Tag Archives: Top Attractions in Darjeeling

Places to Visit in Darjeeling

Places to Visit in Darjeeling, There are numerous tourist places to visit in Darjeeling, a breath-taking town settled cosily on the foothills of Himalayas. The untouched beauty of this incredibly beautiful town is a respite from the bustling city life and thus, attracts visitors from all over the country.

Amongst the countless tourist attractions in Darjeeling, Tiger Hill seems to have made quite a mark among tourists, because this place is a complete package for nature as well as snow lovers. Another highlight of visiting Places to Visit in Darjeeling is its Himalayan Railway, known for its Toy Train experience which offers pleasant mountain views.

Next to the list is Darjeeling’s Ropeway, set up to give the tourists awe-inspiring views of verdant tea estates that aren’t easily accessible. Apart from the above attractions, places like Batasia Loop, Ghoom Monastery, Rock Garden, and Peace Pagoda should definitely be on your list. Clearly, when it comes to places to see in Darjeeling, the list is simply inexhaustible.


Tiger Hill

The highest peak in the Darjeeling-Kurseong range, Tiger Hill is a famous vantage point in Darjeeling. Sitting at an altitude of 8,442 ft (2,573 m), the summit offers resplendent views of Mt Kanchenjunga at sunrise.

When the sun rises, its orange light hits the snow-capped peak in a dazzling way. If you look far away, Mount Everest is also visible from here if the sky is considerably clear.

It is one of the most charming Places to Visit in Darjeeling that you should not miss visiting. For witnessing the sunrise, you need to start as early as 4 o’clock in the morning.

Tourist cars queue up near the summit and the place gets crowded as the sunrise approaches. So, it is better to reach there beforehand and secure a place in the observatory.

Tiger Hill summit is located around 11 km from the main town. It is accessible by car and is about 45 minutes drive from Darjeeling town.


Batasia Loop

Located right below Ghoom Railway Station, Batasia Loop is a train halt point on Siliguri to Darjeeling route. It is an engineering marvel of British period which was commissioned to counter a steep fall after the train crosses Ghoom station en route to Places to Visit in Darjeeling.

Witnessing the toy train move around the loop is a fantastic experience. In the center of the Batasia Loop, there is a Gurkha Soldiers war memorial surrounded by a garden. If you are not up for the toy train ride, it is easily reachable by a car from Darjeeling town.


Peace Pagoda

Nestled on the Jalapahar Hill, the Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda stand as a symbol of world peace and harmony. Both the structures are located in the same complex. The temple is also known as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple.

A Japanese Buddhist monk, Nichidatsu Fujii, laid the foundation stone of the pagoda in 1972. Inside the pagoda, there are four images of Lord Buddha depicting the four avatars.

Visitors are given drums and sticks to join rhythmic drum beating during prayer time. It is absolutely otherworldly experience when you can feel divine vibes all around the place.

From the center of the town, it takes roughly 15 minutes to reach there by car. It remains open from 4:30 am to 7 pm for tourists.


Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

Zoological gardens are normally off the itinerary for me. However, Zoological Garden in Darjeeling is really worth a visit.

Officially known as Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, it was established in 1954 for the conservation of endangered high-altitude animals. In 1975, the park was renamed in the memory of late Padmaja Naidu, former governor of West Bengal.

A well-kept zoological park, it houses numerous Himalayan animal species including red panda, snow leopard and Himalayan wolf.

So, if you have not sighted these rare species in the wild, you can see them here. Red pandas and snow leopards are the star attractions for visitors.

The park also runs captive breeding initiatives for many such animal species of the Eastern Himalayan region. It is definitely one of the amazing Places to Visit in Darjeeling to visit for the wildlife admirers.


Happy Valley Tea Estate

Happy Valley Tea Estate is the closest tea garden to Darjeeling town, situated about 3 km from Chowk Bazar. It was established as Wilson Tea Estate in 1854 by a Britisher. Later in 1903, a Bengali gentleman, Tarapada Banerjee took over the tea estate.

It was renamed as Happy Valley Tea Estate in 1929 after being merged with a neighbouring tea garden. Perched at an altitude of 6,900 ft (2,100 m), it is one of the highest tea gardens in the world.

A visit to this tea estate gives opportunities to learn about the entire process of tea processing from leaves plucking to drying. For tea connoisseurs, it is one of the Places to Visit in Darjeeling to visit. As you take a tour of this garden, the special tea aroma fills the senses.

It is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm, 5 days a week (Tuesday to Saturday). During winters, it is usually closed for visitors when plucking and processing are not taking place.


Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

A famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is the oldest of the three Mountain Railways of India. The other two are Nilgiri Mountain Railways in Tamil Nadu and Kalka Shimla Railway in Himachal Pradesh.

It was constructed between 1879 and 1881 to connect the Darjeeling Hills with the plains. DHR runs on a 2-feet gauge track and is fondly known as the Toy Train.

From New Jalpaiguri to Places to Visit in Darjeeling, the 88 km long track passes through fantastic loops and zigzag reverses. It is approximately a 7 hour train journey through the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region.

They also offer a 2-hour Joy ride between Darjeeling and Ghum, India’s highest railway station at 7,407 ft. The train halts at Ghum for about 30 minutes when you can take an amble through the DHR museum.


Best Time To Visit

Best Time To Visit I would recommend the Summer season, from March to May, for visiting Places to Visit in Darjeeling. The weather stays pleasantly cool and skies are clear during these months. So, you can see the imposing peaks of the Himalayas from various viewpoints.

With the onset of monsoon in June, it starts to rain heavily. Incessant rains sometimes cause landslides in the region. Avoid traveling to Darjeeling in the rainy season from June to September.

The next best season is right after monsoon from October to November. Winter (December to February) is harsh and the temperature drops significantly, making it freezing cold. Owing to mist and fog, you might not be able to see the Himalayan mountain peaks.


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Top 10 Things to Do Darjeeling

Top 10 Things to Do Darjeeling Located in West Bengal’s Indian state, Darjeeling is renowned for their tea industry. The city lies in the midst of the lower Himalayas also known as the Mahabharat Range. The town was established by the British in the mid-19th century, and the town soon became known for its large tea estates supplying the country’s best Tea. The city was till the time ruled by the Sikkim kingdom It was taken from the Gorkhas, and later from the British. The city is situated at an average elevation of 2050 metres and falls under the geographic region of the eastern Himalayan Zoo. The town has a rich cultural history and natural resources, and is a popular tourist spot due to its nice climate throughout the year. Below is a list of the best places in Darjeeling that one can visit.


Stay at a Tea Garden

Sprawling Tea Gardens are the Darjeeling’s main attraction, as this place is renowned for its tea varieties and popular around the world. The green pruned bushes that should be in to go to Darjeeling ‘s locations. This is the best weekend destination to stay and relax with aroma of tea leaves in the greenery. You’ll see the women working in their traditional tea garden and colorful dresses with huge basket at their back.


Drive up to Tiger Hill

This is to Darjeeling‘s highest point. This point is renowned for the sparkling sunrise view of the Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalayan range which looks huge and fabulous. You can get lucky if the weather is clear, and you can see Mount Everest. This beautiful place is only 11 kilometres from Darjeeling and it would take 40 minutes to get here by car. This is Darjeeling ‘s loveliest and best weekend destination. You can go from trekking to campaigning for various things to do in Darjeeling.


Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

HMI is a destination by itself and is like mountain pilgrimage. It was established to Tenzing Norgay ‘s honour. In 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay ascended the Everest. This museum is well developed and well equipped including displays of mountaineering and other artefacts. It also has boarding school for the student climber, houses for trainers, restaurants , shops and more. This beautiful place is located on Jawahar Road, and can be accessed from Mall Road. Trekking learners and mountaineering students are best off for this weekend getaway.


All aboard the Joy Ride ‘Toy Train’

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Toy Train, is a 2-foot narrow gauge railway based on zig-zag and loop line technology running between Siliguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal Indian state. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first and most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway, and one of the top Darjeeling Tourist Places.

The narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, built between 1879 & 1881, was designed as an extension of the North Bengal State Railway. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs to a height of more than 7,000 feet and is one of the oldest and highest railway lines in the world. The Toy Train starts its journey from Siliguri, after covering a distance of 78 km and crossing Darjeeling 13 stations on its way, including Ghoom, the highest station in India.


Discover roots of Tibet

This centre was established on 2 October 1959 for the healing of Tibetans who in the havoc period pursued Dalai Lama and runaway out of their motherland. To continue to live their self-help beliefs accepted. This place is on the Hilltop, where you can walk along the Lebong Cart Road. Here you will find Tibetans who craft exquisite handmade items like Shawls, Woolen carpets, leather goods, wooden carvings and much more. You’ll find a place in the middle from where you can buy these products at the best price. If you’re in Darjeeling you have to visit destination for sure this weekend.


A thrilling ride on Darjeeling Ropeway

Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway is a passenger ropeway located in Darjeeling town of West Bengal, at a distance of 4 km from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Also known as Darjeeling Ropeway, it is one of the longest Passenger Ropeways in Asia, and also India’s first Passenger Ropeway.

In 1968 the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation started Darjeeling Ropeway. Initially it was set up to cater for the tea gardens in the valleys below which otherwise had no easy access. Starting from a single cable car, it has now been upgraded to 16 cable cars with a capacity of six people each. It was closed in 2003 after the death of four tourists when the cable broke that caused two cars to fall down the hill. It was later re-opened in 2012 with many safety measures.

Darjeeling Ropeway operates between the North Point in the town of Darjeeling and Singla on the banks of the Ramman River.


Sit on Darjeeling Chowrasta

You can enjoy the beauty of The Mall just like the Sunset. Darjeeling’s Mall or Chowrasta is the downtown area in Darjeeling. People love lounging here and having sunbath here. You ‘d love to sit here and enjoy the time with family and friends while watching the mountain view and feeling the cool zephyr. Pine tree and the magnificent view of the Mountain will surely hypnotise you with its beauty And you’ll find shops , restaurants and local food joints on the other side, offering different things. Take the bench, and relax with some local street food. This place is the best gateway to the weekend for people wanting to enjoy their weekends.


Visit the Peace Pagoda

Darjeeling Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa located on the slopes of Jalapahar Hill in Darjeeling, at a distance of 2.5 km from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It is one of more than 70 pagodas built by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan Myohoji organisation around the world, and among Darjeeling’s most popular attractions.

Nichidatsu Fuj laid the foundation stone for the pagoda in 1972, A Japanese Buddhist monk and member of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist Order. The pagoda, which opened in 1992, was designed by M. Ohka … Ohka. Being Darjeeling’s tallest structure with a height of 28.5 metres, it is open to people of all faith and purposefully made to propagate peace and prosperity in the world.

Peace Pagoda houses four bright, gold-polished Buddha statues. The temple walls also have eight sandstone carvings that depict various storeys from the various stages of Gautama Buddha’s life.


Fresh air of mountains at the Batasia Loop

Batasia loop is a loop or twist of a slender railway gauge track where Ghoom’s Toy train offers a quick spiky tumble. Here you can see beautiful manicured gardens, waterfalls and streams and see large ranges of Darjeeling Mountains and landscapes, as well as other Eastern Himalayan peaks. This place is just 5 kilometres from Darjeeling, near the Ghoom which makes it Most popular destination for the weekend. This place is also known as Gorkha War Memorial, where you can get a 360 degree view of Darjeeling in a toy train. Nearby is the nearby craft market which is a must-visit spot.


River Rafting in the Teesta River

Darjeeling is one of India’s most frequented and loved Hill stations. All kinds of visitors can be found here. One of the best places for adventurous tourists is Teesta River for rafting as this river flowing in the gleaming mountain surroundings has rugged white water in its course. This is one of Darjeeling’s most popular tourist spots. Rafting in the White Water River at Teesta It’s one of those exciting moments you can never miss. This is the perfect vacation spot for adventure lovers on the weekend.



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