Srinagar is the major tourist hub of Kashmir. The smallish city sits on the banks of the placid and picturesque Dal Lake, a serene expanse of water which backs onto a horizon of dramatic Pir Panjal peaks. For many, accommodation here will be directly on the water, found in low-slung, comfortable and cosy houseboats. There are a number of beautiful garden complexes in the city, as well as several equally picturesque wooden mosques. Srinagar is used as a jumping off point for wider exploration in the Jammu and Kashmir region: the city, and wider area are regularly (and currently) out-of-bounds for international travellers due to ongoing disputes between India and Pakistan.