Attractions Around Seoul

Bukchon Hanok Village
Direction: Subway line 3 (Anguk Station) - Exit 3. jalan terus susur kedai2 antik, masuk kiri dlm 500 mtr dr exit subway station. dlm tuh u all jalan2 jek smpai nmpak umah2 antik nih. 8 Photo Spots in Bukchon

Gyeongbokgung Palace
Direction: Subway line 3 (Gyeonbok-Gong Station) - Exit #5
Fee: 3,000 (adults), 1,500 won (youth: 7-18 yo)
Operating hours:
March ~ October 09:00-18:00 (admission 17:00)
November ~ February 09:00-17:00 (admission 16:00)
English tour starts at 11 am ( FOC)
Closed on Tuesdays
Integrated ticket to palaces : 4 palaces & Jongmo Shrine = 10,000 won

Cheongye Stream
Direction: Subway Line 1: City Hall Station, Jonggak Station, Jongno 3-ga Station, Jongno 5-ga Station, Dongdaemun Station, Sinseoldong Station
Line 2: Euljiro 1-ga Station, Euljiro 3-ga Station, Euljiro 4-ga Station, Sindang Station, Sangwangsibni Station
Line 3: Jongno 3-ga Station
Line 4: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station
Line 5: Gwanghwamun Station
Exit towards Cheonggyecheon Stream

Changgyeonggung Palace Cherry Blossoms
Changgyeonggung Palace, one of the major royal palaces in Seoul, is a prime spot for cherry blossoms. It is said that the cherry trees were originally planted here as a source of lumber for building a new palace. However, the plans for new building construction never materialized. So, the trees stand firmly, offering a fantastic site for cherry blossoms, as well as a gorgeous backdrop for the ancient architecture in the
yehwa Station (Subway Line 4), Exit 4  Go straight, and cross the intersection →  Turn left, and continue for 300m to arrive at Changgyeonggung Palace.

Dongdaemun
Nak beli kain cotton / silk
how to go: stop at dongdaemun station exit 9. when exit from subway,look for a building in front. Name bangunan ni Dongdaemun Shopping Complex,pegi floor 2-5
mostly sell by yards - wide: 60 inches
for normal baju kurung/baju melayu: 4 yards.
for shirts/blouse around 2 yards
prices vary,mostly range between 5,000 - 6,000 won per yard --> posting by K.Jel :
bukak sampai pagi
-Kedai toys, stationeries atau beli barangan utk outdoor activities
Address: Changsin Toy and Stationary Street, 309-29 Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Subway Line 6 Dongmyo Stn. Exit 6
Line 2 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn. Exit 7
Line 1 Dongdaemun Stn. Exit 7
Bus Dongdaemun
103, 101, 105, 144, 152, 201, 260

Personal Taste 'Sanggojae' house
Direction:
- Located in Bukchon Hanok Village
- You need to exit from exit 2 at Anguk Station. Walk straight up until you reach a pharmacy, then you turn in, you will see the whole street Korean traditional old house, you walk up all the way and turn right, turn right again, and here you are at Sanggojae!
- Rumah ni no 43

Nami Island
How to go to Nami Island from downtown Seoul:
By tour bus :
You can take tour bus from Tapgol Park @ Pagoda Park all the way to jetty. Then take the ferry to Namiseom Island. Bas fare 15,000 won (return trip). Early reservation is needed. You still need to buy the ferry and entrance fees ticket at the jetty (8,000 won). Bus departs at 9.30 am from Seoul and heads back dari Nami Island at 4.30pm. You can opt for the tour package, will cost you 23,000 won. This includes return bus ride, ferry and entrance fee.

By train :
1) Myeongdong-->(line4)-->Dongdaemun History & Culture-->(line5)-->Gunja-->(line7)-->Sangbong-->( line yg ke Chuncheon - Gyeongchun line)-->Gapyeong-->(Teksi)-->Naminara Wharf-->(Ferry)-->Nami Island
2) Myeongdong --> Dongdaemun History & Culture Park --> Wangsimni --> Sangbong ( line yg ke Chuncheon - Gyeongchun line) --> Gapyeong --> Naminara Wharf-->(Ferry)-->Nami Island
3) Myeongdong --> Ichon ( Jungang Line - take the one to Deouksu or Yongmun) --> Sangbong ( Gyeongchun Line) --> Gapyeong-->(Teksi)-->Naminara Wharf-->(Ferry)-->Nami Island

At Gapyeong station, ade choice either nak naik taxi or nak amik bas utk pegi jetty. Kalau teksi, rega ikut meter, about rega 4,000 won one way. Bile dah sampai jetty, beli tiket utk naik ferry (pegi balik) and Nami Island entrance fees, rega altogether 8,000 won. Perjalanan naik ferry lebey kurang 5-10 minutes aje.
On the way balik, kalau nak naik teksi pegi train station, tunggu dekat depan bus stop.

Ferry operates:
First ferry departs Gapyeong Wharf at 07:30.
First ferry for Gapyeong Wharf departs Nami Island Wharf at 07:35

Last Ferry
Last ferry departs Gapyeong Wharf at 21:30.
Last ferry departs Nami Island Wharf at 21:35

07:30 to 09:00,ferry runs every 30 minutes.
09:00 to 18:00,ferry runs every 10 to 20 minutes.
18:00 to 21:30,ferry runs every 30 minutes.

Halal food in Nami Island :
Location : between Nami Historium and Winter Sonata photo gallery.
Nama kedai : Cafe Yeonga Jiga (Cafe Drama).
Its just at the right side of the main thoroughfare heading towards into the island. Everyone will be walking along this main thoroughfare. The name of the cafe is clearly listed on the map on the Nami Island pamphlet.

Petite France - Beethoven Virus & Secret Garden filming location
Take subway to Sangbong station. Transfer to Gyeongchun Line 경춘선 and take the train to Cheongpyeong Station 청평역 (about 40 minutes away). Fare : 1,700 won(1,600 won with T-Money)
1) From the Station, take a cab to Petite France(25-30 minutes away). Taxi fare +- 16,500 won.
Entrance fee : 8,000 won
Opening hours : 09:00 ~18:00

2) From the station, take Gapyeong City Tour bus
Fare : 5,000 won
Route : Cheongpyeong Station --> Cheongpyeong Terminal --> Petite France --> Nami Island jetty --> Gapyeong Station --> Gapyeong Terminal

Entrance fee : 8,000 won
Opening hours : 09:00 ~18:00
Can also use the same tour bus to go to Nami Island - using the same ticket.

Myeongdong - Myeongdong station ( Line 4) exit # 5,6,7 - mcm bukit bintang but more on high end stores
- kedai2 kat myeongdong tutup dlm 9.30 - 10.30 mlm

Namdaemun - banyak handicrafts at a cheap price - pretty much like CM
Directions : Hoehyeon station exit#5

On Sundays & public holidays, kedai2 dlm bangunan mostly tutup.ni termasuklah kedai yg jual2 brooch semua tu.yg bukak hanyelah gerai2 yg kat tepi2 jalan tu jer.hence, kalau nak buat serious shopping, sila jgn pegi on sunday
Tempat nak carik brooch:
Bangunan name e- Lengdang, level 2 - area Namdaemun Gate 5
Direction :
Hoehyon station exit no 5 ..
klua2 je btui dpn gate 6 namdaemun .. lepas klua pi kanan
pastu tgk atas akan jumpe 2 building (oren & hijau) belah kanan korg ..
beli brooch nek tingkat 2 bgnn hijau tu ..

Namson / Seoul Tower
To go to Namsan Tower
1) By walking
- Myeongdong station exit#3, walk toward 7-11, straight up, pass by Pacific hotel on your left until you reach cable car station. Walk all the way up using walkaway stairs across the road from the cable car
2) By cable car
- Myeongdong station exit 3, walk towards 7-11, straight up, pass by Pacific hotel on your left until you reach cable car station.
- Myeondong station exit 4 tu jalan terus..pastu jumpa simpang jln besar.tak payah lintas,just belok kiri, pastu jalan sikit dari kejauhan tu memang nampak terowong tu, ade elevator (lift) kat situ yg pegi all the way up to the cable car station

Cable car fares:
Return : 8,000 won, One-way : 6,000

Everland
Directions:
1) Express Bus
From Seoul Nambu Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take an express bus bound for Everland (1 hour ride)
2) Subway + Bus

① At Exit 10 of Gangnam Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), take City Express Bus (jwaseok bus) No. 5002 (50 min ride).

② At Exit 13 of Gyodae Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), take City Express Bus (jwaseok bus) No. 1500 or 1500-1 (80 min ride).

③ At Exit 2 (Seoul Subway Line 2) or Exit 3 (Seoul Subway Line 4) of Sadang Station, take City Express Bus (jwaseok bus) No. 1500-2 (80 min ride)

3) City Bus
From Suwon Intercity Bus Terminal, Suwon Station, Singal, Yongin City Hall, and Yongin University, take city bus No. 66 or city express bus (jwaseok bus) No. 600 (40 min ride).

Insadong - banyak handicrafts, art galleries, korean restaurants
Directions:
- Anguk station exit#6. Go straight for about 100m, then turn left
- Jonggak station exit#3. Go 300m straight, then turn left. Go 100m straight, then veer left into Insadong alley

The 1st Shop Coffee Prince at Hongdae
Take subway Line 2 to Hongik University and go out of Exit 4 Turn right at Seven Springs corner and pass the intersection. At the 3 way intersection turn left. Walk about 100 meters on the road above on the right side. walk about 500 meters until u find the coffee shop on the right

Yangpyeong English Village - BOF filming location ( the school)
Direction:
1) Take train from Cheongnyangni Station to Yongmun 용문, about 1 hour 11 minutes away from Seoul (Taebaek Line, Jungang Line). Fare : 1,800 won ( 1,700 with T-Money).
2) From Myeongdong Station --> Inchon ( transfer to Jungang Line) --> Yongmun - 1.5 hours
Exit #1 at Yongmun station and take a cab to the English Village - 5 to 10 minutes away. Taxi fare around 4,000
Once there, go to Security Office and pay 6,000 won for entry fee.
Mention that you are visiting the BOF filming site and if you are lucky, they might bring you to the F4's classroom.

Gwanghamun Square
(jalan kaki dari Deoksugung exit turn left then straight ) monument & Gwanghanum Gate - gerbang korea - jpn(ct hunter) jalan kaki ke Cheongyesheon stream

63 Building
Direction:Subway line 5, Yeouinaru Station, exit 4 @ Subway Line 5, Yeouido Station, exit 5

Kimchi Museum
B2F, COEX MALL
Subway station Samseong (line 2) exit 5 or 6
Open: Tues - Sun - 10 am to 6 pm,last entry 5.30 pm. Closed on monday

Banpo Bridge - Hangang Park
i) Water show :
* Rainbow Fountain (20min)
- Monday to Thursday: 12:30, 15:00, 20:00, 20:40, 21:20 (5 times a day)
- Friday: 12:30, 15:00, 20:00, 20:40, 21:20, 22:00 (6 times a day)
- Weekends: 12:30, 15:00, 17:00, 20:00, 20:40, 21:30, 22:00 (7 times a day)
※ Inqiries: +82-2-3780-0578

ii) Floating island
Directions: Terminal Express Bus Station, Seoul Subway line 3, 7, 9, Exit #8-2 - jalan straight sampai jumpe big junction under a flyover .. turn right kat sini.. walk straight for about 5-10 minutes, nanti akan pass by family mart on your right... jalan terus sampai jumpe sign Banpo Hangang park... ade tunnel masuk underground utk pegi Hangang Park masuk tunnel kecik tu, then walk straight, kat depan tu la Banpo Hangang Park
subway Dongjak Station, Seoul Subway line 4, Exit #1 - this exit is a bit far from the bridge.. u might have to walk about 1 to 1.5km to watch the water show .. advisable to take the first route

Hello Kitty Cafe
Take the Green Line 2 to Hongik University Station. Use Exit 5 and walk towards the Hongik Univ. Station Intersection. You’ll see the Chunggiwa Gas Station with its unique Korean architectural roof on the opposite corner. You want to turn left at this main intersection. Walk three streets until you see a Tony Moly Skin Care and go right on that street. Then follow the directions above and look for the graffiti cat.

Trick Eye Museum, Seoul
Admission / Participation Fees
Adults: 13,000won (individual) / 10,000 won (group of 20)
Youth: 11,000won (individual) / 8,000 won (group of 20)
Children 3 years old and younger: FREE
Directions : From Exit #9 of Hongdae Station (Subway Line 2), walk straight for 200m towards the Starbucks coffee shop

Gwanjang Market - tempat beli kain
Direction : Jongno-5-ga line 1 and get out from exit 8. The market is within walking distance from Dongdaemun

Budget Korea

Budget Korea
Rate 1000won = RM2.90


Hostel
1st May 2012
ABC Guest Hostel                          15,000    RM43.50     RM43.50/person

2nd May 2012
WWOOF Hanok                          200,000   RM580.00   RM96.67/person

3rd - 6th May 2012
ABC Guest Hostel                         270,000  RM783.00   RM130.50/person

Meal
Meal per day ( x6 )                                      RM30.00 x 6 days = RM180.00

Transportation
Airport to Seoul                                 3,500    RM10.15
Seoul to Airport                                 3,500    RM10.15
Seoul to Unseo Station (bus 710)       3,500    RM10.15
Bus to Sammok Sonchakjang             1,000    RM2.90
Ferry return to Sammock Dock          3,600    RM10.44
Bus Fr/to Sindo to Full house return    2,000    RM5.80
Bicycle rental @ Shindo                     3,000    RM8.70
T-Money for 1 week (3k won)         20,000    RM58.00                        
Refund 500

Attraction Places Entrance Fees
Gyeongbokgung Palace                     3,000     RM8.70                       
Deoksugung Palace                           1,000     RM2.90   
Kimchi Museum
Namsan Tower cable car return         8,000     RM23.20 
Yangpyeong English Village               6,000     RM17.40 
Everland                                         37,000   RM107.30 
Full House                                        5,000     RM14.50 
taxi to namiwharf 1 way                    4,000     RM11.60 
Nami Island & ferry return                8,000     RM23.20 

Total Damage RM775.76

Itinerary Korea 7D6N

1/5/2012

Arrive 10.00pm at Incheon International Airport
Check in at ABC Hostel in Mapo-gu

2/5/2012
7.00am
Changdeokgung Palace- ada secret garden
Buckhon Hanok Village - buckhon 8 views
Gyeongbok Palace (hanbok)
Gwanghanum Gate
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Dongdaemun market
Personel Taste location
1 nite at Hanok GuestHouse Anguk area

3/5/2012
7.00am
Nami Island / Petite France
Sindang Tteokkboki Town
Namdaemun Market
Myeongong
Namsan Tower

4/5/2012
Everland
Insadong
Dongdaemun market
Namdaemun Market

5/5/2012
Coffee Prince cafe
English Village Yangpyeong
Gwanghanum Gate
maybe mengulang ke Dongdaemun market
Mapo Brigde

6/5/2012
7.00 am - 1pm
Shido n Mido Island
1pm-12 midnite
Yeouido Park (maybe nak skip)
63 Sky Art (63 Building)
Coex Mall
Banpo Bridge – rainbow fountain show
Itaewon Market
Masjid Seoul
Lepak Epot

7/5/2012
Flite balik 8.25am

Kalo sempat, nak pergi;
• Hello Kitty Cafe
• Trickeye Museum
• Gwanjang Market

Jom Ke Korea Selatan (Incheon)

Dah lama booking tiket nie iaitu pada 16/11/2011. Pejam celik n pejam celik, esok dh nak pergi iaitu 01/05/2012 hingga 07/05/2012. Masa begitu cepat berlalu.

Flite schedule
01/05/12 : From KL (LCCT Terminal) D7504 1425 hrs n arrive Incheon International Airport  at 2145 hrs
07/05/12 : From Incheon International Airport D7507 0845 hrs n arrive LCCT Terminal at 1415 hrs
Harga Tiket RM631 + check-in baggage for 15kg RM50 or 20kg RM65.

Jom sembang pasal South Korea.

Ada 4 season di South Korea. Memg dah plan nak pergi time Spring. Nak tengok bunga2 yg sedang berkembang di sana terutamanya cherry blossom, tulips n roses. Mesti berwarna warni.

Spring - March, April, May

Summer - June, July, August

Autumn - September, October, Nov

Winter - December, January, February

Cherry Blossom di sepanjang jalan.

Tulips di Everland

Electrical Plug : Jenis 2-pin plug. Nie penting untuk charging bateri hp n camera.

Penginapan : ABC GuestHouse terletak di Sinchon dan WWOOF Korea GuestHouse terletak di Bukchon.

http://www.abcseoulhouse.com/

http://koreawwoof.com/

Persiapan : Baju sejuk sebab cuaca masih sejuk lagi di sana ant 17-20 darjah.

Important Announcement dated 12/01/2012

Fuhhh...., nasib baik sempat pergi... Bersyukur sangat.

Important Announcement: AirAsia X Re-Aligns Network

Dear fans, please be informed that due to soaring taxes and higher jet fuel prices, AirAsia X is re-aligning its network to focus on core markets and will be withdrawing services to India (Mumbai and New Delhi) and Europe (Paris and London) from our Kuala Lumpur hub as follows:

• Mumbai- Four weekly services will be suspended with the last flight on 31 January, 2012
• New Delhi- Daily services will be suspended with the last flight on 22 March, 2012. Flights in March will be reduced to four weekly services.
• London- Six weekly services will be suspended with the last flight on 31 March, 2012
• Paris- Four weekly services will be suspended with the last flight on 30 March, 2012

All Guests who hold bookings after these dates will be offered an alternative travel option at no additional cost to mitigate the inconvenience caused as a result of these route withdrawals. An e-mail stating options that are available will be send, including a full refund, a reroute to another AirAsia X destination (e.g, in Australia and North Asia), or a move to an alternative carrier where available.

AirAsia X will concentrate capacity in our core markets of Australasia, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Announcements of our future expansions plans will be made soon.

Alhamdulillah, bersyukur sangat kerana date yg aku pilih tu tak kena cancel. Kalo tak, tak pasal2 aku rugi nanti. Mana taknyerrr... connecting flite ke Srinagar dh beli n kos utk ground arrangement pun dh RM1000 bayar kat agent di sana. Sumer dh prepared.

Syukur sangat kerana hasrat aku utk melihat salah satu benda ajaib di dunia (TAJ MAHAL) tercapai... Aku bermohon moga Yang Esa permudahkn perjalanan aku n d'geng dan selamat pergi n balik. Aminnn...

Budget Dah Keluar...

KL - Delhi - Kashmir - Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - KL


Travel date : 28/02/2012 - 04/02/2012

Kementerian Kewangan dh kuarkn budget untuk trip nie. Heheheheee... Ini adalah jumlah untuk seorang tauuu...
1. Flight ticket KL-New Delhi - RM467.00
2. Flight ticket Delhi - Srinagar - RM277.00
3. Ground Arrangement - RM1011.00
4. Buat VISA - RM168.00
5. Check-in Baggage - RM100
6. Monuments Entry - RM200
7. Tips for driver n guide - RM30

Minggu lepas bagi deposit kt Tour Agent sana INR14,500. Pastu bank charges RM27 n bank kt Delhi pun kenakn charges RM31... kiranyer both side kena charges. Pulak tu kita yg kena tanggung sumer charges tuu... adoiiii geram n sakit hati jerrr.

8. Bank charges - RM19

JUMLAH KESELURUHAN - RM2,272.00

Jumlah nie tidak termasuk lunch n dinner... Nanti kt sana pandai2 lah makan ikut budget kita oranggg... Kalo rasa ada duit lebih, kita makan beso, kalo duit ciput, kita makan yang murah2 jerrr... backpackers lah katakannnn...

Perghhh... Selamat.

Keesokkan harinyer, 21/12/2011 keluar pula berita baik... di mana CEO AirAsia X cakap dalam news TV3 pasal nak cancel route ke London, Delhi n other place tu adalah tidak betul. Dia org tk pernah ckp macam tu katanya... itu semua tak benar katanya.


Semua as per schedule and sesape yg dah beli tiket jgn risau... Adoiii, lega aku dengar berita ni. So, impian tuk jejakkan kaki ke Taj Mahal n Kashmir harap2 tercapai lah. Hatiku sudah mula berbunga2...

Nantikan cerita kami semasa kami di sana nanti...

Berita Tergempar!!!

Breaking News!!!!


"Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X has written in to the Ministry of Transport on its plans to withdraw its services to Paris, London, Mumbai and Delhi, according to a source.

It is understood that the routes are losing money and that AirAsia X could stop flying there as early as February.

AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani neither confirmed nor denied this.

Read more: AirAsia X-ing services to four cities http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20111219231932/Article/index_html#ixzz1hnMPR7eR" Sumber : Business Times dated 20/12/2011

P/S : Harap2 lah AA tidak menarik balik penerbangan ke New Delhi. Kalau tak, musnah segala impian... :(

Kashmir Syurga Dunia

Kashmir merupakan antara tempat terindah di dunia. Gunung-ganangnya diliputi salji, lembah-lembahnya dihiasi sungai-sungai yang mengalir deras dan tasik-tasik yang bening airnya. Manakala lereng-lereng gunungnya dipenuhi rumput menghijau yang menjadi makanan ternakan pada musim panas dan menjadi ladang bunga yang memercup indah pada musim bunga.


Kerana keindahannya itu, wilayah ini telah digelar “syurga dunia” dan juga “Switzerland Timur”.

Kedudukan

Wilayah Kashmir terletak di hujung barat banjaran Pergunungan Himalaya. Wilayah ini bersempadan dengan India di selatan, Pakistan dan Afghanistan di barat, dan China di timur.

Sejarah

Kashmir merupakan salah satu wilayah rebutan terkenal di dunia. Apabila British memerdekakan India dan Pakistan pada tahu 1947, Kashmir diberi pilihan untuk menyertai India atau Pakistan. Malangnya, India telah menawan wilayah Kashmir. Perebutan yang berlaku antara India, Pakistan dan China menyebabkan wilayah ini terpecah kepada tiga bahagian.

Pada hari ini, rakyat Kashmir bangun memberontak untuk mendapatkan kemerdekaan daripada India dan menubuhkan sebuah negara yang merdeka.

Ekonomi

Suasana politik yang bergolak di wilayah Kashmir bagaimanapun tidak menjejaskan aktiviti ekonomi di sini. Aktiviti ekonomi yang utama di sini ialah pelancongan. Setiap tahun, beribu-ribu pelancong mengunjungi Kashmir untuk menikmati pemandangannya yang indah itu. Rakyat Malaysia merupakan antara pelancong yang paling ramai melawat Kashmir sehinggakan Ringgit Malaysia diterima dalam urusan jual beli di sana.

Selain aktiviti pelancongan, Kashmir terkenal sebagai pengeluar bulu kambing Cashmere yang dieksport ke seluruh dunia, pengeluar barangan kraf tangan seperti selendang, permaidani sutera, tembikar, ukiran kayu dan banyak lagi. Penduduk Islam Kashmir terkenal sebagai tukang ukir yang tiada tandingannya dalam menghasilkan ukiran kayu, barangan logam, dan kraf tangan yang rumit dan cantik. Selain berniaga, mereka turut menggembala biri-biri dan lembu di lereng-lereng gunung yang dipenuhi rumput-rumput yang subur.

Walau bagaimanapun, ekonomi Kashmir terjejas dengan teruk apabila gempa bumi yang dahsyat melanda wilayah ini pada tahun 2005 yang menyebabkan lebih 70000 orang terkorban.

Budaya

Nasi dan daging merupakan makanan ruji penduduk Kashmir. Kashmir terkenal dengan masakan daging lembu yang dimasak dengan pelbagai cara. Selain itu Kashmir juga terkenal dengan minuman teh yang dipanggil kahva, iaitu campuran daun teh hijau yang diperkaya dengan pelbagai jenis herba seperti buah pelaga, badam dan kayu manis. Teh ini dihidang bersama gula tanpa susu. Tedapat juga teh lain yang dipanggil shir chai yang dicampur garam dan susu.

Pakaian penduduk pula berbeza-beza. Secara umum, penduduk beragama Islam memakai pheran, sejenis gaun yang besar dan labuh sehingga ke bawah lutut bersama seledang, shalwar dan sejenis kasut yang dipanggil gurgabi.

Tempat-tempat menarik

Aktviti pelancongan di Kashmir tertumpu di Lembah Kashmir kerana di sinilah terserlahnya keindahan alam semula jadi yang tiada tolong bandingnya. Pelancong-pelancong yang ingin melancong ke Kashmir perlu masuk melalui New Delhi dengan permit dari kerajaan India kerana sebahagian besar Lembah Kashmir terletak di bawah kawalan India.

Srinagar

Srinagar ialah bandar utama di Kashmir. Srinagar juga menjadi ibu negeri bagi musim panas, manakala pada musim dingin ibu negeri berpindah ke Jammu.

Srinagar terkenal dengan keindahan semula jadinya. Di sini terdapat Danau Dal dan Nagin yang sangat indah.

Di atas Danau Dal didirikan rumah sampan sebagai tempat penginapan para pelancong yang bertamu di sini. Rumah-rumah sampan dihias dengan begitu cantik. Terdapat kira-kira 2800 buah rumah sampan, setiap satunya memiliki keunikan dan keistimewaan yang tersendiri.

Kebiasaannya, rumah sampan terdiri daripada tiga bilik dengan masing-masing bilik mempunyai bilik air sendiri. Dalam setiap rumah disediakan seorang pembantu yang akan mengemas rumah dan memasak makanan.

Keindahan Srinagar boleh dinikmati dengan berdayung sampan di Danau Dal atau di Sungai Jhelum yang membelah kota Srinagar. Dari situ para pelancong akan menikmati panorama alam yang dikelilingi pergunungan yang diliputi salji, yang memisahkan Kashmir dari dunia luar.

Di pinggir tasik, tersedia sampan-sampan yang terhias indah yang dipanggil shikara yang membawa para pelancong ke rumah sampan atau ke tempat-tempat membeli belah terapung yang memenuhi tasik. Selain shikara, sampan-sampan biasa juga tersedia untuk digunakan oleh para pelancong yang ingin berdayung sendiri sambil menikmati pemandangan waktu petang dan senja yang mengasyikkan di Srinagar.

Srinagar juga terkenal dengan keindahan dan kehalusan seni permaidaninya. Di sini terdapat kilang permaidani yang menunjukkan cara-cara membuat permaidani. Permaidani buatan tangan di sini dijual dengan harga yang berbeza-beza, bergantung kepada tempoh masa membuatnya, misalnya sebulan, tiga bulan, enam bulan atau sehingga setahun. Semakin lama masa membuatnya, semakin mahal harga permaidani itu.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg terletak tidak kira-kira 60 kilometer dari Srinagar. Gulmarg terletak di kawasan tinggi yang sentiasa di selubungi salji. Kawasan ini termasuk antara tempat bermain ski dan glof yang terbaik di dunia.

Di sini tersedia aktiviti seperti menaiki kereta kabel ke puncak gunung, meluncur salji, menunggang kuda, bermain ski dan bermain golf.

Gulmarg dikenali sebagai Meadow of Flowers iaitu padang rumput yang dipenuhi bunga.

Sonamarg

Sonamarg yang disebut meadow of gold (padang rumput emas) menawarkan pemandangan glasier yang sangat indah dan padang rumput yang dipenuhi bunga-bungaan. Pohon-pohon pain, fir dan birch memenuhi lembah-lembah di Sonamarg.

Fakta
1. Jumlah penduduk 12 juta orang. 85 peratus beragama Islam, selebihnya Hindu, Buddha dan Sikh.
2. Ibukota: Srinagar (musim panas) dan Jammu (musim dingin).
3. Keluasan Wilayah 222.236 kilometer persegi.
4. Sumber ekonomi: Pelancongan, pertanian seperti penanaman padi, jagung dan epal, kraf tangan seperti permaidani, ukiran kayu, selimut dan selendang.
5. Bahasa: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi dan Inggeris
6. Makanan ruji: Padi

(Artikel ini telah tersiar dalam Dewan Pelajar April 2009)

Flight From Delhi To Srinagar

Ada beberapa penerbangan daripada Delhi ke Srinagar. Antaranya :

1. IndiGo Airlines - Low Cost Airlines http://book.goindigo.in/skylights/cgi-bin/skylights.cgi
2. Go Air Ailines - India's Low Cost Domestic Airlines http://goair.in/
3. Kingfisher Airlines - yang nie mahal sikit mcm MAS
4. SpiceJet Airlines