Muzaffarabad (Urdu: مظفر آباد, Pahari, Potwari,مُظفٌر آباد) is the capital of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located inMuzaffarabad District on the banks of the Jhelumand Neelum rivers. The district is bounded byKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the west, by the Kupwaraand Baramulla districts of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in the east, and the Neelum District of Azad Kashmirin the north. According to the 1998 Census, the population of the district was 725,000, and according to a 1999 projection, the population had risen to almost 741,000. The district comprises three tehsils, and the city of Muzaffarabad serves as the cultural, legislative and financial capital of what is presently known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

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How to reach?

Muzaffarabad is situated at the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. The city is 138 kilometres from Rawalpindi and Islamabad and about 76 kilometres from Abbottabad. Muzaffarabad city is connected to Islamabad by a motorway, increasing trade between the mainland and the autonomous region. Cradled by lofty mountains, Muzaffarabad reflects a blend of various cultures and languages. The main language is a form of potohari and Pahari. The Neelum river plays a dominant role in the microclimate of Muzaffarabad which joins Jehlum River near Domail.The closest railway stations are Havelian, Rawalpindi in Pakistan andBaramulla in Indian Administered Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir (India-Administered) Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that he intended to extend the Kashmir railway to Muzaffarabad, to facilitate movement of people and goods much easier across the LoC Line of Control.

Buses and minibuses make the scenic journey regularly from Islamabad (4-5 hours).

If you’re self-driving, the route via Murree is probably the quickest. Kohalais the entry point into Azad Kashmir, where you’ll need to get through a checkpoint.

On own transport you need 40-50 minutes to reach Murree. Then 2 hours to reach Kohala Bridge and 30 minutes to reach Muzaffarabad. Approximately its 3 and half hours on you own car.

You can adopt the route Islamabad – Abbottabad – Mansehra – Gari Habibullah – Muzaffabad as well.

Hotels:

There are various guest houses, rest houses, motels and hotels at most of the tourist spots which can be booked in advance from their offices in Muzaffarabad. (Tel: 058810-32625).

• Grand motel, Bank Rd, ☎ 058810-47383. checkout: 3 PM.
• Sangam hotel, near quaid-e-azam bridge & Red Fort. can haggle a room for Rs2,500.

• Nafees Hotel.
• Agha Jee Hotel, Bank Rd, ☎ 058810-47383. checkout: 3 PM.
• Tayba Hotel, Tanga stand , muzaffarabad.

• Pearl Continental. checkin: noon; checkout: noon. Five star hotel. Rs 12,000.
• Orash Lodge Guest House, 61-B upper chattar, muzaffarabad, ☎05822-434997-8,