Chinari is a riverside town on the Jhelum Valley road in Azad Kashmir, about 49 km from Muzaffarabad on the bank of the Jhelum river, reached by the paved Muzaffarabad–Chakothi highway. It is the main stop between Garhi Dupatta and Chakothi, with a working bazaar, basic accommodation and, for those with time to spare, a side trip to a waterfall in the hills above the town.
This guide covers Chinari itself, the waterfall trip, where to stay and eat, and how it fits into a day on the Jhelum Valley road.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| District | Jhelum Valley, Azad Kashmir |
| From Muzaffarabad | About 49 km on the paved Chakothi road |
| On the river | Sits on the bank of the Jhelum |
| Waterfall side trip | About an hour each way by local jeep on a dirt track |
| Accommodation | A government rest house and a small number of private hotels |
| Best for | A riverside stop and lunch break, or a base for the waterfall trip |
Where Chinari sits on the Jhelum Valley road
Chinari lies on the main road that follows the Jhelum river east from Muzaffarabad towards Chakothi and the Line of Control, about 49 km out and roughly an hour's drive from the city. The road is paved the whole way, and Chinari is the most developed stop between Garhi Dupatta, closer to Muzaffarabad, and Chakothi at the far end. Our fuller route guide to the Jhelum Valley from Muzaffarabad to Chakothi covers the whole drive stage by stage.
The waterfall above Chinari
The reason to give Chinari more than a passing stop is the waterfall in the hills above it, locally known as Cham or Chamb waterfall and said to be among the tallest in Azad Kashmir. It is not reached directly by road: from Chinari, visitors switch to a local jeep or Datsun pickup for a dirt track that climbs into the hills, a run of around an hour each way that is not suitable for an ordinary car, particularly after rain.
Arrange the jeep in Chinari itself rather than trying to drive the track yourself, and agree the return time and price before you set off, since it is not a metered service. Because this is a border-adjacent area with a military presence nearby, expect the odd checkpoint and follow whatever soldiers on duty ask of you.
Rest houses and where to stay
Accommodation in Chinari is modest: a government rest house with basic facilities, and a small number of private hotels catering to travellers on their way further into the Jhelum Valley or on to Leepa. None of it is resort-standard, so treat Chinari as a practical overnight stop rather than a destination hotel in itself. Booking or arriving early matters on weekends and around Eid, when the limited rooms fill quickly.
Riverside meals
Chinari's other draw for day-trippers is simply the river. The town has small restaurants and dhabas along the Jhelum, serving straightforward Pakistani food, and a stop here for tea or a meal with the river in view is a natural break on the drive to or from Chakothi. Don't expect an extensive menu or fast service; this is a working valley town, not a tourist strip, and that is part of its appeal.
Fitting Chinari into a day out
A typical use of Chinari on a Jhelum Valley day:
- Leave Muzaffarabad in the morning, stopping briefly at Garhi Dupatta on the way.
- Reach Chinari for a proper break, lunch or tea by the river.
- If you have time, arrange a jeep to the waterfall, allowing two to three hours for the round trip with time at the falls.
- Continue to Chakothi, or turn back towards Muzaffarabad, depending on how the day is going.
Without the waterfall, Chinari is a short stop of half an hour or so. With it, plan on the better part of a day from Muzaffarabad and back.
Is Chinari worth stopping for?
As a lunch or tea break on the road to Chakothi, yes, and it costs you almost nothing in time. The waterfall trip is worth doing if you have a spare morning or afternoon and don't mind an hour each way on a rough jeep track; if your schedule is tight or anyone in the group struggles with rough roads, skip it and continue straight through. Chinari is not a place to build a whole trip around, but it earns its stop on the way to Chakothi or Leepa Valley.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Chinari from Muzaffarabad?
About 49 km, roughly an hour's drive on the paved Muzaffarabad–Chakothi road.
What is the waterfall near Chinari called?
It is known locally as Cham or Chamb waterfall, reached by a dirt track from Chinari that takes about an hour each way by local jeep.
Can I drive my own car to the waterfall?
Not for the final stretch. The track from Chinari to the waterfall is unpaved and steep, and local jeeps or Datsun pickups are the usual way up rather than an ordinary car.
Where can I stay in Chinari?
A government rest house and a handful of private hotels, both fairly basic. Book ahead on weekends and during Eid holidays.
Is Chinari worth visiting without the waterfall?
As a riverside stop for food or tea on the way to Chakothi or Leepa Valley, yes. Without the waterfall trip, it is a short stop rather than a destination in itself.
Is the Jhelum Valley road safe to travel right now?
Pakistani travellers use this road regularly. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all but essential travel to most of Azad Kashmir and against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, a zone that reaches close to this stretch of the valley as it nears Chakothi. Check current local advice before continuing past Chinari, and if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's guidance too, since travelling against it can affect your insurance.
