The best LoC viewpoints in Azad Kashmir are at three villages where the Line of Control, the de facto border with Indian-administered Kashmir, runs close enough for visitors to see across it: Keran, where only the Neelum River separates the two sides; Chakothi, the old road crossing on the Jhelum; and Leepa, where army posts face each other across a farmed valley. All three sit inside checkpoint country, and access depends on the security situation on the day you travel.
This guide covers what each viewpoint actually shows you, how the checkpoints work, and what the rules are on photography, so you know what to expect before you drive up.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Keran | On the Neelum River, about 90 km from Muzaffarabad; the river itself is the LoC |
| Chakothi | On the Jhelum River, about 52 km from Muzaffarabad; the old Muzaffarabad–Srinagar crossing |
| Leepa | Reached via the Leepa Pass road from Hattian Bala; posts face each other across the valley |
| Documents | Original CNIC for every adult; foreign nationals need an NOC within 5 miles of the LoC |
| Photography | No photos of soldiers, posts, bridges or military vehicles anywhere near the line |
| Access | Can be restricted at short notice; always check locally before setting out |
Keran: the river as the border
At Keran the Neelum River is the Line of Control, and an Indian-administered village of the same name sits directly on the opposite bank. From the Pakistani side you can make out houses, terraced fields and, on a clear day, the army posts above them. It is the closest most visitors get to seeing daily life on the other side of the line.
Keran is a stop on the standard Neelum Valley route, roughly two and a half hours past Muzaffarabad on the road towards Kel, so most people see it as part of a longer day rather than a dedicated trip. Our guide to the road up the Neelum Valley covers the drive stretch by stretch.
Chakothi: the old crossing point
Chakothi sits on the Jhelum, about 52 km from Muzaffarabad along the Muzaffarabad–Chakothi road, at the point where the river crosses into Pakistani territory. It was the Pakistani terminus of the Karvan-e-Aman bus service to Srinagar, launched in 2005 as a confidence-building measure between the two countries. That service, along with cross-LoC trade at the crossing, has been suspended since August 2019, and there is no sign of it resuming.
What remains for visitors is a viewpoint over the Jhelum valley towards the built-up area on the Indian-administered side, with the old crossing infrastructure visible below. It is a quieter, less-developed stop than Keran, with basic tea stalls rather than any tourist facilities.
Leepa: watching posts face each other
Leepa Valley is reached by its own pass road from Hattian Bala, on the Muzaffarabad–Chakothi route, and the valley itself runs roughly parallel to the LoC rather than crossing it. At Moji and a few other points along the valley floor, Pakistani and Indian army posts are visible on facing slopes, close enough to give a real sense of how tightly held this stretch of the border is.
Leepa has opened up considerably since 2021, when the two armies returned to observing the 2003 ceasefire, and the valley now sees a growing number of Pakistani tourists for its walnut orchards and traditional wooden houses as much as for the border itself. Our Leepa Valley guide covers the route and what else there is to see.
Checkpoints and what you can photograph
Every road towards these three spots runs through military and police checkpoints, and the rules at each are the same:
- Stop and show ID. Every adult needs an original CNIC; a photo on a phone is not accepted.
- No photography of soldiers, posts, bridges or military vehicles, at any of the three locations. Landscape and family photos away from installations are generally fine, but follow what the soldiers on duty tell you.
- No drones anywhere near the LoC.
- Stay on the main road. Don't walk down towards the riverbank at Keran or off the road at Leepa and Chakothi.
- Foreign nationals need a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Interior to enter the belt within five miles of the LoC, which covers all three of these spots. Our NOC guide for Azad Kashmir explains how to apply.
Is it safe to visit?
All three viewpoints sit inside the zone the UK government currently advises against all travel to: within 10 miles of the Line of Control. Firing across the LoC has hit this stretch before, including shelling at Sharda and in the Leepa valley in 2019, and in May 2025 checkpoints stopped tourists entering the Neelum Valley altogether during a period of tension between India and Pakistan. Access can close with little warning.
Pakistani visitors do travel to Keran, Chakothi and Leepa in normal periods, checking the news and calling ahead rather than avoiding the area outright. Our guide to whether Azad Kashmir is safe to visit covers the current picture in full. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, since travelling against it can void your travel insurance.
Is it worth the trip?
For most Pakistani travellers already in the Neelum Valley, Keran is worth the short detour: it is on the main road, needs no special arrangements beyond the usual CNIC checks, and gives a striking sense of how close the two countries sit. Chakothi and Leepa suit people with a specific interest in the border, since neither has much else to see beyond the viewpoint.
If your time is short, or you are travelling with a foreign passport holder without an NOC, skip these three and keep to Muzaffarabad, Pir Chinasi or the lower Neelum Valley, all of which are well away from the line.
Our travel guide covers documents and planning for the rest of the north, and our Neelum Valley Escape includes Keran on its standard route.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists visit the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir?
Yes, at specific points such as Keran, Chakothi and Leepa, subject to checkpoints and the security situation on the day. Access can be restricted with little warning, so check locally before you set out.
Can I take photos at the LoC viewpoints?
Landscape and family photos are generally fine away from checkpoints, but photographing soldiers, army posts, bridges or military vehicles is not allowed anywhere near the line.
Do foreigners need special permission to visit Keran or Leepa?
Yes. Foreign nationals need a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Interior to enter the belt within five miles of the LoC, which includes Keran, Chakothi and Leepa.
Is it safe to visit the LoC in Azad Kashmir right now?
Usually yes for Pakistani visitors, with care, but the area has seen shelling and temporary closures before, most recently in May 2025. Check current news and local advice before travelling, and don't go against instructions at a checkpoint.
Can you cross into Indian-administered Kashmir from these points?
No. The cross-LoC bus service through Chakothi has been suspended since 2019, and there is no public crossing point for tourists anywhere along this stretch.
