Dal Lake
The Dal lake is Srinagar's most distinctive landmark. It is divided by causeways into four parts, the Nagin lake being one of them. Not merely a lifeless body of water, the Dal is unique for the communities that have made it their home, from fishermen to houseboat owners. There are fields of lotus blossoms in parts of the lake, vegtable patches, shops and even villages. The best way of exploring the lake and sites on its shores isby Shikara boat.

Mughal Gardens
Another distinctive feature of Srinagar is the Mughal Gardens with their terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flowerbeds, overlooking the panaroma of Dal Lake. Shalimar, the farthest of the three gardens was built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan. Nishat Bagh was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jahan. Chashmashahi (Royal Spring), the spring of refreshing sweet water cherished by the Mughals, is surrounded by a Mughal Garden laid out by Shah Jahan in 1632 AD. On a nearby spur of the mountain is the ancient monument of Pari Mahal, planned out by Dara Shikoh as a Sufi school, surrounded by a garden.

The Old City
A very interesting and learning sightseeing option in Srinagar is the "Old City" which has a quaint medieval charm of its own and a strong tradition of handicrafts. Travelling through its labyrinthine alleyways, one catches sight of gaily embroidered fabric-raw material for exquisite carpets and shawls-hanging out to dry from top-floor windows of houses. The old city also conceals within its maze, Kashmir's many ancient shrines and mosques among which Shah-i-Hamdan, Makhdoom Sahib, Patthar Masjid, Jama Masjid and Pir Dastagir Sahib are the most prominent.