Darjeeling Hill Station Tourism & Attractions | Darjeeling Places of Interest I Darjeeling Tiger Hill - Tea Garden - Batasia Loop - Darjeeling Toy Train | Darjeeling Passenger Ropeway Ride

Darjeeling, the famous Indian Hill station, is a Himalayan city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is internationally renowned as a tourist destination, along with its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is "hill town headquarters" of Darjeeling District with a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. The town is located in the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya at an average elevation of 6,710 ft (2,050 mtr).

The name Darjeeling is originated from 'Dorjeeling' meaning the place of the Dorjee, the majestic thunderbolt of the Lamaist religion. In fact, the famous Buddhist Monastery standing at the top of the Observatory hill was known by this name. The district was the part of the dominions of the Raja of Sikkim upto the beginning of the 18th century.

The present city was originally just a cluster of villages that was administered intermittently by Nepal and Sikkim, Darjeeling grew in prominence during the mid 19th century when, because of its climate, the British set up a santorium and a military depot. Subsequently, extensive tea plantation was done in the region, and tea growers developed distinctive hybrids of black tea and created new fermenting techniques. The resultant distinctive Darjeeling tea is internationally recognised and ranks among the most popular of the black teas. In 1849, the British annexed the area and Darjeeling became a part of British India. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was opened in 1881 and the de-facto summer capital of India during the days when the Raj was governed from Calcutta.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways connects the town with the plains and has one of the few steam locomotives still in service in India. Darjeeling also has several British-style public schools, which attract students from throughout India and neighboring countries.

Because it was a popular hill station during the days of the Raj, a lovely Victorian town was built among the Himalayan foothills, the remnants of which are still visible around the Chowrasta and Darjeeling remains a popular summer and fall resort for the natives of Kolkota today. For foreign tourists, the main attractions are the cultural diversity (many Tibetan refugees moved here after Tibet was annexed by China and they co-exist with the descendants of the many Nepali and Bihari laborers brought to work in the tea plantations), the beautiful views (including the wonderful vista view of Kanchenjunga), a variety of trekking options, and the opportunity to cool down after a stint in the plains. The town is also a jumping off point for travelers heading to Sikkim.

The town, with its neighboring town of Kalimpong, was a center for the demand of the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s. The present movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland is also centered in Darjeeling town. In recent years, the town's fragile ecology has been threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanisation.

Darjeeling Places of Interest

Darjeeling, which is internationally acclaimed as one of the best hill stations in the world, is covered with pine trees, rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas and orchids. The prominent among the various places of visit in Darjeeling, following are most sought after by visiting tourists:

Tiger Hill: The Tiger Hill is located around 13 kilometers from the town and is at an altitude of 2590 meters (8482 ft.). The trip to the summit of the hill is through Ghoom, the highest railway station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. This spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over the "Kanchanjunga" and the great eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here. The hesitant rays of the early morning sun paint these peaks in pale gold.

Chowrastha: Chowrastha which means the meeting place of four roads is the heart of the town. It is a thrilling place presenting anamazing view of the Kanchenjunga mountain where the visitors can relax and take a walk. Being at the top of the ridge that Darjeeling sits on it has some of the best views in town. A walk along the Mall Road opens a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and if the time is right then rhododendrons can be seen all around.

Dhirdham Temple: Dhirdham temple is modelled on the lines of the famous Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu and was built in 1939. It is a minute's walk from the Darjeeling Railway Station.

Natural History Museum: Near to Chowrastha is the Museum of Natural History, containing a representative and comprehensive collection of the fauna of the region. The specimens are displayed in true to life attitudes of all birds' species, reptiles and animals found in different altitudes in the Eastern Himalayas. The butterfly and beetle section merit a special mention.

Batasia loop: The Batasia loop situated almost 5 km away from the town winds its way through one out of the three gigantic 360 degree loops en route to Siliguri from Darjeeling at Batasia, which is very near to Ghoom railway station. It was basically built to make it possible for the Toy Train to cut the deep ascend. Strategically located the Batasia Loop offers a panoramic view of the Kanchanjunga Range. At the center of the loop a war memorial stands which reminds us of the Gorkha martyrs, who laid their lives protecting the sovereignty of our motherland.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: Established on the 14th of August, 1958, the zoo was dedicated to the memory of Padmaja Naidu, former Governor of West Bengal on the 21st November, 1975. It is situated at an elevation of 2133.5 meters against the glorious background of the mighty Kanchenjunga. Considered as one of the best zoos in the country, it is the only centre that breeds the tibetan wolf in captivity and Siberian Tiger. Breeding programmes for the endangered red panda and the siberian tiger are also carried out at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. The zoo is open on all days except on Thursdays and other national holidays.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was set up following the successful ascent of Everest (8848 m/29,028 ft) by Tenzing Norgay's along with Edmund Hillary, in 1953. The Institute is the landmark in Darjeeling and an important center of tourist attraction. It commands a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga massif. The oldest mountaineering institute in the country carries out various mountaineering courses every year. Apart from Tenzing, legendary mountaineers like Nawang Gombu (the first man to climb Everest twice) and Lattoo Dorjee Sherpa have helped build the reputation of this pioneering institute. The institute is presently under the purview of the Minstry of Defence, Government of India and its museum is worth a visit.

Shrubbery Park: This beautiful park situated on the top of a hill is about 2-5 kms from Darjeeling Railway Station and on walk able distance from the Chowrasta. It is a beautiful park with a package of cultural programmes performed daily during the tourist season and opens during the evening time. The park has recently been extensively re-developed, and now comprises of a giant Statue of Lord Shiva, a temple, and provisions for live-interactive entertainment.

Observatory Hill: Observatory Hill, also known to the locals as the “Holy Hill” is just a few minutes walk from the Mall Road, on which the Sacred Mahakal temple rests. Mahakal is considered as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Adjacent to Mahakal temple is a Buddhist Shrine, manifesting the complete harmony that exists between Hinduism and Buddhism.

Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway:

The Darjeeling-Ranjeet Valley Passenger Cable Car is popularly known as Ropeway, it connects Darjeeling with Bijanbari, down in the little Rangeet Valley. It is about 3 km north of the town and situated at what is known as the North Point. The present ropeway has been extensively modernized and visitors can now safely travel over the clouds to witness the aerial view of the below lush green tea gardens. This thrilling ride is accompanied with the views of the beautiful tea gardens, which fall far below the cables, and it is a good experience.

Lover's Road: This road is mostly remains hidden from the eyes of the tourists and is one of the most beautiful roads especially meant for the lovers. Why do lovers go to Love Road to spend some time? Well, it's very simple, the view from this particular road is just mind-blowing with scarred houses and open nature space. It's worth a visit. To reach this Love Road, one can descend from Mall Road or reach via Singamari.

Lloyd's Botanical Garden: The Garden is at a 15 minutes walk from Chowrastha and is located just below the Eden Sanatorium (Saheed Durga Mall District Hospital) on an open slope covering an area of about 40 acres. It is the oldest Botanical Garden named as Lloyd Botanical Garden with varieties of flora and is famous for two living fossils. Over the years plants native to Sikkim Himalayas and exotica from other parts, have been introduced.

Tibetan Refugees Self-Help Centre:

"Our way may be hard and long one, but I believe that the truth and faith must ultimately prevail". -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre was started on October 1, 1959. After the dramatic escape of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, thousands of Tibetans came to take shelter in India. "It is no exaggeration, in fact, to say that without self-help there can be no rehabilitation, be it economic, social, psychological, cultural or spiritual. Therefore, a ten-member committee was formed in Darjeeling to organize a rehabilitation centre to be known as "Tibetan Refugees Self-Help Center".  The centre is today known for its handicrafts and makes excellent carpets, woolen goods, woodwork, etc, which are famous across the globe.

Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park: Rock garden as the name suggests, situated around 10 km from town, is a garden fully made out of rock. It is a marvel of present day architecture. Ganga Maya park situated 2 kilometers away from rock garden has a small lake at its helm, with boating facilities where one can enjoy the serene cool atmosphere of the place.

Happy valley tea garden: Happy Valley tea garden is located just a kilometer away from the main town and is situated along 18 Lebong Cart Road (very near to the District Magistrate's Office) and offers tourist a refreshing ambience far from the otherwise noisy town. Apart from tourism, Tea is the biggest industrial activity, offering the largest employment in the hills. The turnover of the Darjeeling tea industry is nearly 7.5 million USD, which is more than the money generated by tourism in the Darjeeling hills. Happy Valley Tea Garden located approximately 1 km from Darjeeling town offers the tourists an opportunity to experience the manufacturing process of the Darjeeling Tea.