Azad Kashmir

For the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, see Jammu and Kashmir Rawalakot Banjosa Lake Azad Kashmir (Urdu:آزاد جموں و کشمیر) is the Pakistani-administered portion of Kashmir. It's self-governing and constitutionally not a part of Pakistan — Azad is Urdu for "free" — but, for all practical purposes, it acts like a part of Pakistan in practice and is claimed by India as well where it is known as "pakistan occupied Kashmir". Cities Muzaffarabad - the capital of the state and close to the epicenter of the 2005 earthquake Mirpur - is the second largest city of Azad Kashmir. Popular for its nearby Mangla view resort. Dadyal - consists of more than 70 smaller villages. Rawalakot Rawalakot- Its Kashmir heaven on earth. Islamgarh Bhimber Kotli Bagh Sudhnati Neelum Other destinations Neelum Valley is a scenic valley located 240kms from Muzaffarabad. It runs parallel to Kaghan valley and is separated by snow covered peaks. It offers panoramic view of hills on both sides of the river, lush green forests, enchanting streams, high altitude lakes and attractive surroundings. It is also ideal for Mount tourism. A scenic road opens this valley to tourists up to Kel, 155 kilometres from Muzaffarabad. Buses ply daily on this route and accommodation facilities are also available in the rest houses at places of tourist attraction. Jhelum Valley is another scenic valley located 59kms from Muzaffarabad Palandri in Sudhnati: Baral is the village near Plandri is a a Beautiful Place.There is a fort of Dogra (sikh) period. Billan Nar is the another small, beautiful place. Niyarain sharif is a religious place. Understand Some parts of Azad Kashmir are off-limits to tourists, especially the 15-mile-wide buffer zone along the Line of Control that separates the state from the neighbouring Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Large portions of Azad Kashmir were devastated in the October 2005 earthquake, which leveled entire villages and towns and killed over 75,000 people. Azad Jammu and Kashmir has an area of 13,297 km² (5,134 mi²). The inhabitants of this region are Kashmiri citizens of ethnic Punjabi origin {Mirpur} and ethnic Kashmiri Muslims. About 4 million people live there. Talk Urdu is the official language, but in practice, people speak a mix of Pahari, Gojri, Pashto, Mirpuri and Hindko. As elsewhere, English is fairly widely spoken among the educated classes and those involved in the tourist industry. Note that Koshur, the native language of Kashmir, is not spoken here, only in the Vale of Kashmir controlled by India. Get in By plane There are no direct flights to Azad Kashmir. Islamabad International Airport [1] in Islamabad is currently scheduled to be expanded and modernized to meet future passenger needs, as the demand for air travel has increased dramatically. There are many airlines flying into and out of Islamabad, including Ariana Afghan Airlines, British Airways, and China Southern Airlines. When the Islamabad airport is used by local government officials and foreign diplomats, however, other travelers might find the airport temporarily closed to them for security reasons. By land Traveling by road to Azad Kashmir is itself an attraction as you come across the most beautiful scenes of winding rivers and hills. It takes about 4 to 5 hours from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad in a car or van. You also pass through the beauty of hills the Murree during the journey. This is the shortest route to this city. Buses and MPVs leave from Islamabad, Pakistan approximately every 20 minutes for different destinations in Azad Kashmir. Get around By bus Muzaffarabad and Mirpur has the busiest bus network in Azad Kashmir, running from early hours of the morning to late night. Daily routes includs Bhimber District, Dina, Gujrat, Jhelum, Kharian & Kotli District. The new coaches in Muzaffarabad / Mirpur travel to larger cities of Pakistan including Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi & Sialkot. By taxis Also by Car hire See Azad Kashmir is rich in natural beauty. Its snow-covered peaks, forests, rivers, streams, valleys, velvet green plateaus and climate varying from arctic to tropical, join together to make it an excellent tourist attraction. Visit scenic valleys like Neelum, Jhelum, Leepa, Rawalakot, Banjosa, Samahni & Baghser. Do Azad Kashmir has varied mountainous landscape ranging from low hills to high mountains (2000 to 6000 m) which are suitable for adventure sports like climbing, trekking, mountaineering, summer camping and hiking. Its Rivers & Stream are suitable for white water sports, especially rafting, canoing and kayaking. It has a varied wildlife to see which includes Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Ibex, Grey Goral, Musk Deer, Kashmir Stag, Monal Pheasant, Western Tragopan, Snow Pheasant, Red-led Partridge, Black Koklas Pheasant, Peacock, Dusk Markhor etc. Eat Kashmiris celebrate the first snowfall of the season by socializing over a goat barbecue. They relax in the cold crisp evenings with a cup of warm 'Kahwa'... a black tea brewed with cinnamon, cardamom and honey. Also a perennial favorite is the pink colored 'Nun Chai' made with a special salt. Rich and redolent with the flavor of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and saffron, Kashmiri food is suitable for all palates. Drink Pakistan is mostly a dry country and Azad Kashmir is no exception. However, Kashmiris, and especially 'Pahari' speakers, are known for their slow-steeped milk tea, known to non-Azad Kashmiris simply as "Kashmiri Chai." Kashmiri chai is fairly sweet, with crushed almonds and a creamy pink complexion. Stay safe Azad Kashmir is considered to be relatively safe, but some parts of it are off-limits to tourists, particularly the 15-mile-wide buffer zone 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, however, are advised to keep their identity papers with them. Foreign tourists are only allowed to visit following places with permit; Dheerkot, Rawalakot, Chotta gala, Chikkar, Daokhan, Muzaffarabad, Mangia & Sehnsa. Permits are issued by the AJK Home Department at Muzaffarabad. Large portions of Azad Kashmir were devastated in the October 2005 earthquake, which leveled entire villages and towns and killed over 75,000 people. Get out Rawalakot Islamabad Skardu Hunza This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!