Darjeeling, the center of India's most celebrated tea gardens, is the most popular hill destination of West Bengal, offering the most picturesque views among all Indian hill resorts. Popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations", Darjeeling is located 7000ft above sea level. Dazzling Darjeeling offers spectacular views across the snowy peak of Kanchenjunga and other mountains down to the swollen rivers in the valley. It is a fascinating place, where the tourists can visit the Buddhist monasteries, roam around tea plantations, go for a ride on the chairlift, enjoy shopping in the rich markets or go trekking to high altitudes.
Area: 3,149 sq km
Population: 1,299.92 (approx)
Places to see:
- Observatory Hill: You can reach here by strolling up the Mall, past the quaint Tibetan market. It is a major tourist spot of Darjeeling, not only for its religious importance but also for the picturesque views the place offers. The view of the magnificent Mt. Kanchenjunga and the entire landscape below is a site worth seeing.
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: This institute was established after the conquest of the Everest in 1954 by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Situated on the Jawahar Parvat, the institute is famous for its unique collection of mountaineering equipment and findings. The institute has an interesting Everest Museum and also offers some mountaineering and adventure courses.
- Ghoom Monastery: No visit to Darjeeling is complete without a visit to Ghoom, which is six kilometres away from the main town. The hillock is dominated by the famous Yiga Choeling Monastery and a 4.5-metre tall image of the Maitreya Buddha. Ghoom is at an altitude of about 2,407 metres, and offers a spectacular view of the Valley.
- Tiger Hill: A strategic point to watch the spectacular sunrise is Tiger Hill, located at an altitude of 2,590 metres above sea level. It offers a magnificent view of the rising sun over the snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga and other great Eastern Himalayan peaks. You can also witness some of the high Himalayan peaks from here on a clear day.
Other important destinations are Senchal Lake, Bhutia Busty Monastery, Dhirdham Temple, Natural History Museum, Ropeway, Botanical gardens and Zoological Park are some other attractions.
How to reach:
- By Air: There are flights from Calcutta to Bagdogra which is 90 kilometers from south.
- By Rail: The nearest railhead is Siliguri. The Toy train runs from New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri is quite an attractive feature.
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