Gulmarg now home to the world’s highest revolving restaurant at 14,000 feet

Dining above the clouds: Gulmarg unveils the world’s highest revolving restaurant at nearly 14,000 feet on Apharwat Peak.

Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir has added another global first to its growing list of records. The hill station is now officially home to the world’s highest revolving restaurant, located atop Apharwat Peak at nearly 14,000 feet above sea level. The new attraction is set to redefine high-altitude dining in India, while strengthening Gulmarg’s position as a premium winter tourism destination.

The revolving restaurant was inaugurated on December 13, 2025, by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as part of a wider push to upgrade tourism infrastructure in the region. Designed to operate throughout the year, the venue offers 360-degree panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayas, creating a dining experience quite literally above the clouds.

A Dining Experience in the Himalayas

The warm, cosy restaurant rotates slowly, allowing diners uninterrupted views of Gulmarg’s dramatic alpine landscape. Visitors can enjoy traditional Kashmiri favourites, such as aromatic Kahwa and piping-hot local delicacies, making the experience as much about flavour as it is about scenery. Beyond leisure dining, the space also doubles as a revolving conference and meeting hall, adding versatility to the landmark structure.

While revolving restaurants exist in several global cities, few operate at such extreme altitudes, making Gulmarg’s newest attraction a rare feat in hospitality and engineering.

Major Boost to Tourism Infrastructure

Alongside the revolving restaurant, the Chief Minister also inaugurated Asia’s longest ski drag lift at Kongdori. Stretching approximately 726–750 metres and constructed in a record five months at a cost of Rs 3.65 crore, the new lift significantly enhances Gulmarg’s skiing infrastructure.

“This landmark addition will strengthen Gulmarg’s standing on the international winter sports map,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.

Chief Minister today inaugurated Asia’s longest ski drag lift at Kongdori, Gulmarg. This landmark addition will significantly enhance skiing infrastructure and further strengthen Gulmarg’s standing on the international winter sports map. Later, the Chief Minister also… pic.twitter.com/LWnzsqU1pf

— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) December 13, 2025

Additional projects launched during the event include a multi-purpose hall and the Integrated Skiing Training and Adventure Tourism Centre, aimed at promoting structured winter sports education and adventure tourism in the region.

Creating Year-Round Tourism Opportunities

Speaking at the inauguration, Omar Abdullah described Gulmarg as the “crown jewel” of Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism landscape. He stressed that sustained investment in modern infrastructure is key to unlocking its full potential.

“These initiatives are not just infrastructure additions but strategic investments that will create year-round tourism opportunities, generate employment for local youth, and elevate Gulmarg to international standards,” he told PTI.

Gulmarg’s Growing List of Global Records

With the addition of the world’s highest revolving restaurant, Gulmarg further strengthens its reputation as a record-breaking destination. The hill station already boasts the world’s highest gondola and ski point, Asia’s longest ropeway, and the world’s largest igloo café—making it a magnet for winter sports enthusiasts and luxury travellers alike.

Tourism Outlook Amid Challenges

The latest developments come at a time when tourist arrivals in Kashmir have seen a temporary dip following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Authorities remain hopeful that Gulmarg’s unmatched natural beauty, combined with upgraded global-standard facilities, will help revive confidence among both domestic and international travellers.

With dining at 14,000 feet and world-class skiing infrastructure, Gulmarg is once again making a strong case for itself as one of India’s most extraordinary mountain destinations.