Srinagar, Nov. 16: As the autumn sets in the Kashmir Valley, tourists from different parts of the world have arrived here to enjoy the weather.

Though the picturesque valley has always been a major fascination for domestic and international tourists throughout the year, being here during the autumn season, that begins with September and lasts till early December, is a distinct joy.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department, the season is alluring a good number of both domestic and overseas tourists.

"We are getting very good response this autumn season. A good number of tourists are coming here. This is a season of colours and one can get to see a hue of red, brown, golden. Chinar tree especially looks brilliant when it changes colour in this season. Kashmir's beauty enhances manifold during autumn, people should come to see it, " said Sarmad Hafiz, Joint Director Tourism.

Ahead of the chilly Kashmiri winters, the major attraction in autumn is the Chinar tree, added Hafiz.

The attractive Chinar trees dot the entire valley and during autumn, its dry red leaves give it a golden colour.

The leaves of Chinar change many colours before they fall. Its leaves which are deep green in summers turn slightly reddish autumn eludes and turns crimson red before it finally becomes brown and falls from the branch.

Autumn, the harbinger of winters in the valley is marked by a blaze on huge Chinar trees with brown five-lobed leaves falling to melodious cracking sounds.

"We are here on vacation. We have seen Gulmarg, Pahalgam and are now seeing Srinagar. The whole city looks golden in this season. Kashmir is heaven. My friends and family have been enjoying our stay here a lot, " said Rekha Joshi, a non-resident Indian tourist.

"We wanted to see Kashmir in a different season than the usual snowy winters and all, hence, we came now and it is beautiful. We are having a lot of fun, " added Neeta, another tourist.

Tourists in Kashmir enjoy the snowfall during winter, blossoming aroma of spring, radiant foliage in summer or the flaming beauty of autumn during the year. (ANI)