Heaven on Earth: My Peaceful Escape to Srinagar

Srinagar Arrival — First Impressions? Picture Perfect.
The moment I landed in Srinagar, my mind whispered, “This can’t be true.”
Snowfall on the roof tops. Clear blue skies. Pure air. And those towering chinar trees as if nature’s bodyguards.

Even the airport smelt fresh. No chaos, no rush. Like the whole city was on a serene vacation — and I was included.

Easy Hotel Booking — Courtesy of CheQin.ai
Alright, now gets going the intelligent part.

I didn’t book a hotel in advance. Instead, I employed CheQin.ai — simply shared my requirements:

“Warm room, by Dal Lake, free breakfast. Not very pricey.”

In seconds, 5 hotels materialized with lowest deals.
One even included “free Kahwa” in the deal (sold!).

I picked a snug houseboat-like stay overlooking the Jhelum River, warm quilts, and a breakfast fit for royalty.
No hassle. No agent. Just CheQin.ai doing its thing quietly, like a Kashmiri ninja.

Where I Went — Beauty, Tranquility and Snowball Fights
 — Dal Lake — Had a morning shikara ride. Water as calm as glass, I could even see my reflection — and it was looking chill!

Photo by Amit Jain on Unsplash

— Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden — Colours galore. It was like walking inside a canvas.

— Mughal Gardens — Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh are the epitome of peaceful Instagram posts.

— Hazratbal Shrine — Serene and spiritual.

— Local Markets — Bought pashmina and walnut wood souvenir after intense haggling (felt proud).

Food in Srinagar — Hot, Spicy & Full of Ghee (No Regrets)
1-Hot food feels different in cold locations. In Srinagar, it feels like a warm hug from within.

2-Rogan Josh — Spicy, rich, and completely unforgettable.

3-Kahwa — Saffron tea with almonds. I lost count after my fifth cup.

4-Gushtaba — Yogurt-based mutton balls. Sounds strange, tastes heavenly.

5-Dum Aloo & Kashmiri Pulao — The veg side didn’t let me down either.

6-Bakarkhani bread with Noon Chai — Salty pink tea? Strange at first, then addictive.

And yes, I consumed all of this while huddled under a blanket in front of a room heater — the ultimate combination.

People & Local Life — Polite, Peaceful, and Warm
Kashmiri people are soft, generous, and gracious.
Even the auto driver spoke with poetry. He said, “Yahan waqt rukta hai, par dil chal padta hai.” (Time slows down here, but hearts move faster.)

Locals assisted me everywhere — from locating food stalls to getting the best snow pic.

Srinagar First-Timers’ Tips (Straight from Experience)
❄️ Take layers along — it gets chilly even in April.

1) Try CheQin.ai — best hotel rates, no drama.

2) Get a shawl early — even if it’s just to feel posh.

3) Take a morning shikara ride, not only evening.

4)Eat local food — yes, it’s heavy, but absolutely worth it.

5)Respect local customs — it’s part of the magic.

Final Thoughts — Srinagar Was the Trip My Soul Needed
Srinagar isn’t only pretty — it’s serene, poetic, and potent.
It makes you put down your phone and pick up your senses. From the quiet Dal Lake to the cacophonous local markets, every moment was full.

And genuinely, CheQin.ai made everything seamless. No going around, no surprise fees — just transparent, quick hotel booking and more time for Kahwa and snow.

So if you’re thinking of a trip where you want beauty as well as comfort, pack your warm socks, open the CheQin.ai app, and just head to Srinagar.