The largest of Srinagar's Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh was laid out in 1619 by Emperor Jahangir on the northeastern shore of Dal Lake. It rises in four terraces, each framed by tall chinar trees whose canopy turns brilliant amber and red in autumn. A central channel runs through all four levels, with marble pavilions straddling the water at each terrace. The innermost terrace, the zenana enclosure built for the women of the court, has particularly fine black marble columns.
The garden is at its best in April and May when the irises, roses, and tulips are in bloom, and again in October when the chinar trees turn. Visit on a weekday morning to beat the tour groups. The main entrance is off the Srinagar-Leh National Highway near the northeast shore of the lake. A combined ticket covers multiple Mughal gardens and is worth buying if you plan to visit more than one.