Located in the Indian state of West Bengal, Darjeeling is known for its tea industry. The city is located amidst the lower Himalayas that are also known as the Mahabharat Range. The town was developed in the mid-19th century by the British and soon the town came to be known for its vast tea estates that produce the best Tea in the country. The city was controlled by the kingdom of Sikkim till it was taken by the Gorkhas and subsequently the British. The town is located at an average elevation of 2050 meters and comes under the eastern Himalayan Zoo-geographic zone. The town is endowed with a rich cultural history and natural resources and due to its pleasant climate all year round, is a popular tourist spot. Below is a list of the best places one can visit in Darjeeling.
Tiger Hill: Get Mesmerized By The Surreal Beauty
Located at the highest point in Darjeeling at an altitude of 2,590 m, Tiger Hill is located about 11 km from Darjeeling town. If you visit Tiger Hill in the day, it is just another viewpoint and you will hardly see any tourist there. But early in the morning, the place is full of a long queue of cars and people waiting for the sun to rise. Tiger Hill is now internationally famous for its magnificent sunrise view above the Kanchenjunga and other eastern Himalayan ranges.
There is a watchtower at Tiger Hill from where you will get a sweeping view of the mountain ranges. It is an amazing experience to see the first rays of sun falling on the snow-clad ranges of the Kanchenjunga and Everest. The sky gradually changes color from golden yellow to orange as the sun rises up the horizon.
The best time to get clear views of sunrise is during autumn and winter. But the weather in Darjeeling can be quite unpredictable and a sudden cloud can totally obstruct the sunrise view. Even otherwise, Tiger Hill is a great place to visit in Darjeeling to soak in the Himalayan beauty.
Batasia Loop: Admire The Panoramic View
Batasia Loop can be visited when the famous ‘Toy Train’ makes its way across a looped track that transverses through some beautiful parks. The place is famous for housing a Gorkha war memorial and while in the toy train you can witness a 360 degrees view of Darjeeling. The loop covers an area of 50,000 square feet and transverses spirally into tunnels, landscaped parks and hillocks in this 1,000 feet high descent. The local crafts market located nearby is a must visit. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park: Meet & Greet The Animals
Known for its famous Red Panda and Snow Leopard breeding program, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is spread in an area of 67.56 acres. The zoo is located at an average elevation of 2,134 meters above sea level and is the largest high altitude zoos in India. Some of the rare and endangered species in the zoo are snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan Salamanders, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan mountain goat and Siberian tigers. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Peace Pagoda: Explore & Meditate
Peace Pagoda reflects four avatars of Lord Buddha and is located adjacent to Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple. It attracts people from all religion and offers spiritual serenity and love to all. Spend half an hour meditating here and you are in for a trance nothing else can guarantee. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Ghoom Monastery: Please Your Eyes With Vibrant Colors
One of the most magnificent monasteries near Darjeeling is the Ghoom Monastery, also known as the Yiga Choeling Monastery. Located at Ghum at an altitude of 7400 ft and 8 km from Darjeeling town, it is one of the oldest Tibetan monasteries to be built in Darjeeling area. The major attraction of the monastery is the 15 ft high statue of Maitreya Buddha or future Buddha.
It is believed that the clay to make the statue of the Buddha was brought all the way from Tibet. In front of the statue, there are two huge oil lamps that are kept burning all the time throughout the year. The monastery also houses a number of rare Buddhist manuscripts including a 108-volume Kangyur – The Tibetan Buddhist Gospel. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Rock Garden: Gape At The Man-Made Beauty
Rock Garden is an exquisite picnic spot terraced with natural fall known as Chunnu summer fall, located 10 km away from Darjeeling. It is also known as Barbotey Rock Garden which is surrounded by beautiful hill stream along with the slope covered with fascinating flower gardens and sitting arrangements at various level. It is considered one of the most preferred visiting destinations for nature lovers travelling to Darjeeling.
Apart from the place itself, the route to Darjeeling Rock Garden also offers a delightful sight where one has to go through a scenic journey filled with rocky hills and greenery shared by sharp hairpins and extremely steep roads before one reaches the phenomenal sight of Rock Garden which is positioned between the clouds with the soothing sound of Chunnu Summer-fall. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Himalayan Railway Station: Toot-Toot Through The Peaks
The most famous attraction in Darjeeling, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is also known as the ‘Toy Train’. It is a narrow gauge rail that is 2ft in width and runs between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri and was built in the years between 1879 and 1881. In 1999, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, making DHR, the Second railway in the world to have such an honor after Semmering Railway, Austria. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Get Ready For Some Views
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was established on November 4, 1954 with the main aim of encouraging the interest of people in the mountaineering sport. Currently, this institute is the best school for mountaineering training. Thus, the aspiring mountaineers must apply to this institution to fulfil their dreams. Since the time of its establishment, the institute has trained more than 50,000 students who have moved on to become great mountaineers. Out of these students, more than 20,000 belong to countries other than India.
In fact, the popularity of this institute is such that it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Darjeeling. One reason for this institute being a popular tourist spot is its picturesque setting. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Happy Valley Tea Estate: Vast Tea Plantations Await You
Spread across a massive area of 437-acres, and situated at an elevation of 2,100 meters above sea level, the Happy Valley Tea Estate is one of the major tourist attractions in Darjeeling. The place is located amidst some of the most breath taking surroundings in India. It also houses one of the highest tea factory in the world and was established in 1854 by an Englishman and was later taken over by an Indian aristocracy from Hoogly. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Darjeeling Ropeway: Get An Upper View Of The Magical Place
The beautiful hill station of Darjeeling is best viewed via its exclusive ropeway. From the exquisite landscapes, verdant tea estates, lush green forests, breath-taking flora and fauna to the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Everest and Kanchenjunga, one can witness the beauty of Darjeeling in all its glory!
The Ropeway came into existence in 1968, and since then, has been quite an attraction for the tourists. There are around 16 cable cars that can comfortably carry at least 6 people in one ride which takes place at an altitude of approximately 7,000 feet. The cable cars travel from the North Point in Singmari to the Singla Bazaar, which gives the passengers to click some amazing photographs of this beautiful town. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Dali Monastery: Bow Down & Learn About Buddha Teachings
The Druk Thupten Sangag Choling Monastery, commonly known as Dali Monastery is famous for its Buddhism murals, paintings, documents, and records. If you want to learn more about the religion and their culture, head over to this Monastery and you will have all your answers.
It is strongly recommended to book a stay for a day or two in the Monastery. The best time to visit the Monastery is during the time of prayers. The ambiance of Dali is filled with peaceful vibrations, and anyone who is looking for relaxation can spend some quality time in this Monastery. In other words, people who like quiet and peace must visit this place. Apart from them, the place also invites nature lovers since the backdrop of the edifice is filled with picturesque mountain views and alpine valley. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Darjeeling Mall or Chowrasta: Explore The Place
Darjeeling Mall or Chowrasta is the centre of Darjeeling town and is the most happening place in the entire town. It is a flat piece of land converted into a pedestrian-only zone and no traffic is allowed at the Mall. There are seating arrangements around the Mall where you can relax and have a steaming hot cup of Darjeeling tea. A number of shops are located in the Mall area including tea bars, curio shop, book shops and more. You can stroll around the Mall leisurely or else simply sit on the bench and see Darjeeling come alive in front of you. Horse ride is also available around the Mall at a prefixed rate.
There are a few important places to visit around Darjeeling Mall. You can take a walk around the Mall Road and visit a few of the important and heritage places in Darjeeling. There is also an open-air auditorium and stage where many functions and cultural programmes take place. The Mall or Chowrasta is actually the social fabric of Darjeeling town. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center: Support A Cause
This is essentially a rehabilitation centre for the Tibetan refugees, but since the place gives an opportunity to indulge in a shopping experience, it has also emerged as a popular site among tourists. This help center was initially established with an objective to make the Tibetan community in Darjeeling self-dependent by offering them opportunity to earn money.
The place now offers a wide range of handicrafts including wooden articles, exquisite shawls, leather jackets, and much more that will tickle your fancy. In fact, these products are exported to 36 countries all over the world. Apart from being a place for shopping, it is also a good place to learn about Tibetan refugees living in India. This is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling which offers a view worth capturing.
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