The lake is situated at 30 km from Srinagar city. It is considered to be the deepest lake (43 ft) in Kashmir.  The Mughal garden, called the Garoka, (meaning bay window) built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake.
The lake is a good place for birdwatching as it is one of the largest natural stamping grounds of Aquatic birds in Kashmir and has the sobriquet of "supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes".
Recently an ancient Hindu temple having a pyramid shaped roof with floral motifs has been unearthed. Other tourist attractions in the lake area are the Manasbal Temple, the ruins of a terraced Mughal garden and sculptured stones of some Buddhist shrines on the banks of the lake