33 Places to Visit in Darjeeling

33 Places to Visit in DARJEELING

OTHER HILL STATIONS WEST BENGAL

HILL STATIONS IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD

DARJEELING is a spectacular Hill Station in the State of West Bengal in India. This town is situated at an altitude of around 6,700 Feet above sea level. This place was developed as a Hill Station during British Period exclusively for British residents to get rid of heat during summer. During British Era, this town served as a British Outpost in the Himalayas, Trade Route to Tibet via Sikkim and Entrance to Nepal & Bhutan. It is a Holy destination for Hindus as well as Buddhist. From this Hill Station, we get the astonishing views of Kanchenjunga Mountain and Kanchenjunga Peak. 

There are plenty of attractive tourist places in and around this stunning and beautiful town. It is like a Heaven, for Nature lovers. Best place for trekking lovers is the Darjeeling hills as they get the chance to view and experience the atmosphere of thick Forest, Mountains and Wildlife. Languages spoken here are Nepali, Bengali, Hindi and English. 

You can experience diversified culture and religion like Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism. Tourism and Tea Industry are the main two important contributors to Darjeeling's Economy. Since 1860, the tourism industry is enhancing every year because of the spectacular locations and the hospitality of the local people. Being famous for its Tea cultivation, The Darjeeling is a Paradise and Heaven for Tea enthusiast as they get chance to taste very distinctive aroma and flavors of tea. There are more than 144 tea gardens in this town. Black Tea, Oolong Tea, Green Tea and White Tea are the types of tea available here. Blended Tea, Flavored Tea, Scented Tea and Seasonal Blends are also available to fulfill our tea thirst. 

Best time to visit is from March to May and September to November. Land slides happen frequently during Monsoons. So kindly avoid during that time since roads will be blocked to reach other cities with disturbed air and land services. ''Toy Train'' Ride in a two foot narrow gauge track is one of the attractions here. Never miss the "Jeep Safari" in Singalila National Park. There are so many tourist Hotels, Lodges and Guest Houses available in various price tags. 

What is famous here to purchase? 

Options are to shop for Tea of more than 50 varieties, Tibetan Artifacts, Woolen Garments, Tibetan Carpets, Bags, Leather Goods, Photographs related to Mountain, Books and Buddhist Artifacts. Best places to do shopping are from Teesta Bazaar, Nehru Road, Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center, Ghoom Monastery Market, Pashupati Nagar Market, Batasia Loop Market, Oxford Book Store, Rink Mall, Ava Art Gallery and Chowk Bazaar. Few famous Darjeeling dishes are Momos, Thukpa Soup Noodle, Alu Dum, Sael Roti, Niguru Vegetable Food, Churpee Milk Snack, Green Leaves Gundruk, Tongba local Beer, Nepali Thali, Dalle Pickle, Kakra Pickle, Naga Cuisine, Milk Based Shaphalay Snack, Sinki Veg Dish, Phagshapa and Fish Curry. 

How to Reach Darjeeling? 

The Bagadogra Airport located in Siliguri is the nearest airport to reach this Hill Station. It is situated at the distance of around 95 kilometers. Flights are available from Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. Taxis are available from Siliguri Airport to reach Darjeeling at ease. This Hill Station is well connected by road with nearer states, towns and cities. Also, one can reach the desired vacation place by Himalayan Railway, the famous Narrow Gauge Rail Service. 

Best 33 Tourists Delights in Darjeeling: 

33 Incredible places to visit in Darjeeling are  Himalayan Railway Museum, Padmaja Naidu  Temple, Himalayan Zoo, Mirik, Peace Pagoda, Tiger Hill, Samsing, Bhutia Tibet Museum, Army Statue, Ghoom Railway Museum, Batasia Loop, Ghum Monastery, Rock Garden, Tensing Rock HMI, Japanese Buddhist, Bengal Natural History Museum, Lloyd Botanical Garden, Ava Art Gallery, Dali Monastery, Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway, Buddhist Monastery, Mahakal Mandir, Tiger Hill Sunrise Observatory, Shrubbery Nightingale Park, Clock Tower, Mal Tourists' Show Piece, Model Tea Factory, Kitam Bird Sanctuary, St Andrews Church, Ghum Museum, Modern Art Museum, Green Park and Green Lung Park.

HIMALAYAN RAILWAY MUSEUM is located in Ghum Railway Station or Ghoom Railway Station Premises. It is located above the station. This railway station is situated around 7,400 Feet above the sea level. Oldest Toy Train Engine ''Baby Sivok'' is kept for display here in this museum. In the year 1881, this engine was started to run through mountains. Photographs of this Toy Train and Old Artifacts are seen in this museum. 

THE DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY is also known as DHR or ''TOY TRAIN'' is the first Hill Passenger Railway. This train runs in a 2 Feet Narrow Gauge line in a Zig Zag manner. This was declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 2nd December 1999. 

MIRIK is one of the popular tourist destinations for its Natural Beauty and Ultimate Climate. Main attraction in Mirik is ''Sumendu Lake'' that is surrounded by  a beautiful Garden referred as ''Savitri Pushpaudyan''. Entertainments like Horse Riding and Boating are available in this holiday spot. Mirik is located at 4,905 Feet above the sea level. 80 Feet long Foot over Bridge is there over the Sumendu Lake. Hindu Goddess temple ''DEBISTHAN'' is situated on the hillock near the lake. 

Panoramic view of the near by tea gardens can be seen from ''TINGING VIEW POINT''. Tea Gardens namely Thurbo, Soureni, Gopaldhara, Singbulli, Okayti and Phuguri are situated around the Sumendu Lake. 

At ''SUNRISE POINT'' visitors can get the view of sun rise along with its reflection on Mount Kanchenjunga. 

PADMAJA NAIDU HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK attracts more than 3,00,000 visitors yearly. This Zoo is located at an altitude of 7,000 Feet and spread across approximately 67 Acres of land. This is the High Altitude Zoo in India. This Zoo was opened for public in the year 1958. Species like Snow Leopards, Red Pandas, Himalayan Tahr, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Monal, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Himalayan Salamander, Blood Pheasant and Satyr tragopan are enjoying the nature of this Hill Town. 

TIGER HILL is situated at an altitude of 2,590 Meters. It is very famous for its astonishing sight of Sunrise. From Tiger Hill, we can get an awesome view of both, Mount Everest and Kangchenjunga. The peaks of Kangchenjunga gets illuminated at lower elevations before the Sun is seen. 

PEACE PAGODA is located on the slopes of Jalapahar Hills. The main aim is to unite all people irrespective of their religion or races to create peace. This was built with the guidance from a Buddhist Monk from Japan ''Nichidatsu Fujii''. Peace Pagoda foundation stone was laid by Nichidatsu Fujii on 3rd November 1972. This centre for World Peace was inaugurated on 1st November 1992. This Pagoda stands 94 Feet tall with 75 Feet diameter. 

HIMALAYAN TIBET MUSEUM which is located on the Gandhi Road, was inaugurated on 2nd July 2015. Museum displays mainly the Tibetan Community along with other communities artifacts. Himalayan Tibet Museum is focuses on History and Culture of Tibetans rather than Tibetans Religious background. Consists of priceless artifacts, this museum also has details about its first King Nyatri Tsenpo who was ruling during 127 BC. The other attractions are Replica of Potala Palace and Seats of Dalai Lama. Portraits of Sarat Chandra Das, Gendum Chopel and Geroge Nicolas De Roerich are also kept for display. 

OLD GHOOM MONASTERY or OLD GHUM MONASTERY is a religious Buddhist Place. Ghum Monastery follows the ''Gelug'' School of Tibetan Buddhism. This Buddhist divine place is well known for its 15 Feet High Statue of the ''Maitreya Buddha''. 

THE ROCK GARDEN or BARBOTEY ROCK Garden is located around 10 Kilometers from the main town. Rock Garden spreads across 10 Kilometers with greeneries. This garden is one of the tourist attractions in this town. There is a natural Waterfall and a Small Lake. Visitors gets an excellent view of a hill stream cascading over rocks to slope to flower gardens. There are several seats available to enjoy the natural scenarios in a relaxed manner. There are few shops found inside the garden to refresh yourselves. 

GANGA MAYA PARK is an amazing tourist spot which is situated at 3 Kilometers distance from the Rock Garden. This park is surrounded by Hills on all sides along with natural water stream flowing through it. Main attractions of Ganga Maya Park are Mountain Stream, Bunches of Flower Varieties, Shrubs, Trees, Bridges, Circular Lake with Paddle Boats, and Waterfall. For entertainment, boating facility is available near the small lake. Gorkha Folk Dances happens at specific timings to entertain visitors to this Ganga Maya Park. 

TENZING ROCK and GOMBU ROCK are natural rocks. ''Tenzing Norgay'' is the man who climbed the Mount Everest in the year 1953, for the first time along with Edmund Hillary. Hence, the Tenzing Rock was named after Tenzing Norgay. Tenzing's nephew ''Nawang Gombu'' claimed Mount Everest twice and hence the second rock was named after him as Gombu Rock. Both these rocks are used by Himalayan Mountaineering Institute for rock climbing. Indian Army organizes Rock Climbing Competition every year at Tenzing Rock. Both natural rocks are located on Lebong Card Road facing each other. There is a beautiful Japanese Temple in this Hill town. 

Built in the year 1972, a traditional two storied Japanese Style temple, is located just 10 minutes from the town. This temple is known as ''NIPPONZAN MYOHOJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE''. Picture of the founder of this Japanese Temple, ''Fujii Guruji'' can be seen the moment we enter this temple. Buddha Statue inside implies its religious importance about Buddhism. There is a prayer hall on the first floor of this temple which can be reached through the beautifully structured wooden stairs. 

OBSERVATORY HILL is situated on the Hill Top to observe Mountain's Panoramic view. At the summit, there is a Hindu Temple called MAHAKAL TEMPLE. It takes just 15 minutes to reach the uphill. Not only Hindus but also Buddhists are visiting Mahakal Temple in large numbers. 

LLOYD BOTANICAL GARDENS is named after the owner of ''Lloyd's Bank'' during British Rule ''William Lloyd''. Lloyd Botanical Garden was established in the year 1878 with several Himalayan Plantations. Large collections of Himalayan Plantation, Rhododendrons, Fern, Conifer Trees, Alpine, Cactus, orchids, etc. More than 150 species of trees are found inside along with 50 varieties of orchids. Also found in this botanical garden are the plantations like Hawthorn, Blackberry, Birch, Chestnut, Plumps, Cherries, Weeping Willows, Magnolia Grandiflora, Jurriferus Bermudiana, Wattle and Silver Oak. These plantations are brought from several parts of the world like Europe, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.


AVA ART GALLERY was established by Late Ava Devi in the year 1965 to portray Embroidery Art. There are more than 60 portraits of art work created by Ava Devi which includes water, oil and thread paintings. Located on the Hill Cart Road, Ava Art Gallery is open for public from 8.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and from 1.00 PM to 5.00 PM. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the gallery. 

THE DARJEELING RANGEET VALLEY ROPEWAY is an tourist attraction spot. Ropeway lies between North Point and Singla, the Ramman River Bank. While travelling in this rope way, we can see Green Forests, High Mountains, Waterfalls, Rivers, Green Valleys and Tea Gardens. It would take around 2 hours to cover the distance of about 8 Kilometers. The elevation of the Rangeet Valley Ropeway is about 7,000 Feet from the sea level. There are few restaurants near this Rangeet Valley. 

CLOCK TOWER is located in Municipality Building. Every Hour we can hear a lovely musical tune in this clock. 

ST ANDREW'S CHURCH, situated on the Mall Road, was built in the year 1843. 

Established in the year 1909 - GYMKHANA CLUB has the facilities like Library, Badminton Courts, Card Room and many more to entertain ourselves. 

BENGAL NATURAL MUSEUM is very near to Chowrasta Mall. This Museum is located in the Botanical Garden. Museum has a huge collection and specimens of Birds with nests and eggs, Reptiles, Fishes, Mammals, Insects and much more. Museum consists of two sections at basement and ground level. Specimens like Himalayan Brown Wood Owls, Northern Spotted Owlet, Northern Brown Fish Owl, Pheasants, Fly Catchers and  Woodpeckers can be seen on the tree branches. There are more than 820 specimens of Birds and 110 specimens of eggs are seen in this History Museum. Other attractions are around 35 specimens and pictures of Snakes and around 57 portraits of Fishes. Also seen are the displays of Tibetan Fox, Tibetan Lynx, Toddy Cad, Heads of Wild Buffaloes, Panthers, Leopards and Elephant's Ivory. We get the chance to know about 600 plus species of Butterflies and Moths along with 1100 plus types of other insects. Small library is located inside this museum where very rare and important books are available to read. 

Interesting Facts about Darjeeling: 

Name Darjeeling is derived from Tibetan words ''Dorje & Ling''. In Tibetan Language ''Dorje'' means Thunder Bolt and ''Ling'' means the place where thunder bolt is there. In 1864, this place was declared as the Summer Capital for Bengal Presidency. During British Era, this town was serving as a Health Resort and Sanatorium for British Soldiers. Tea Cultivation was started here in the year 1841. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Largest Ropeway in Asia, ''The Darjeeling - Rangit Valley'' is located here. One may have to pass through the clouds during this Rope Way Ride. There are several British Style Schools that attracts thousands of students from all parts of India. Sex Ratio here is more than the National average. Vivien Leigh, Anna Kashfi, Sylvia Coleridge, Hazel Adair, Mahima Chaudhary, Sally Nesbitt, Erick Avari and Jamling Tenzing Norgay are the few superstars who where born in this town. Indian Post & Telegraphs Department are happy to issue Stamp on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Singalila Ridge which is situated around 3636 Meters above the sea level, lies between India and Nepal borders. 

OTHER HILL STATIONS WEST BENGAL

HILL STATIONS IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD