Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir

The name Kashmir is synonymous with conflict, but it boasts places of spectacular beauty. Dal Lake glimmers in the middle of Srinagar, the region’s most populous city. People live on the water, sell on the water, travel the water. In the morning, the lakes are glassy and mist-covered. In the afternoon, they are mirrors that reflect the sky and Himalayas. Every now and then a kingfisher’s dive will pierce the surface. The lake is a sanctuary for myriad birds, and a peaceful spot in a region plagued with conflict.