Darjeeling
Darjeeling is one of India’s most popular hill stations, and it is easily accessible from nearby cities in West Bengal. Despite the lack of an airport, Darjeeling is easily accessible by road.
Darjeeling, with its vast lawns of tea plantations and scenic valleys, is unquestionably one of the most ideal vacation destinations. Darjeeling, nestled in the Himalayan range, offers the full tourist experience, with green valleys and serene monasteries. Every tourist who thinks of Darjeeling is drawn to the snow-capped mountains and white peaks of Kanchenjunga. Darjeeling, one of West Bengal’s jewels, is a perfect blend of modern and traditional. It has a youthful vibe, and the colonial culture adds to the overall experience.
Darjeeling, with its museums, monasteries, and delicious food, can make any tourist happy. Don’t miss out on their delectable Momos, which will leave you wanting more. So, take a stroll down memory lane and peruse this list of popular places to visit in Darjeeling.
Getting to Darjeeling is much easier than getting to the other hill stations in the North East. The best way to get to Darjeeling is to fly to Bagdogra Airport, from which you can take a cab and enjoy a three-hour road trip through one of India’s most scenic roads.
How to Reach Darjeeling
BY AIR
Darjeeling’s nearest airport is in Bagdodara. It has direct flights to Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati.
BY TRAIN
A bus or private taxi can take you to Darjeeling in 3 hours from here. The nearest station on the main intercity line is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), which is located near Siliguri. Direct trains to NJP run several times a day from Delhi (approximately 27 hours). The journey to Darjeeling is then completed by the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately known as the “Toy Train.” This route is very popular with tourists because it passes through some breathtaking mountain scenery and has been the subject of numerous romantic articles and films.
BY ROAD
The distances by road are as follows: Kolkata 651 km, Gangtok 100 km, and Kalimpong 51 km. If you plan to drive in from Kolkata, you will encounter some stretches where the road conditions are less than ideal. However, once you get to the hill stretch, it is a joy to drive. The journey takes 14 hours.
Best Places to Visit in Darjeeling
- Tiger Hill
- Tinchuley
- Batasia Loop
- Rock Garden
- Ghoom Monastery
- Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery
- Senchal Lake & Wildlife Sanctuary
- Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park
1. Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill, the epitome of peace and serenity, is by far the most beautiful place to get a panoramic view of Everest and Kanchenjunga. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its stunning location at the summit of Ghoom, the highest railway station on the Himalayan Railway. It is not only beautiful, but it also has the ability to make you feel peaceful as the wind hits your face and you gaze out at the vast scenery. Its surreal beauty makes it one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling, as well as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Darjeeling!
2. Tinchuley
Tinchuley, located near the West Bengal-Sikkim border, is a hidden village whose beauty can only be described by experiencing it firsthand. Tinchuley, set in the midst of nature, is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling. You can take a walk through the beautiful green forest or cool off in the cool waters of the Teesta. Tinchuley also offers a stunning view of Mt. Kanchenjunga; it is regarded as one of the best tourist destinations in Darjeeling and is a must-see for anyone looking to spend a relaxing weekend.
3. Batasia Loop
Batasia Loop, one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling, provides the best panoramic view of Darjeeling and Kanchenjunga’s scintillating snow-capped peaks. The Batasia loop is a British creation that was designed to help them work their way through a 140-foot fall. It is considered an architectural and engineering masterpiece. The Batasia loop lives up to its name by providing a fully functional view as well as allowing trains to easily circumnavigate the slope. Put your head in the clouds in this Darjeeling tourist attraction and let nature take you on a tour.
4. Rock Garden
If Darjeeling is known for anything man-made, it should be the Rock Garden. This man-made garden, one of the most popular Darjeeling tourist attractions, is made entirely of rocks and is strewn with flora, fauna, waterfalls, and bridges. This tourist destination in Darjeeling offers a wide range of activities for families to enjoy. Lose yourself as you wander aimlessly through this picturesque man-made structure, which is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling.
5. Ghoom Monastery
The Ghoom Monastery is one of Darjeeling’s oldest temples, with vibrant colours, a rich history, and one of the most relaxing Darjeeling tourist spots. The Ghoom Monastery, also known as Yiga Choeling in Tibetan, is home to a 15-foot gold Buddha statue. A diamond-like gem is believed to be hidden between his brows. The sight of the gem sparkling and gleaming in the light of the butter lamps makes this a must-see tourist attraction in Darjeeling.
6. Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery
Enter this tranquil monastery in Darjeeling to set your soul free. The Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery, also known as Aloobari locally due to its location, is a popular tourist destination in Darjeeling. The monastery is home to many Buddha idols, scriptures, and manuscripts, as well as beautiful paintings made from grass and herbs. There are a few places in Darjeeling that you should not miss. Darjeeling’s Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery is one such tourist attraction.
7. Senchal Lake & Wildlife Sanctuary
There aren’t many places where you can be one with nature while still feeling like you’re watching it from a bird’s-eye perspective! One such location is the Senchal Lake and Wildlife Sanctuary. A visit to this beautiful town of Darjeeling would be incomplete if you did not include a visit to this sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to high altitude animals such as the Himalayan Black Bear, Rhesus Monkey, Barking Deer, Himalayan Flying Squirrel, and many more birds, with scenic backgrounds, vibrant colours, and nature at its best. The lake became the primary source of water for the entire town as a result of its presence in town, and it is now a part of the sanctuary. Darjeeling’s wildlife has always been a draw, and it is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling.
8. Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park
Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is the place to go if you’re interested in wildlife and want to connect with nature. This zoo is home to some of the world’s largest populations of Snow Leopards, Red Pandas, and other animals that you’ll want to get up close and personal with. Padmaja Naidu Park encompasses nearly 60 acres of land. Given the zoo’s vast expanse, it’s only natural that it has a diverse wildlife collection, much of which is found at high altitudes. One such location that you should not miss out on while sightseeing in Darjeeling. As one of Darjeeling’s most scenic destinations, the area surrounding Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is also home to some of the best hotels, B&Bs, villas, and homestays.