Muzaffarabad

Understand

Muzafarrabad was established in 1646 by Sultan Muzaffar Khan who ruled the Kashmir. He set up a red fort in the city to defend it against the Mughals. Muzafarrabad was the epicenter of the October 2005 earthquake that killed over 75,000 people. The city was devastated and filled with tent camps and non-government organizations. Rebuilding has been slow.

Get in

By road is practically only way to get in. There's an airport in the city but not operational. Buses and minibuses make the scenic journey regularly from Islamabad (4-5 hours).

If you're self-driving, the route via Murree is the quickest if you're coming Islamabad. Kohala is the entry point into Azad Kashmir, where you'll need to get through a checkpoint.

On own transport you need an hour to reach Murree. After Murree the road becomes thin and winding (and very scenic). Give yourself 3 hours to reach Kohala Bridge and another hour to reach Muzaffarabad. Approximately its 5 hours on your own car. The road is often in the process of repair and upgrading so there are slow, unpaved and bumpy sections. Driving this route in daylight, especially for your first time, is highly recommended.

Do

You can indulge in different activities like hiking, trekking and camping at the foothill regions of the Pir Chinassi, Saran, Sun Bun, Muskhi, Sakki and Jarran.

Buy

Handicrafts: Carpets, silk woolen clothing, woolen shawls, wood carving, Papier Mashie, rugs Other products and fruits: mushrooms, honey, walnuts, apples, cherry, medicinal herbs & plants, resin, Deodar, Kail, Chir, Fir, Maple and Ash Timbers, etc.

Eat

The Pearl Continental has Chinese & Continental restaurants (with amazing views). Neelum View Hotel (which is no longer a hotel) has a nice terrace and OK food.

Pakistani and Kashmiri food is available everywhere. Many restaurants offer Chinese and Italian dishes as well.

In restaurants, it is a good idea to ask what is freshly cooked.

Chicken Karahi is a dish recommended for Pakistanis and Kashmiris as it can be cooked easily and one can see this being cooked.

Kashmiri Nan are wonderful in taste.

Try Kashmiri Pink Tea. You can take Kashmiri Kulcha as snack. Kashmiri Kulcha is different from Kulcha sold in Lahore or Gujranwala.

Try typical Kashmiri dishes like Goshtaba etc. but its hard to find real one.

Goshtaba can be found in Kashmiri Bazaar. It's in the middle of the city you can reach there taking a route of Upper Adda near AJK University or through Famous Madina Market. You can also find Kashmiri tea, Kulcha and Kashmiri Bakarkhani at same place.

Drink

Please drink bottled water, locally called mineral water and is available in ½-, 1- and 3-litre bottles.

Soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi are also available

Wine etc. is not available as it is Islamic country, however alcohol can be unofficially purchased by slipping money to the right people at hotels.

Sleep

There are various guest houses, rest houses, motels and hotels at most of the tourist spots which can be booked in advance from their offices in Muzaffarabad. (Tel: 058810-32625).

Go next

Hunza - area known for the ancient watch towers in Ganish, Baltit Fort and Altit Fort as well as carved on rocks along the valley. Islamabad - located on the Pothohar Plateau which is one of the earliest known sites of human settlement in Asia. Skardu - location of an incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers. Baltistan's five valleys, - Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears. Rawalakot - location of Banjosa Lake and Hot Springs in the Tatta Pani area.