Darjeeling Information | Place to Visit in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, a town in the Indian state of West Bengal, is internationally famous for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the headquarters of Darjeeling district, located in the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya at an average elevation of 6,710 ft (2,050 m).

Development of the town dates back to the mid-19th century, when the British set up a sanatorium and a military depot. Subsequently, extensive tea plantations were established 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. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 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 neighbouring countries. The town, with its neighbour Kalimpong, was a center for the demand of the Gorkhaland separatist movement in the 1980s. 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-plannedurbanisation.

Reaching your destination:

Siliguri, a bustling town about 80 kilometers from Darjeeling is the gateway to the Hills.

Air:

The closest air port is at Bagdogra (about 88 kilometers from Darjeeling and a three and half hour drive) and is connected by air with all the Metros in the country.

Rail:

New Jalpaiguri(NJP) is the nearest rail head and is also about 88 kilometers from Darjeeling. NJP is also connected with all the major cities of the country with most of trains heading for the north-eastern states making a stop at this junction.

Bus services can be availed from Siliguri to Darjeeling, Mirik and Kalimpong from Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus, Siliguri. However, it is more convenient to travel in smaller vehicles which are available on seat sharing basis/hire, from near the Bus terminus, airport and railway station. The fare per passenger on a seat sharing basis from Siliguri to Darjeeling is less than Rs 100.

For regular visit to Darjeeling, vehicles can be arranged from NJP/Siliguri/Bagdogra and insist on coming up to Darjeeling through the National Highway 55(also called the Tenzing Norgay Road). There are numerous stalls dotting the highway for refreshment as well as have a break in Kurseong. The journey through NH-55 will take approximately 3-3.5 hours.

For planning a visit to Kalimpong from Darjeeling, regular jeep services on seat sharing basis are available. The bookings can be done from the Kalimpong Motor Syndicate situated at the Darjeeling Motor Stand(Super Market Complex). Taxi can also be hired to Kalimpong and have a stop at Teesta Bazar for white water rafting.

Fare per passenger on seat sharing taxis from Darjeeling to Kalimpong is about Rs 70/-(For reserved taxis the rates vary).

Place of interest:

Tiger Hill:

Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters (8482 ft.) and 13 kilometers from the town, 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. You can know more about of Tiger Hill at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/2011/01/darjeeling-tourism-tour-darjeeling.html.

Batasia Loop and the War Memorial:

The Batasia loop situated almost 5 km away from the town is a gigantic railway loop where the Toy Train makes a 360 Degree turn. 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.A War Memorial constructed in the memory of the brave sons of the soil who laid down their lives in the different wars since the independence of the nation adds to its attraction. There is also a well furbished market where visitors can buy locally made purses, bags and other decorative items. You can know more about of Batasia Loop and the War Memorial at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/2011/01/batasia-loop-batasia-loop-and-war.html.

Ava Art Gallery:

Situated about 4 km from the Market Square and on the National Highway, Ava. Art Gallery was established in 1965 by the Late. Bhopal Rao Sett and Ava Devi. It is the only Art Gallery of its kind in the Hills. A collection of 60 pieces of art work in water, oil and thread paintings are displayed in the Gallery. Visitors can travel on foot to get to the Gallery or simply hire a taxi. Entrance fees are not charged.You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Chowrasta and Mall:

Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants is taken to be the heart of the town. Here people gather to chat, spend time basking in the sun or just to snatch a moment of peace. The Brabourne Park is attached to the Chowrasta and now features a musical fountain. This place is an open place and free from vehicular movements from where one can watch the scenic beauty of the mountain range and take charm of walking at the Darjeeling Mall. Chowrasta is the central place of the Mall Road. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/

Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park:

Situated 10 km from town, Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park has now developed into a very attractive picnic spot with natural water falls. The park offers boating facilities and is endowed with great scenic beauty. Ample eateries are available for visitors to indulge in local delicacies and one can even buy souvenirs. No fees are charged for taking photographs. Visitors are however, required to make arrangements for transportation. A two way travel arrangement is advisable. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/.

Peace Pagoda:

The Japanese Peace Pagoda was established by Nipponzan Myohoji, a Japanese Buddhist order. Situated on the slopes of the Jalapahar Hill the pagoda can be reached by foot or on taxi. The pagoda is the highest free structure in the town. It also showcases the four avatars of the Buddha. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/.

Botanical Garden:

It is the oldest Botanical Garden named as Lloyd Botanical Garden with varieties of flora and is famous for two living fossils. It is located just below the Eden Sanatorium(Saheed Durga Mall District Hospital) on an open slope covering an area of about 40 acres. Lloyd Botanical Garden is open seven days a week. There are no entrance fees. A camera, a small note book for a botany enthusiast and a couple of hours to spare, is a must. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/.

Nightingale Park/Srubbery Park:

It is about 2-5 kms from Darjeeling Railway Station and walkable from the Chowrasta. It is a beautiful park with a package of cultural programmes performed daily during the tourist season and its opening time is 4.00 p.m. and closing time is 8.00 p.m. 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. The best time to visit the park is in the evenings. Entrance fee is charged and nominal charges for photography may also be required to be made by the visitor. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car:

Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Passenger Cable Car is popularly known as the Ropeway. It is about 3 km north of the town and situated at what is known as the North Point. The Ropeway is India's oldest passenger ropeway and connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar at the bottom of the valley. The present ropeway has been extensively modernized and visitors can now safely travel over the clouds to witness the aerial view of the lush green tea gardens below. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Senchal Lake:

A scenic place near Tiger Hill. This place has popularly come up as a picnic spot among the tourists. The lake supplies drinking water to Darjeeling Town. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Observatory Hill & Mahakal Temple:

Also known to the locals as the "Holy Hill", it is just a few minutes walk from the Chowrasta and is situated on the highest ridge of the town. The Mahakal temple atop the hill is a revered place for the locals and visitors will be surprised to find a Hindu priest and a Buddhist monk sharing a common altar. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

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. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

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. One can soak in the ambience of the tea garden and take a walk through the carpeted garden. You can take a pony from the Chowrasta or merely walk down the hill to reach the factory. The garden is presently closed but the residents are running it through a cooperative. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/2011/01/darjeeling-tea-garden-darjeeling-tea.html.

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. Considered as one of the best zoos in the country, it is the only centre that breeds the tibetan wolf in captivity. Breeding programmes for the endangered red panda, snow leopard and the siberian tiger are also carried out at PNHZP. The zoo is open on all days except on Thursdays and other national holidays. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com/

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:

The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was set up following the successful ascent of the Mount Everest-the highest peak in the world by the local hero Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir EdEdumund Hillary on 28 May 1953. 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. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com

Raj Bhawan:

Raj Bhawan is the summer residence of the Governor of West Bengal. The fantastically developed mansion with perfect manicured lawns, lush gardens, surrounding forests and British Bungalows overlooks the Darjeeling Lebong spur and commands a magnificent close-up view of the snow capped Kanchanjunga Range. Being a high security zone, visitors are no longer allowed to venture inside its precinct, a walk around it through the dense forest is however, most charming. Visitors can experience the entire Sikkim-Jorethang crest unhindered. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com

Step Aside:

On the way down to Bhutia Busty, via the C.R. Das Road, and a few minutes walk from the Chowrasta is Step Aside, the house in which the great Indian patriot Deshbandhu Chittranjan Das passed away on June the 16th, 1925. On the first floor are preserved a few articles of his personal use. The ground floor is a maternity clinic named after him, for the poor of the town. No entrance fees of any kind are charged. However, visitors are not allowed into the inner sanctum of the house. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Tibetan Refugee 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. After His Holiness escaped from Tibet, thousands of Tibetan refugees came to reside in India. Darjeeling too became a home away from home for the Tibetans in exile. To rehabilitate the community a ten-member committee was formed in Darjeeling to organize a rehabilitation centre which was known as "Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre". The centre was established on October 1, 1959 and the residents of the centre are today known for their handicrafts. The centre makes excellent carpets, woolen goods, woodwork, etc, which are famous across the globe. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com

Monasteries of Darjeeling:

Druk Thupten Sangag Choling Monastery(Dali Monastery)
This monastery is situated at Dali, about 4 kms away from Darjeeling town. This is one of the most famous monasteries belonging to the Kargyupa sect. The pioneer of this monastery was Thuksay Rimpoche, who died in 1983 and his incarnate is reported to have been born in 1986 at Ladakh. This monastery is the headquarters of Drukchen Rimpoche XII, the supreme head of the Kargyupa lineage. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Ghoom Monastery:

Built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso, this ancient monastery is said to have been blessed by the renowned Tomo Geshe Rimpoche of Tibet. The specialty of this monastery is that it contains the statue of the 'Future Coming Buddha' known as Maitreye Buddha. The Monastery has also preserved some of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts. You could visit the monastery on your return journey to Darjeeling from Tiger Hill. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Tashi Dargyalingh Monastery or the Tamang Ghumba:

The Tamangs are a sub community of the Gorkha/Nepali and mostly belongs to the Nyingmapa sect. Established in 1926 this is one of the oldest monasteries of the community. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

The Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery(Aloobari Monastery):

Situated on the Old Military Road commonly known as the Aloobari road, the Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery was founded by its, Ven. Sangay Lama, the head priest who originally hailed from Nepal. The construction of the monastery, coincided with the beginning of the First World War in 1914. The monastery was therefore named Mag-Dhog or warding off the war and is dedicated to the cause of world peace. The statues of Lord Buddha depicting different forms and the statue of Padma Sambhave at this religious place are stunning. The painting on the wall are said to be done with the help of herbs and are an amazing work of art. Other interesting features of the monastery are the valuaable ancient scriptures lying inside the monastery. You can know more about of Darjeeling Tourism at http://tourismofdarjeeling01.blogspot.com.

Tourist offices:

Deputy Director of Tourism,
Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council,
Silver Fir Building,
Bhanu Sarani,
Darjeeling - 734101
Phone : 2254879/2255351
Fax : 0354-2254214

Reception Information Centre
Darjeeling, Tel: 2255351
Tourist Information Center,
New Car Park,
Ladenla Road, Darjeeling - 734101

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Tourist Bureau,
Govt. of West Bengal,
1, Nehru Road,
Darjeeling - 734101
Phone : 2254050
Fax : 0354-2254102

Tourist Information Center,
Govt. of West Bengal,
Darjeeling Rly. Station,
Darjeeling – 734101

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Permit Section:

Any Foreign National willing to visit Sikkim will need a permit from the Government and it can either be obtained from Darjeeling itself or from the concerned authorities in New Delhi or Calcutta (Kolkata).

Process involved in obtaining the same from Darjeeling:

First one has to get a form from the District Magistrate's (DM) Office, Kutchery, Darjeeling.
Phone no. DM's office: 2254233
Fax no. DM's office: 2254338

After obtaining the form, the next process involves visiting the Foreigner's Registration Office, Opposite State Bank of India, Ladenla Road, Darjeeling, to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Phone No. of Foreigner's Registration Office : 2254203, 2254204

Lastly, a last visit to the DM's Office once again for the final permit to visit Sikkim which will be given by the District Magistrate.

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Bagdogra & Siliguri:

Tourist Center,
Govt. of West Bengal,
M-4 Building (First Floor),
Pradhan Nagar,
Hill Cart Road,
Siliguri.
Phone : 2511974/2511979

Tourist Information Center,
Govt. of West Bengal,
Bagdogra Airport,
Bagdogra.
Phone : 2551794

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Kolkota [Calcutta]
Tourist Bureau,
Govt. of West Bengal,
3/2 B.B.D. Bagh (East),
Calcutta - 1
Phone : 222488271/222488272/222488273

Tourist Information Center,
Govt. of West Bengal,
Howrah Railway Station,
Phone : 22663518

Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Counter,

Govt. of West Bengal,
Regional Tourist Office,
4, Shakespeare Sarani,
Calcutta - 700071
Phone : 222825813/222821402

Tourist Information Center,
Calcutta Airport,
Dum Dum,
Phone : 22372611 Ext. : 441

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