Harwan garden
Lawns and a canal under the hills — a local picnic favourite.
Garden, reservoir and Buddhist ruins
Harwan
A shaded garden and reservoir beyond Shalimar at the foot of the Zabarwan hills, with the remains of an early Buddhist monastery and its unique stamped terracotta tiles nearby.
Srinagar districtAbout 18 km · 40 min from Srinagar
Harwan is a village and garden just beyond Shalimar Bagh, where the Dachigam valley opens out. The Harwan garden is a long, shaded lawn beside a canal, with the reservoir above it that supplies water to Srinagar — and, in Mughal times, to the fountains of Shalimar.
On the hillside above lies an archaeological site: the remains of a Buddhist monastery and stupa from around the 3rd to 5th century CE. Harwan is best known for its moulded terracotta tiles stamped with dancers, musicians, animals and hunting scenes — some of them now displayed at the SPS Museum in Srinagar.
Who it suits
Families like the Harwan garden for a picnic away from the busier Mughal gardens. History lovers come for the ruins. It is also the road to the gate of the Dachigam National Park.
Combine with Burzahom and Shalimar Bagh for a half day.
Things to do
What to see in Harwan
The Buddhist site
Foundations of a monastery and stupa on the slope above.
Harwan reservoir
The lake that feeds Srinagar’s water supply.
Best time to visit
April to October.
How to reach
- From Srinagar — about 18 km via Shalimar, roughly 40 minutes.
Tour packages
All packagesAdd Harwan to a Kashmir package
Best Seller4N / 5D
Kashmir 4N/5D — Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg & Pahalgam
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
The complete valley circuit with deluxe stays on MAP plan, a private vehicle throughout and an hour on Dal Lake by shikara.
- Dal Lake Shikara
- Gulmarg
- Sonamarg
- Pahalgam
Starting from₹27,200total, all inclusive
Houseboat Stay5N / 6D
Kashmir 5N/6D with Pahalgam Stay & Deluxe Houseboat
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam · Dal Lake
Adds a night in Pahalgam and a night aboard a deluxe Dal Lake houseboat to the classic valley circuit.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Pahalgam Stay
- Shikara Ride
- Private Sedan
Starting from₹29,700total, all inclusive
Budget Romance4N / 5D
Glimpse of Kashmir — 4N/5D Honeymoon
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
Deluxe houseboat, shikara ride, candlelight dinner and cake across the four main valley stops.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Shikara Ride
- Candle Dinner
- Cake
Starting from₹36,645total, all inclusive
Questions
Visiting Harwan
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Srinagar district
All destinationsMore places to visit in Srinagar
- SrinagarThe summer capital
- Dal LakeJewel in the crown of Kashmir
- Shalimar BaghJahangir’s garden for Nur Jahan
- Nishat BaghThe garden of delight
- Chashme ShahiThe royal spring
- Pari MahalThe palace of fairies
- Tulip GardenAsia’s largest tulip garden
- Shankaracharya TempleThe hilltop Shiva temple
- Hazratbal ShrineThe white marble shrine on Dal Lake
- Jamia MasjidThe great mosque of the old city
- Nigeen LakeThe quiet side of Dal
- Dachigam National ParkHome of the Kashmir stag
- BadamwariThe almond garden in spring
- Zero BridgeThe old wooden bridge on the Jhelum
- BurzahomKashmir’s Neolithic village
- Hari ParbatThe fort hill of the old city
- Khanqah-e-MoulaThe papier-mâché shrine on the Jhelum
- Pathar MasjidNur Jahan’s stone mosque
- SPS MuseumKashmir’s oldest museum
- Hokersar WetlandWinter home of migratory birds
- Badshah TombA 15th-century royal tomb
Nearby
Other places in the valley
Home of the Kashmir stag
Dachigam National Park
Kashmir’s Neolithic village
Burzahom
Jahangir’s garden for Nur Jahan
Shalimar Bagh
The summer capital