AZAD KASHMIR

Topography:

Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh, Sudhanoti and Kotli districts fall into mountainous zone while Mirpur and Bhimber districts generally lie in foot-hills.

People and Culture:

Azad Jammu & Kashmir is a fascinating land of people, languages & culture. The texture of present population is composed of races claiming their descent from Semitic, Mongoloid, Aryans, Persians, Turks & Arabs. The people of districts Kotli, Mirpur & Bhimber, are sturdy, simple, truthful and deeply attached to their land. The culture of this area resembles to that of the adjoining area of Punjab. The people of districts Poonch, Bagh & Sudhanoti are militants and there are numerous anecdotes of their matchless valour as well as inspiring sacrifices for freedom. While district Muzaffarabad has its own distinctive culture. The people of the State are intelligent, ingenious, hard working, mobile & skillful.

Tourist Resort:

Azad Jammu & Kashmir is very rich in natural beauty. Its snow-covered peaks, dense forests, winding rivers, turbulent foaming streams, sweet-scented valleys, velvet green plateaus and climate varying from arctic to tropical, all join together to make it an excellent tourist resort. Valleys like Neelum, Jhelum, Leepa, Rawalakot, Banjosa, Samahni & Baghser unfold delightfull scenic beauty and provide a feast of pleasure to a discerning tourist's eyes.

Azad Kashmir is also blessed with a varied mountainous landscape ranging from low hills to high mountains (2000 to 6000 meters) most suitable for soft to medium adventure tourism. The area provides excellent opportunities for rock climbing, trekking, mountaineering, summer camping and hikes. Moreover, blessed with large number of river & streams Azad Kashmir offers great potential for white water sports, especially rafting, canoeing and kayaking.

Facts For The Visitors:

Tourists/Visitors from all parts of the State & Pakistan can visit Azad Jammu & Kashmir without any restriction. However, they are advised to keep their identity with them. Foreign tourists can visit Azad Kashmir except the areas situated 16 kilometers along the Line of Control (LoC). Foreigners before visiting Azad Kashmir should contact AJK Home Department at Muzaffarabad for issuance of NOC.

Some of the places of tourist interest are:

For Domestic Tourists:

• Neelum Valley
• Jhelum Valley
• Leepa valley
• Tatta Pani
• Rawalakot
• Banjosa
• Ghori Mar
• Lasdanna
• Sudhan Gali.

For All Tourists:

• Dheerkot
• Rawalakot
• Chotta gala
• Chikkar
• Daokhan
• Muzaffarabad
• Mangla & Sehnsa.

List of Tourist Rest Houses/Huts in AZAD KASHMIR

DUSTRICT MUZAFFARABAD:

S.#	Location	Status	Total Rooms (attach bath)
1	Fort, Muzaffarabad	Tourist Rest House	8
2	Saran (Pirchinassi) (Under Construction)	Tourist Rest House	4
3	Shaheed Gali	Tourist Rest House	3
4	Patikka	Tourist Rest House	3

NEELUM VALLEY :

1	Salkhala	Angler's Huts (3 N0s)	4
2	Kutton	Angler's Huts (2 N0s)	4
3	Neelum (Keran)	Tourist Rest House	6
4	Dowarian	Tourist Rest House	2
5	Sharda	Tourist Rest House	5
6	Sharda	Youth Hostel (2 nos)	5 Halls
7	Halmet	Tourist Rest House	2
8	Kel	Tourist Motel	10

JHELUM VALLEY :

1	Subri	Angler's Hut	2
2	Chikkar	Tourist Rest House	3
3	Dao- Khan	Tourist Rest House	3
4	Channanian (Leepa)	Tourist Rest House	2
5	Danna	Tourist Rest House	3

DISTRICT BAGH:

1	Suddhan Gali	Tourist Rest House	6
2	Dheer Kot	Tourist Huts (3 nos.)	6
3	Neela Butt	Tourist Rest House	3
4	Las Danna	Tourist Rest House	3

DISTRICT POONCH:

1	Rawalakot	Tourist Rest House	4
2	Banjosa	Tourist Rest House	5
3	Koian	Tourist Rest House	3
4	Ghori Mar	Tourist Rest House	3
5	Paniola	Tourist Rest House	3
6	Tatta Pani	Tourist Inn	11

DISTRICT KOTLI:

1	Sarda (Kotli)	Tourist Rest House	4
2	Teenda	Tourist Rest House	3
3	Khoirata	Tourist Rest House	3
4	Karela Majhan	Tourist Rest House	3
5	Fateh Pur	Tourist Rest House	3

DISTRICT MIRPUR:

1	Mirpur	Tourist Rest House	2
2	Jandi Chontra	Tourist Rest House	2