Muzaffarabad

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.

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.

• Buildings: AJK Assembly, AJK Supreme Court, Mosque Assembly Secretariat, Kh. Khurshid Tomb
• Chehla Bridge
• Chikkar is a beautiful summer station at a distance of 46 km from Muzaffarabad on top of the mountain. The outstanding features of this beautiful place are its climate and sceneries. 10 km from Chikkar is another worth seen hill station in the middle of dense green pine forests and is linked by a fair weather road.
• Kundle Shahi is 74 km from Muzaffarabad. Here, silvery stream joins river Neelum, where trout fish is found abundantly.

• Muzaffarabad Fort There are two historical forts on opposite sides of the Neelum River. Red Fort and Black Fort The construction of the Red Fort was finally completed in 1646 by Sultan Muzaffar Khan, the founder of Muzaffarabad city. After the Mughals took over Kashmir, the fort lost its importance. The Mughals were more interested in Kabul, Bukhara, and Badakshan. During the period of Durrani rule, however, the fort again once again assumed its importance. Maharaja Gulab Singh and Rambir Singh, the Dogra rulers, reconstructed and extended the fort for their political and military operations. Towards the middle of 1947, the Dogra forces left, leaving the fort abandoned. The architecture of the fort shows that great experts in design and structure participated in its construction. It is surrounded on three sides by the Neelum River formally known as the Kishenganga River. The northern part of the fort had terraces with steps leading to the bank of the river. The eastern side was very well protected from the hazards of flood waters, but some parts on the north side have suffered damage. There used to be an inn at the entrance to the fort, but only traces of that structure remain now.
• Patikka, 19 km from Muzaffarabad, is a gateway to the Neelum Valley. There is also a mini zoo and a fish hatchery. The Tourism Department has constructed a Tourist Rest House here, which is very popular.
• Pir Chinassi is located eastward of Muzaffarabad. Due to its scenic beauty, velvet green plateaus and wonderful climate, it wins admiration of nature lovers. The view of the summit of the mountain peaks spell bounds a tourist. Devotees of Saint Shah Hussain Bukhari, take pilgrimage to rejuvenate their adust heart. The adjacent Pirchinassi, phawna da Danna and the areas in the bottom of Pirchinassi are also worth seen and ideal for hiking, trekking and camping activities. Tourism Department has also constructed a tourist lodge at Saran.
• Shaheed Gali is 1,640 m above sea level about 16 km west of Muzaffarabad. From Shaheed Gali a trek of 4 km leads towards a spot namely "Sri Kot". A tourist is bound to be fascinated by the serenity for the backdrop of the area. A tourist Rest House is available for accommodation at Shaheed Gali.
• Subri (Langarpura) Lake
• Makra Pahari is 2,900 m above sea level about 70 km north of Muzaffarabad.
• Danna is 5,900 m above sea level about 270 km northward of Muzaffarabad.

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.

• 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.

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 Goshtawa etc. but its hard to find real one.
Goshtawa can be found in Kashmiri bazar, its in the middle of the city you can reach there taking a route of Upper Adda near AJK University or through Famious Madina Market. You can also find kashmiri tea, Kulcha & Kashmiri Bakar khani at same place.

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.

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).

• Agha Jee Hotel

  phone: +92 58810-47383
  address: Bank Rd

• Grand motel

  phone: +92 58810-47383
  address: Bank Rd

• Muzaffarabad Inn

  phone: +92 345-0966664
  address: Naluchi road, near Butt General store
  Family guest house equipped with all basic necessities. Neat and clean. Rental cars, tourist guide and free open area car parking available.

• Nafees Hotel

• Orash Lodge Guest House

  phone: +92 5822-434997-8
  address: 61-B upper chattar

• Pearl ContinentalFive star hotel.

• Sangam hotel

  address: near quaid-e-azam bridge & Red Fort

• Tayba Hotel

  address: Tanga stand

• 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.
• Srinagar, India (through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus) - home of many beautiful gardens and interesting sights.
• Rawalakot - location of Banjosa Lake and Hot Springs in the Tatta Pani area.