Places to Visit in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, Asia

Places to Visit in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, Asia

Muzaffarabad is the capital city of Azad Jammu & Kashmir in Pakistan situated on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. It is located at a distance of about 120 kms from Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. Muzaffarabad is the legislative, financial and cultural capital of Azad Kashmir Territory.

Geography of Muzaffarabad:

Muzaffarabad is located between 34°21′ N latitude and 73°28′ E longitude at an average altitude of 737 meters. Muzaffarabad district spans over an area of 6,117 square kilometers.

Muzaffarabad District is surrounded by Neelum District to the north, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa towards west, Kupwara and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir, India to the east and Bagh District on the south.

Etymology and History of Muzaffarabad:

Udabhanda was the original name of Muzaffarabad. Muzaffarabad is named after the Sultan Muhammad Muzaffar Khan. The family of Sultan Muhammad Muzaffar Khan ruled Muzaffarabad for more than hundred years.

The major kings in the family of Sultan Muhammad Muzaffar Khan were Sultan Hassan Ali Khan, Sultan Qutub-ud-din Khan, Sultan Matwali khan and Sultan Feroz din Khan.

Connectivity to Muzaffarabad:

Muzaffarabad has one airport, but currently not in use. The nearest working domestic airport to Muzaffarabad is Mansehra Airport and international airport is at Islamabad located about 50 kms and 140 kms respectively.

Reaching Muzaffarabad by trains is little difficult, because there are few facilitated railway stations located and Muzaffarabad are Havelian Railway Station and Islamabad Railway Station are in the vicinity of the city.

There are plenty of tourist vehicles passing through Muzaffarabad and tourists can hire Taxi or Auto Rickshaws or Jeeps to travel within the city and to reach airport.

Things to do in Muzaffarabad:

Hiking
Trekking
Camping

Culture, Food and Shopping in Muzaffarabad:

Muzaffarabad city is filled with greater percentage of Muslim and few Hindu communities. The languages spoken by the natives include Pahari, Potohari, Majhi, Chhachi, Gojri, Kashmiri, Urdu, Balti and Shina.

Muzaffarabad houses silk woolen clothing, woolen shawls, rugs, wood carving and carpets shops. Walnuts, apples, medicinal herbs & plants, honey, resin, deodar, cherry and Kail are available at reasonable price.

The hotels of Muzaffarabad offer Chinese, Italian, Pakistani, Kashmiri cuisine and the special foods available in the hotels include Chicken Karahi, Kashmiri Nan, Kashmiri Kulcha and Goshtawa.

Places to see in Muzaffarabad:

Muzaffarabad Fort:

Muzaffarabad Forts is prime tourist attractions and the major landmark of Muzaffarabad. Red Fort and Black Fort are located on the opposite side of Neelum River. Red Fort was constructed by the founder of Muzaffarabad city Sultan Muzaffar Khan in the year 1646. These forts underwent redevelopment by the Dogra rulers Maharaja Gulab Singh and Rambir Singh during 19^th century.

Shaheed Gali:

Shaheed Gali is located about 16 kilometers away from Muzaffarabad city is placed at an altitude of 1640 meters. One Rest House is found at Shaheed Gali.

Patikka:

Patikka houses a mini zoo and a fish hatchery is situated 19 kms from Muzaffarabad. There is one guest house located in the vicinity of Patikka.

The list of other tourist attractions in Muzaffarabad are:

Pir Chinassi
Chikkar
Kundle Shahi
Subri (Langarpura) Lake
Chehla Bridge
Khurshid Tomb

Best time to visit Muzaffarabad:

Autumn season is the best time to visit Muzaffarabad.

Accommodation Options near Muzaffarabad:

The middle range hotels at Muzaffarabad cost Rs 2500-5000 per night with cable TV, hot water and fitness centre. The major hotels in Muzaffarabad are as follows: