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Renowned in the world for its magnetizing and alluring beauty, the beautiful
town of Darjeeling located at the foothills of the lesser Himalayas is a perfect place for holidaying.Endowed with superb natural beauty and interesting tourist attractions, the town is perfect hill station for leisure and adventure holidays.
Darjeeling is a place where nature rules and most importantly it is one of the most visited hill station in India as one get to enjoy the outmost beauty of North East India.
Apart from Darjeeling trip, tourists also get chance to visit Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and many other wonderful destination of North East India CLICK HERE TO KNOW Well that was the other advantage of visiting Darjeeling but while you are here in this picturesque hill station, some of these wonderful places are surely going to entertain you and provide you a complete and full-filled vacation experience in a hill station of India.
Some of the top interesting and alluring places to visit while in Darjeeling are highlighted as below:
Tiger Hill
Surrounded with alpine pine and evergreen forest, Tiger Hill is an interesting tourist spot famous as a sunrise point. It is an amazing spot to enjoy the beauty of the early morning sunrise, which shows the wonder of the nature and the importance of sun-light.
As the sun starts coming up and as it beams strikes the mighty Kanchen Junga which is also the second highest mountain in the world, color its changes mesmerizing the heart of the onlookers.
The first view of the sunrise is so alluring that you will keep your eyes wide open to know what would be the next color of the nature and mountain Kanchenjunga.
Botanical Garden
Just below the main bus stand is Botanical Garden, which is amazingly beautiful with orchid flowers, medicinal plants and rare flowering plants.
The serene ambiance and the tranquil atmosphere often ask its locals and visitors to enjoy some time in its pure nature ambiance.
Shruberry Park
Shruberry Park also known as Nightingale Park is a sprawling beautiful park, with green surrounding and natural appeal. The peaceful ambiance often tempts couples and tourists for a visit.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
It is yet another renowned attraction and places to visit in Darjeeling. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park also known as Darjeeling Zoo is home to many wild animals, birds and creatures.
Inside the park one can see various species of Himalayan species include the endangered Red Panda, Himalayan Wolf, Clouded Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Goral, etc. Inside the park one can also visit to HMI, where one can see various instruments and accessories used by the world famous mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.
Beside these, there are many other interesting places to visit and to name few are Happy Valley Tea Estate, Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Dhir Dham Temple, Jamuney Bridge and Park and Dali Monastery.
Gradient slope May it seem though but gentle are its bends,
view the wonders of the nature when monsoon does not rain. Batasia loop and its airy space bound by engineering feet war memorial that commands the site where tourist pays more heed.
view the wonders of the nature when monsoon does not rain. Batasia loop and its airy space bound by engineering feet war memorial that commands the site where tourist pays more heed.
Majestic location and its landscape from here one can look to get a clear view of the surroundings which is dominated by valleys, crest of Kanchenjunga and eternal meadows. Spiral track with the double loop in fact depicts the brilliant engineering work of British but never in dream colonials would have thought that their manifesto would attribute in global tourism of Darjeeling,
History
If you talk about its history than its origin dates back the time of early 90s, during that time when British initiated the railway line they figure out the descent steep and to cut down the gradient of sharp fall they constructed Batasia Loop.
The drastic fall was about 1000 ft and it was an engineering requirement to make spiral track to cut the incline bends and with that prospect they discover the Batasia loop.
Sprawling Garden
The moment you would walk here you will witness the tremendous call of nature portrayed by the call of magnificent garden where you can sit, relax and view the anonymous species of Himalayan fauna.
Eco garden here would give you appropriate information about organic farming and plantation which can be considered as the sole economic activity of Darjeeling district. Here you will witness the stand of Rhododendron, Silver Fir, tea and many more.
War Memorial
The moment you will enter the site of Loop you will witness an outstanding testimony of soldiers which is renowned as war memorial. It was constructed in 1995 to commemorate the sacrifice of the Soldiers.
Toy Train
Every tourist coming here to reveal the mystery of Darjeeling loves spending the moment when Toy Train bends through the spiral gauge of the tracks. The moment you will enter train would start taking a circular track which in turn would give you a 360 degree view of the entire surroundings.
Importance of Batasia Loop
As mentioned above it was an engineering call to construct the spiral tracks to cut down the drastic bends of the fall and if they would have lined up the track then the journey of Batasia would have never come into picture.
Tourism Importance
From tourism perspective the existence of Batasia loop is like a key to success because most of the traveller walks here with the dream to travel across the Batasia loop by listening to the sound of the Toy train.
Toy Train ride here is just a dream project because it is a sole destination where train takes a loop of 360 degree giving you a perfect view of the surroundings. Beside that it is the main track from where you would reach other station that surrounds the side of Darjeeling.
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| Darjeeling War Memorial |
How to Reach
By train-the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is located at a distance of around 72 km and it will take approximately 1 and half hour to reach Darjeeling.
By air- the Nearest Airport is Bagdogra which is located at a distance of around of 77 km and it will take 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Darjeeling.
Tea Tourism has been recently added to the new concept of world tourism and Darjeeling is highly banking on it.
This pristine hill station of West Bengal is a Mecca of extensive tea gardens. The hill station is a home to around 80 odd operational tea gardens that stretches over acres of land on open hill slopes.
This pristine hill station of West Bengal is a Mecca of extensive tea gardens. The hill station is a home to around 80 odd operational tea gardens that stretches over acres of land on open hill slopes.
The pleasant mist covered weather and the cool breeze of Darjeeling is perfect for producing one of best tea leaves that is found nowhere else in the world. Here are some of the top tea gardens of Darjeeling hills and its surrounding areas.
Happy Valley Tea Gardens- The Happy Valley tea gardens is one of the finest places to visit in Darjeeling. It is one of the easily accessible tea estates from Darjeeling town. This sprawling tea garden is part of the most of the sightseeing tours in the hill station and it covers an area of about 435 acres.
Tourists should certainly visit this tea garden as it gives to the wonderful opportunity to observe the actual process involved in making the finest tea, from picking of the leaves to manufacturing.
The teas estate applies the orthodox method of preparation, where the fresh handpicked leaves are first died by fans on withering trenches, rolled and pressed to trap the flavor and then left to ferment. After this they are taken out and re-dried and graded according to the quality of the tea.
Glenburn Tea Estate- This tea estate of Darjeeling is a family run business. The estate covers an area of about 100 acres on a hill slope with two streams passing through it. Earlier, Glenburn Tea estate was established in the year 1859 and run by a Scottish tea company during the British rule. Later, it was taken over by the Kolkata based Prakash family and now has gone under the four generations of the family.
It provides general and expensive home stays for tourists. The estate also has bungalows amid the extended gardens that offer breathtaking views of the valleys and the mountain range.
The original planter's bungalow, known as the Burra Bunaglow was restored in the year 2002. The restoration was done while retaining the primeval colonial charm with the addition of luxurious facilities to facilitate the visitors with a comfortable stay.
The bungalow has four large suites that includes king size beds. Another bungalow was added to this tea estate known as The Water Lily Bungalow, which also offers four large suites for comfortable accommodation for the visitors.
Tumsong Tea Estate- The tea estate belongs to the well know Chamong group that owns several other gardens in Darjeeling. Tumsong Tea Estate is situated in Ghoom area, at a distance of about 28 km from the main town of Darjeeling. Earlier, the tea estate covered an area of about 2000 acres and was owned by a German planter JA Wernickle.
Over the years, the garden has been extended to an area of about 186 hectares after it was taken over by the Chamong group. Out of the total area, 114 hectares are used for tea plantations and the rest for factory, retreat areas and office.
The estate has been named so because of the temple locate at the centre of the garden, where the local people worship the Tamsa Devi goddess. The temple existed even before the tea was garden was established at this place.
This tea estate is abounded Himalayan Mountains and over here, one can enjoy the scenic view of the towering Mount Kanchenjunga. As for the accommodation to the tourist visiting this place, there is a colonial house which is also the Manager’s Bungalow.
The bungalow offers four suites that have been kept simple with some antique furniture that gives you the feel of the bygone colonial era. You can enjoy a nature walk through the garden or even watch the tea processing.
A local cultural dance program is also performed for tourists around a bonfire in the evening. One can also camp or play picnic near the river side. The estate also provides day excursion to the close by villages and Darjeeling town.
Makaibari Tea Estate- This tea estate is one of the most important estates in the Darjeeling region. Its significance is because it was the first to establish a factory in Darjeeling, in the year 1859. It is located in the Kurseong area within the Darjeeling district.
The Makaibari Tea Estate has run by the same family over the past four generations. The estate was founded by the Banerjees who came to this place from South Bengal. Rajah Banerjee is the last single owner of the family who looks the estate.
Rajah Banerjee is the first person in the Darjeeling to introduce organic farming in the region and hence giving up the old prevailing practices and protecting the nature. The Makaibari Tea Estate is the first garden in the world to be certified by 'Fare Trade' and also the first to appoint women in a supervisory position. It is one of the finest tea gardens in the world that imposes highest prices at the tea auctions for some of its quality brands like Silver Tip.
There are several home stays dotted in the region of this estate that are provided by the villagers and the tea garden workers. These home stays will offer you an opportunity to stay at this place for some days to enjoy the garden and the surrounding areas. The home stays come at very cheap rates which include three times meal along with the stay.
Fun and entertainment is another name of Darjeeling Himalayan railway and owing to its importance the place where it sheds its engine has become a place for tourist adventure.
Since we understand the line that runs through the steep gauge and stretch is something different as compare to any other railway tracks but there is much more than just a hilly slopes and sharp turnings.
Although we need to understand its importance and contribution in easing revenue from tourist but more we need to be conscious regarding its history and repulsive situation but first we need to thank British government and East India Company for turning this dream project into reality and today their courteous approach has left its trademark around the globe.
Darjeeling Himalayan railway station, which is a main junction and point of terminals is one of the most pristine and historical site. Built between late 18th century this is the place where the main stream of engine rest its head and for tourist information this engine are most unique in designs and very rare and are to be found in some other hill station of India, where British had set up this steam engine railway.
Steam engine which was the first mark of British colony can be considered as oldest and historical and understanding its importance UNESCO have announced this place as World Heritage Site, since then the value and impetus of this station has witnessed mass number of tourist.
What’s more interesting to notice Darjeeling Himalayan railway is the second site to have this Honour of UNESCO and the tracks which were built in 1881 are still the same and very little renovation has been done, which in turn gives the taste of authentic British engineering.
At present day the locomotive which has four diesel engine runs through the tracks of Kurseong to Darjeeling which in its first phase used to run till Siliguri but with the growing natural calamities the tracks was removed from Kurseong to Siliguri and today it function and runs through the gates of Darjeeling Himalayan railway station till Kurseong.
Pay a visit here to witness narration of British approach where they had share their glory time by making this place as their summer retreat and lived through the ages.
Nearby Attraction
Beside the beautiful gate of Darjeeling railway station which is settled perfectly at a site of Darjeeling main town, here you have brilliant opportunity to see and allure nearby attractions like chowrasta which is 10 minutes away from this site, Lloyd Botanical garden 15 minutes away from this site, Mall road and observatory hall 15 minutes away from this site, Nightingale park 20 minutes away from this site, Himalayan mountaineering institute 25 minutes away from this site and Padmaja Himalayan zoological park which is also 25 minutes away from here.
You can also visit to other interesting attractions like Singamari Rope Way, Peace Pagoda, Batasia Loop, Tiger Hill, Mirik Lake and Jamuney Bridge.
How to Reach
Nearest railway station from Darjeeling is New Jalpaiguri which is at a distance of 72 km.
Nearest airport from Darjeeling is Bagdogra, which is at a distance of 69 km from here.
Located near the proximity of Chowrasta Square, Observatory Hill are perhaps the most exquisite places
to be around while you walk through the doors of Darjeeling. The most eloquent and impressive thing that you are going to notice from the site of the Observatory hill is the magical view of Mount Kanchenjunga.
to be around while you walk through the doors of Darjeeling. The most eloquent and impressive thing that you are going to notice from the site of the Observatory hill is the magical view of Mount Kanchenjunga.
As per the history before the feet of Observatory hill the site was obtained and possessed by ever historical Bhutia Busty Monastery but now the site is covered and nurtured by ever divine force of Mahakal temple.
Monastery
It is very important to note that before an assertion of Mahakal Temple the site was observed by the presence of the oldest monastery of Darjeeling which was established by Dorje Rinzing in late 17th century. As per the believes the name Darjeeling has its association with the monks of Monastery who relate in terms of defining the land referred Dorje Ling which means land of thunderbolt.
There is another set of opinion who believes that the walls of monastery were destroyed by the raid of Gorkha in 1815 which was successfully reconstructed in 1861 and was reallocated to its present location in 1879.
Temple
Nestled within the heights of Chowrasta an adulating beauty of Observatory hill which is commonly known as Mahakal temple is a divine and one of the most renowned and celebrated temple within the whole district of Darjeeling.
Tourist Centre
As the site is perched perfectly between the most alluring destinations of Darjeeling Chowrasta and mall the site has been confirmed as the place form where you could clearly enjoy the view of Mount Kanchenjunga and other seductive sites which is located at far corner of east.
Around The Hill
While you walk down to get the blessings of Lord Shiva and would try to explore the point of caves make sure to enjoy the pristine site which is located within the vicinity of Mall and Observatory hall such as Birch hill, Raj Bhawan which is an official residential address of Governor of West Bengal, The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute which is settled within the ambiance of Jawahar parbat, St. Andrews colonial church, Ranga Mancha which is the latest addition of showcase and many more.
Best Time to Visit
Although the side of Darjeeling and gates of Observatory hill is open throughout the year but the best time would be during the time summer and during the month of October and November when sky will be clear and you will get to see the brilliance of Observatory hill.
How to Reach
The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri which is located at a distance of approximately 71 km and it will take round about 2 and half hour to reach here.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra which is located at a distance of about 77 km and it will take round about 2 and half hour of ride to reach here.
The nearest nodal point to both New Jalpaiguri and Bagdogra is Siliguri which is located at a distance of round about 5 to 7 km and once you land here make sure to hire cab or better get into shared sumo for cost efficient ride.
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