Darjeeling City Tour Guide - West Bengal

For the sheer splendor of mountains, unsullied and pristine, nothing comes close to the celebrated hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal. As you drive up the curvaceous roads or board the famous toy train, you will be fascinated by the resplendence of nature. From the damp plains, your tired lungs get filled with fresh mountain air. Gurgling streams emerge from the crack in the rocks and in springtime, the ranges are decorated with rhododendrons. The ethnic population is gracious and the influence of Buddhism is strong. Past the Batasia loop, the Ghoom Buddhist monastery, and the lush tea gardens, lies the quaint town peeping at you from behind high pines. Darjeeling rose into eminence during the British Raj as a rest and recreation centre. Till the 19th century, Darjeeling (originally Dorje Ling, or place of the thunderbolt) was under Sikkim. In 1817, Sikkim passed the rights to use it as a health clinic to the British in return for their help in settling a rather devastating dispute between Sikkim and Nepal. The mark of the colonial legacy can be seen in its tea estates, gardens, hotels and lifestyle.

Darjeeling Facts:

• Area 10.57 sq. km
• Population 73,062
• Altitude 2,134 m above sea level
• Languages Bengali, Nepali, Hindi, and English
• Best time to visit March-May and September-November
• STD Code 0354

Tourist Attractions in Darjeeling

Darjeeling offers all that is loved in nature, the green depth of the forest , the hush of the hills and the majesty of the mountains. Sunrise at Tiger Hill is a delight for the soul. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is a delight for trekkers. The Tibetan Self-Help Centre offers a range of carpets for sale in their outlet, woven by refugees. Take a look, if not a pick. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and amazing race-course in Lebong nestled high in the mountains. Other attractions include the Darjeeling Zoo and Botanical Gardens In addition, Darjeeling is renowned worldwide for its flavoured tea. The tea gardens dotting the slopes are proof of this mammoth industry.

Tourist Attractions around Darjeeling

Once you are done sightseeing inside Darjeeling town, do proceed to see the sites nearby. The trip itself is a thrilling experience of being on roads beside cloud-covered valley. Mirik, land of oranges, Kalimpong, renowned for its orchids and curio shops, Kurseong offering a panoramic view of the Gangetic delta Eagle’s Crag are worth a visit. Some other close by places that can be visited include Takdah, Sandakphu, and Siliguri.