Top 18 Best Places To Visit in Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the north of the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling District shares borders with countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Darjeeling is surrounded by various Buddhist monasteries and the alluring peaks of the Himalayas. Darjeeling valleys are very attractive and it is famous all over the world as a hill station.

Siliguri is the”Gateway of Northeast India”.Its join of the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts in the Indian state of West Bengal. Darjeeling is not only famous all over the world because of tea, but also because of its beauty, this city attracts tourists to itself. In this article, we are going to read about the major tourist places and places to visit in Darjeeling. Below we are going to discuss Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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1.Darjeeling Himalayan Railway  And Toy Train:

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s most famous attraction is the “Toy Train”.Toy Train has a short-line railway system running between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. It was constructed between 1879 and 1881 and has a total length of 78 kilometers. Its elevation level range is 100 meters from New Jalpaiguri to 2,200 meters (7,218 ft) in Darjeeling.

The Toy Train starts its journey from Siliguri to Darjeeling after covering a distance of 78 km and crossing 13 stations on its way, including Ghoom, Ghoom is the highest station in India. Now The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the World Heritage by UNESCO.

Visitors can choose a steam engine train or diesel engine. The steam engine train has a traditional experience but It is costlier than the diesel engine train rides. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the most popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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2.Tiger Hill:

Darjeeling Tiger Hill is situated at an altitude of 2590 meters and 13 kilometers from Darjeeling. Tiger Hill is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Sunset Point. A beautiful view of Kanchan Janga can be seen from Tiger Hill.

The most interesting thing about Tiger Hill is the peak of Ghoom and the snow of hills that attract many tourists. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway located is in the highest railway station. Now Tiger Hill is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tiger Hill is one of the most popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

3.Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park:

Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park Darjeeling has a dense population of different types of animals. It is also known as one of the beautiful zoo of Darjeeling and it is believed that Darjeeling is a paradise for all kinds of animals. The zoo was formerly known as Himalayan Zoological Park and was established in 1958 as a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal.

The park was renamed in 1975 when The Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, visited the park and dedicated it to the memory of Padmaja Naidu, who was also a poet and daughter of the famous freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu. Padmaja Naidu Park is a hotspot for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts.

The park also has  Asiatic Black Bear, Barking Deer, Leopard, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Himalayan Wolf, Lady Amherst, Leopard Cat, Macaw, Eastern Pangolin, Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Red Jungle Fowl are also found in the zoo. It is one of the popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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4.Batasia Loop:

One of the most picturesque train routes in Darjeeling, the Batasia Loop is a naturally green train route that aims to reduce the height of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

One of the most attractions of Batasia Loop is its unmatched natural beauty, which offers amazing views. The purpose behind the construction of the Batasia Loop at Ghoom, located about 5 km from Darjeeling. The beauty of the snowy hills of Kanchan Janga can also be seen from here. Batasia Loop was built in 1919. It is one of the popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

5.Darjeeling Ropeway:

 

Darjeeling Ropeway was started in 1968 by the Forest Development Corporation of West Bengal. It was initially set up to cater to the tea gardens at the valleys below which did not otherwise have easy access. At first, it has just one cable car, now it was upgraded to 16 cable cars each having a capacity of six persons.

It was closed in 2003 after four tourists died when the cable broke causing two cars to fell down the hill. Later it is re-opened with many safety measures in 2012.

6.Bhutia Busty Monastery:

At first, This monastery was located in Observatory Hill where the Mahakal Temple stands today. Later The Monastery was built there by the Lama Dorje Rinzing in 1761 CE. According to history, the monastery was completely ravaged during the Gorkha invasion in 1851 and was rebuilt in 1861. But due to some issues, it had to be shifted to its present location in the year 1879. But now the monastery in the new location was also destroyed by an earthquake in 1934 CE, after which it was restored and reconstructed by the King of Sikkim.
The present structure is stunning and It has a traditional Tibetan style with Sikkimese influence. The Bhutia Busty Monastery belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhists and also has links with the Kagyu and Nyingma orders of Tibetan Buddhism. The main prayer room inside the Bhutia Busty Monastery has a photo of the Holiness Dalai Lama and also has a model of Buddha in a glass case.

The Monastery has images of Tara Devi and Lakshmiswari who is a goddess with thousand hands and eyes. On the other side of the prayer room, there is a large image showing Buddha’s life story. Bhutia Busty Monastery is one of the most popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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7. River Rafting in Teesta River:

White water rafting is one of the most exciting and fun full activities in the Teesta river in Darjeeling. A favorite destination for adventure buffs, rafting has a series of rapids ranging from grade 1 to 4. However, only professionals or seasonal trainers are allowed for rafting because of the high risk involved. Teesta River is the popular attraction Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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8.Attractions in Darjeeling Sandakphu Trek:

The famous Sandakphu Trek of Darjeeling is the most exciting thing in Darjeeling. Sandakphu is located very much close to Singalila National Park. Sandakphu is the highest peak of West Bengal.  you have some excellent views of four of the five highest peaks in the world. Sandakphu trek attracts tourists. It is one of the popular trek Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

9. Singalila National Park and a wildlife sanctuary:

The  Singalila forest  Range was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1986. the forest was declared a national park In 1992. The Singalila Range is located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, bordering Nepal, West Bengal, and Sikkim.

One of the major attractions of the Darjeeling district is Sandakfu (11,909 ft) and Fault (11,611 ft). Singalila National Park, built around the rhododendron forest in their lap, is the main tourist attraction. Which is divided into two parts. The southern part (6,900 feet) begins with Manevanjan. This place is one the finest Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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10. Tourist tourist destination Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI):

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) is one of the best mountaineering institutes in the world. Founded on November 4 in 1954 by none other than Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, The first Prime Minister of India, commemorating the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by the late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary.

As the main mountaineering institute in Southeast Asia, HMI is also called the Mecca of Indian Mountaineering. The Institute has an international reputation and has trained thousands of people around the world in mountaineering and mountain adventure activities. It is one of the popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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11.Rock Garden: Gape At The Man-Made Beauty:

One of the most interesting places to visit Darjeeling is this beautiful rock garden. To see this magnificent waterfall garden you have to go down a bit from the city. It’s nice to see the two sides of the road. After going a little further, the shape of the fountain can be seen from a distance.

Inside there is a beautiful flower garden and a few steps of the mountain fountain and you will hear the sound of its falling. There are beautiful paths and stairs to see the steps of the fountain. If you want, you can climb up to the top and enjoy the beauty of the fountain and its surroundings. It is one of the popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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12.Peace Pagoda:

The location of this temple is quite close to the city. It takes only 10 minutes by car from the city. This Buddhist temple is called the Japanese Temple because it was built with the funding of a Japanese saint. As soon as you go up the stairs, you will see a temple with two huge golden lion statues on the door and a large Japanese saint inside. And if you look to the right, you will see the Peace Pagoda. From the stairs to the Peace Pagoda, the surrounding mountain nature will move your mind.

The area is quite quiet and peaceful as it is a religious holy place. Almost everyone comes to this place when they come to Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

13. Happy Valley Tea Garden:

It is the second oldest tea estate of  Darjeeling, Established in 1852. Happy Valley Tea Garden is located on Lebang Carter Road, about 2 km from Darjeeling city. Here you can see the famous tea garden of Darjeeling on the hill which will increase the pleasure of your trip manifold. This place is one the finest Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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14.Ghum Monastery:

Old Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yogi Crawling. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa or Yellow Hat sect and is known for its 15 ft (4.6 m)-high Sherab Gyatso, who was the head of the monastery until 1905.In 1909, Kyabje Domo Geshe Rinpoche Ngawang Kalsang, known as Lama Domo Geshe Rinpoche, made Sherab Gyatso the chief. It was he who commissioned the Maitreya Buddha statue, and he remained the head until 1952.

During the 1959 Chinese occupation of Tibet, many high-ranking men fled to India and took refuge in the monastery. In 1961, Dardo Rimpochee became the head of the Ying Choiling Monastery Ghoom, Darjeeling. He died in 1990 and three years later, a boy named Tenzin Legshad Wangdi was recognized as his reincarnation. On 25 April 1996, he was in Kalimpong Tibetan ITBCI School.

The tulkas, in the thirteenth line of Tenzin Legshad Wangdi, are still known as Dhadul Tulku. He is studying Tibetan Philosophy at Drepung Losling University in South India. It is one of the popular Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

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15. Nightingale Park:

Nightingale Park is a peaceful park with well-maintained lush gardens, benches, shelters, located near Chaurasta Mall in Darjeeling.
Nightingale Park is located in Messering Hill Station Darjeeling and has a very beautiful garden located on a high level, offering the most idyllic views of its surroundings, including the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga.

In the morning time, the park looks very stunning when the mist walks through the alpine trees of the park, as well as the pleasing sound of prayers from the monastery, its beauty in addition to the giant statue of Lord Shiva and a musical fountain in the park.As soon as the sun rises on the hill, its beauty changes. If you are a peace seeker and want to visit some local places, Darjeeling is the best place to visit.

You can spend some free time with your family and friends in the quiet, serene, and picturesque surroundings of Nightingale Park. This place is one the finest Places To Visit in Darjeeling.

16. St. Andrew’s Church Darjeeling:

St Andrews is one of the oldest churches in Darjeeling. Andrew’s Church Darjeeling was built in 1843 and named after the patron saint of Scotland, St Andrew. The early worshipers in this church were Scottish soldiers and tea gardens. The church was severely damaged in the earthquake and had to be rebuilt in 1873.