place is visited by tourists who can get a great view of Muzaffarabad and rural areas around the hidden city.

Neelam Valley is a long river, possesses scenic beauty, great panoramic views, towering hills on both sides of the noisy river, lush green forests, enchanting streams and attractive surroundings. Another great river is the Leepa Valley which is full scenic beauty as well. It has high mountains covered with pine trees covered with snow during the winter season.

Some other great tourism attractions are extremely beautiful artificial Banjosa Lake neighbored by densely pine forest and mountains, which make its very charming and romantic. A nearby hilltop Toli Pir is very natural beautiful area.

Muslim Travel Tips

Phullawai Gurase Valley, Azad Kashmir - Phullawai Gurase Valley

Azad Kashmi is known for its great valleys and high lush green mountain ranges which means adventurer outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful. It has varied mountainous landscape ranging from low hills to high mountains (2000 to 6000 m) which are suitable for many adventure sports such as climbing, trekking, mountaineering, summer camping and hiking or even paragliding.

Azad Kashmir is a great place for water sports activities, from rafting, canoeing and kayaking to wind surfacing, boating, rowing and hovercraft.

Shopping in Azad Kashmir

Pashmina

Halal Restaurants & Food in Azad Kashmir

The popular and traditional cuisines of Azad Kashmir are Kashmiri Raan (Fried leg of lamb in Kashmiri style), Rogan Josh, Balti Gosht, Kashmiri Dal Chawal (A mixture of split peas, split red lentils and boiled rice) and Dam Aloo (Fried Potatoes in Kashmiri style).

Kashmiri tea (Kashmiri chai) is a traditional tea beverage of Azad Kashmir. It is slow-steeped milk tea of a creamy pink complexion made from special tea leaves, milk, salt, pistachios, almonds and cardamom and sometimes cinnamon is also added for flavour.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Azad Kashmir, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Azad Kashmir. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Azad Kashmir and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Azad Kashmir. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Azad Kashmir. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Azad Kashmir: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Azad Kashmir.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Azad Kashmir: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Azad Kashmir, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Azad Kashmir.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Azad Kashmir, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Azad Kashmir, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Azad Kashmir and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Azad Kashmir, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Azad Kashmir, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Azad Kashmir without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Azad Kashmir is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Azad Kashmir.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Azad Kashmir is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Azad Kashmir, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Azad Kashmir Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Azad Kashmir

Ramadan 2025 in Azad Kashmir

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are lots of options from dormitories to luxury resort hotels and you can find all type of lodging facilities mostly own by AJK Tourism and Archeology Department available in Azad Kashmir whether you're looking to camp, a budget room for a backpacker or want to pay and stay in luxury. There are various guest houses, rest houses, motels and hotels at most of the tourist spots and in major city's. Rooms in Azad Kashmir range from as low as Pakistan#Money|Rs 1,000 to a whopping Rs 50,000 in the most luxurious hotel Pearls Continental.

Stay Safe

Azad Kashmir is very safe region as compared to rest of the nation where every province has become the target of some terrorism activities.

Crime-wise Azad Kashmir is considered to be relatively safe, but there are some criminals who prey on tourists during high season, so it is always best to keep a low profile.

Sometimes, temperatures go below freezing, especially in the winter; dress accordingly.

Some parts of Azad Kashmir are off-limits to tourists, particularly the 15-mile-wide buffer zone or 16 kilometers along the Line of Control that separates the state from the neighbouring Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Domestic tourists can visit Azad Kashmir without any restriction, but are advised to keep their identity papers with them. Foreign Muslims are allowed to visit the following places only with a perm Dheerkot, Rawalakot, Chotta Gala, Chikkar, Daokhan, Muzaffarabad, Mangia and Sehnsa. Permits are issued by the AJK Home Department at Muzaffarabad.

Don't take photographs of military installations or you'll be in very serious trouble.

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