Situated at the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers and surrounded by majestic mountains, Muzaffarabad looks like a walled paradise. It is the administrative capital of Azad Kashmir. Behind the Secretariat to the east is a road climbing above the town from where one can walk upto Pir Chinasi located at 2,900 meters with breathtaking views of the Jhelum Valley and high mountain peaks just above the Neelum towards the North. From the cool on the Abbottabad Road, you can walk along the ridge looking over the Jhelum and Kunhar rivers.

The city was founded by Sultan Muzaffar Khan of Bamba dynasty and was the seat of an independent State for quite a long period. The city is now a combination of old and new buildings and a blend of different cultures and languages. It has besides official buildings; farms, parks and historic forts standing on the banks of the Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Rawalakot and Kotli and are connected with the rest of Pakistan through Micro-wave telephony system.

Well-Pass the Red Fort, crossing Neelum river at Ghori, a few km away is the 'Makra mountain' 3,890 meters which is visible from Muzaffarabad and continues on to Shogran in the Kaghan Valley. This is a superb short trek, although you may need to camp overnight at halfway. The upper Jhelum valley makes another interestingly scenic excursion from Muzaffarabad. By following the Jhelum upstream and taking the road beneath the Domel Bridge you'll be retracing the old route to Srinagar. The valley is broad with raised terraces above the river. Rice and maize are widely grown. Some 10 kms out of Muzaffarabad the river widens to from a small lake. A landslide is resposible for all this. Located here, is a small Angler's Hut, which makes it a pleasant picnic spot. It is also possible to take boats out on the river. You can make your Bookings through the Tourist Department in Muzaffarabad.

There are ample rest houses, hotels and guesthouses in Muzaffarabad City where tourists can stay in comfort and enjoy their sarroundings. The Muzaffarabad bazaar can be explored for its walnut carvings and Kashmiri shawls. It is sometimes possible to get a good bargain!!

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