Gulmarg is a town and a notified area committee in Baramula district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Importance of Gulmarg
The legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. It is one of the ultimate adventure zones of the Kashmir valley in Jammu and Kashmir.

Location of Gulmarg
The roads of Gulmarg are bordered by rigid avenues of popular snow structures over the flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with quaint villages. Depending on the season, nature`s colours could be translucent green of spring, summer`s rich emerald, or autumn`s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for few minutes to look out to a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.

History of Gulmarg
Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jahangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today, Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country`s premier ski resort in the winter. British Government in India discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. Gulmarg is a hill station in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The town had witnessed militancy in the 1990s, but after a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2003, the town is now peaceful.

Geography of Gulmarg
It is a large meadow located at 34.05 degree north to 74.38 degree East. It is about 3-sq-kms in area and has an average elevation of 2690 metres (8825 feet). It lies 56-km south west of Srinagar.

Climate of Gulmarg
The climatic conditions of Gulmarg are pleasant throughout the year. In summers one has to wear light woollen clothing but in summers heavy woollen clothing is required. The best season to visit the city is April-June.

Culture of Gulmarg
The name evokes an image of a mythical place: at the end of the road, the head of the valley, and the top of the mountain. An ancient culture still resides on both sides of an imaginary line where two countries have battled over this land; for over 150 years this line, this vale, this identity has been disputed in one of the Earth`s most beautiful arenas.

Sports of Gulmarg
Gulmarg, being full with natural endowments, scenic splendour, places of tourist interest round the year, snow mountain peaks and challenging tracks allure the tourists, adventurers and trekkers not only from India but also from abroad. Winter sports in Gulmarg attract sports persons from all over the world. In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the country`s premier skiing resorts. Skiing, to many who watch it on TV, seems like a very elitist sport, requiring a high level of training and expensive equipment. They are surprised, when they visit Gulmarg for a day`s expedition to see the snow that others with the same level of physical fitness and training are skiing down slopes. Gulmarg makes an excellent base for trekking in the northern Pir Panjal Range. Nanga Parbat can be seen to the north from several viewpoints, including Khilanmarg, west and over 1,500 feet up the forested hillside from Gulmarg. The golf courses in Gulmarg are situated at an altitude of 2,650 metres. Gulmarg has got the highest green golf course in the world.

Economy of Gulmarg
The economy of Gulmarg is generally poor. The main source of earning is tourism. There is a need to explore the opportunities in Gulmarg in such a way that it can provide employment not only for the skiers but also for the entire State. The economy otherwise was very poor, now due to tourism and selling of natural gifts like saffron, apples walnuts, and many more, an attempt has been made to move a step forward.

Visiting Information
Gulmarg is visited from all sides of India. Gulmarg is in Baramula District and is 56-kms from Srinagar and Sonamarg is 81-km from Srinagar. The nearest Airport is situated in Badgam District, which is well connected with all the major cities of India. The nearest railhead is at Jammu. All sorts of transport are available to Gulmarg from Srinagar bus stand at Batmallo and from private transport operators. The bus services to Sonamarg are available from Srinagar and Anantnag.

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