Houseboats

Houseboats have been the main attraction for the tourists to visit Kashmir and it was first the river Jhelum which used to attract foreign tourists in the houseboats especially during the period of pre 1947.

However, finally houseboats were laid on the waters of Dal Lake and with the passage of time the houseboats on the both sides of river Jhelum especially from Zero Bridge to Maisuma, finally lost touch with the foreign tourists and many of them started their business within the Dal Lake.

Houseboats used to attract European tourists to Kashmir valley and many of them used to stay in the houseboats on the waters of river Jhelum especially from Zero Bridge area to Lal Chowk.

Now the UT administration of Jammu and Kashmir wants to re-introduce houseboats along with the culture and hospitality to the tourists in the current season.

During the Tulip festival, even a houseboat would be the theme of attraction for the tourists to visit Kashmir and enjoy their stay on the waters of Dal Lake.

The government is keen to preserve these floating hotels for the tourists and for this purpose they are going to not only protect the Dal waters from pollution but also to protect this unique attraction for the tourists to visit Kashmir.