65 km from Leh in the barren mountain valley of river Indus, the monasteries of Alchi are fine examples of traditional Tibetan architecture.

Solid square and rectangular structures with flat roofs and with elaborate murals is a landmark of Buddhist art and architecture in the Himalayan region.

Monastic complex of Alchi mainly comprises the following shrines:
1. Lha-Khang Soma (New Temple)
2. Sumstek (Triple storied shrine)
3. Dukhang (Assembly Hall)
4. Lotsava Lhakhang
5. Manjushri Lhakhang (Temple of Manjushri)
6. Three Chhortens (Stupas)

The murals depicted in the above shrines and stucco images enshrined therein are ascribable to period between 11th to 13th century A.D.

The Dal Lake is in Srinagar.

Dal Lake has rightfully become an icon of the Kashmir tourism industry.

The sparkling quiet waters of Dal surrounded by snow-capped mountains on its three sides, undoubtedly mark it as one of the most beautiful lakes of India.

It is also the second largest lake in the state of J&K with numerous gardens and orchars all along its shores.

The lake covers 18 square kilometers, and is divided by causeways into four basins, called Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin. Lokut-dal and Bod-dal have an island each in the centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank respectively.

It is well known for its approximately 500 Victorian-era wooden houseboats.

Out of about 500 Mughal gardens laid down in 16th to 17th century, only a few still survive, along its shores.

While some geologists believe that the origins of Dal Lake lie in the Pleistocene Oligotrophic Lake that once covered the entire valley of Kashmir, others just believe it to be a flood plain lake.

Leh Palace overlooks the Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh.

Leh Palace is an example of the medieval Tibetan architecture. It features of colossal inclined buttressed walls and protruding wooden balconies.

The highlights of the place are flaking murals and splendor of the ruined royal apartments and its roof terrace offers picturesque views of the town and the snow-capped Stok Kangri mountains.

The Leh Palace is nine storeys high; the upper floors accommodated the royal family, while the lower floors accommodated the stables and store rooms.

The palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century and was later abandoned when Kashmiri forces besieged it in the mid-19th century.

The palace is currently being restored by Kashmiri craftsmen. The palace is open to the public and the roof provides panoramic views of Leh and the surrounding areas.

The Shalimar Gardens were built by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir, in the lake city of Srinagar.

Covering an area of approximately 539 m by 182 m, the Shalimar garden offers an amazing view over the other gardens, lakes and shallow terraces.

There is also a canal lined with polished stones running through the center of the Shalimar Bagh.

Shalimar Garden was built by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in 1616 for his wife Nur Jahan.

The garden is also known as the "garden of love".

Other attractions of the Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir include a number of fountains, shaded trees and innumerable varieties of flowers that blossom in spring and autumn.

A light and sound show is organized in the garden every evening, during the period of May to October.

Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, located in Hemis, Ladakh (within the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir) situated 45km from Leh.

The Gompa is a unique example of a monastic complex which manifests in its structure the geomantic principles which underlie Buddhist architecture.

The monastery was established in 1672 by the LadakhiKing Senge Namgyal.

The Hemis Gompa was founded 350 years ago and is one of the wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh. Hemis belongs to the Kagupa Brugpa sect of Buddhism, the sect dominant in Bhutan.

The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in early June.

Situated on top of a plateau, near the town of Anantnag.

It is the most memorable and beautiful work of King Lalitaditya which he built in honor of the Sun God or Bhaskar.

Lalitaditya was a Kshatriya of Surya (Solar) dynasty. The style of the construction of the temple and the skill exhibited in its construction is rare in the history of the world.

It has a colonnaded courtyard, with the shrine in its center. Built with 84 columns, the temple offers a magnificent view of the Kashmir valley.

Martand holds a very high place in the world`s great architectural designs and is considered to be an example of the Kashmiri architectural skill.

This temple has been built with strong and square limestones and exhibits the pillars of Greek pattern.

The holy Amarnath cave is located near the India-China border hundreds of kilometers away from Srinagar

Inside the Amarnath Cave lies the ice Shiva Linga which is visited by the Hindu pilgrims

The cylindrical ice formation resembling shiva-lingamelts during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter is a stalgamite.

This is a natural phenomenon and is believed to be a shrine of Lord Shiva.

Thousands of tourists visit the place which takes almost 2 days to cover the trip on feet from Baltal.