Best Places to Visit in Darjeeling
The Tea City, Darjeeling has been tucked in the Lesser Himalaya. Darjeeling has attracted millions of travellers from all over the world. and see the best places to visit in Darjeeling.
This tea city is well known for its quaint colonial ambiance and hosts the Gorkha culture.
In India, the hill station, Darjeeling is the famous gateway to the popular trek, the Sandakphu-Phalut Trek in the Indian Himalayan region.
It is the prominent place in India to visit from where you can capture the entire beautiful panorama of the Himalayan region which ranges from Mount Everest to Kanchenjunga.
Several tea estates and evergreen forests are the best places to visit in Darjeeling, which offers a retreat and are ideal for leisure scapers.
Here is the list of some best places to visit in Darjeeling at which you will surely enjoy your Darjeeling trip. You can read also Places to Visit in Jaipur.
Climatic Conditions in Darjeeling
The Hilly towns of Darjeeling were taken over by the British. They annexed the area from the kingdom of Sikkim based on the fact that its subtropical temperature of highland climate provides the failing of low lying plains from tropical diseases in Bengal.
The summers are mainly cool from April to June, and the area becomes wet during the monsoon showers. The maximum rainfall gets noticed from July to September during monsoon season.
The winter months are incredibly cool from mid-November to February. The moderate temperature saw a range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. You can read also Places to Visit in India.
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling
The climatic conditions in Darjeeling stay cool throughout due to the rapid showers. The quick showers get noticed because the region lies near the Bay of Bengal. The perfect time to visit Darjeeling is around October till Mid-February.
It is the best time to visit because the climate is pleasant and rainfalls are less frequent, which helps the tourists to visit the town properly. It helps in enjoying the picturesque surroundings.
How to Reach Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a hill station, and it is the capital of Calcutta. It gets connected adequately with major towns situated in West Bengal and the neighbouring states.
The airport is in Kolkata and Guwahati, and it is the nearest in the Assam. You can read also Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh.
There are various domestic and international flights available from Kolkata and Delhi. The railway of Darjeeling is found well-connected with all kinds of railway stations in India. The train transport system is also available from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Kochi.
Many other transport systems are available like buses, shared taxis and jeeps for reaching the towns lying in the neighbouring city of Siliguri.
All the transport systems get used depending on the requirements of the people. You can read also Places to Visit in Dehradun.
Exciting Places to Visit in Darjeeling
There are various places to visit in Darjeeling, and the site is well-crowded. There are the following places to visit in Darjeeling-
Tiger Hill
The Tiger Hill is situated on a height of around 2800km from sea level on the Eastern Himalayas and 14 km from the Darjeeling city.
From this hill, you can see every kind of scene of the city beautifully. Moreover, you can see the famous mountains near Darjeeling like Kanchenjunga mountain from here. The Best time to visit Tiger hill is winter time.
And you can also see the highest mountain hill in the world, Mount Everest from Tiger Hill.
Tiger Hill is the highest peak point in the city, Darjeeling as it is the best place to visit in Darjeeling. You can read also Places to Visit in Mussoorie.
The other point from where you can view all these mountains is Phalut, which is at 3600m, and you can only reach there by trekking.
You can start the trekking route for Phalut from Darjeeling which starts from Manebhanjan and goes through Giribas, Tonglu, Sandakphu, and Kalapokhri.
While going through a trekking way, you will also see Singalila National Park on the way which is another best place to visit in Darjeeling.
After all this, Tiger Hill is best known for the view of Kanchenjunga mountain at the time of sunrise. It mainly takes 40-45 minutes to reach the city, Darjeeling from the hill.
Best things to do: trekking, Adventurous climbing
How to reach: by taxi or a cab from Darjeeling
Major attraction: theme park, lake
Ropeway
Location: 3763+HFW, Singmari, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734104
From Delhi Chowk Bazar to Singamari, this ropeway is 3 km in the way. This entire ropeway ride is of total forty-five minutes.
In the whole ride of 45 minutes, you travel from the height of 7000 ft to the height of 800 ft. You can read also Places to Visit in Russia.
This Ropeway of Darjeeling is the oldest cable car system in India. By sitting in this cable car, you can enjoy the beautiful mountains of Darjeeling, tea gardens, and the beautiful scenic view of Darjeeling.
Darjeeling Ropeway is even known as the Rangeet Valley Passenger Cablecar which offers a refreshing gateway to passengers.
It is the best tourist places to visit in Darjeeling where you can spend your ideal hours in Darjeeling and enjoy the place. The ticket price of the Ropeway is rupees 200 per adult and rupees 100 for childrens within the age of 3-8 years. You can also read Best Places to Visit in August.
Best things to do: Cable car ride
How to reach: you can take a cab or jeep from chowk Bazar and walk about 15 minutes to reach there
Major attraction: cable car
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo
Location: Zoological Park, Lebong Cart Road, Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734104
This Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo is located at 3 km distance from the city Darjeeling. The whole zoo is distributed around the area of 70 acres of land.
This zoo is home to the Red Panda, Siberian tiger, Tendua, and many animals of the world.
Many tourists visit here from the entire world to see these living beings in the zoo. You can read also Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
The major aim of the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo is to save all these animals from migrating and endangering.
Best things to do: getting experience by watching some endangered species.
How to reach: you can walk from the Jawahar road from Mall road to reach the entrance of the zoo
Major attraction: Himalayan black bear, Tibetan Wolf
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
This Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Yatra starts from Ghum to Darjeeling which is 78 km. It is now the facility of the mini railway in India.
And also this yatra is famous and engraved in UNESCO heritage. By sitting on this train, you can enjoy the beautiful places in Darjeeling.
It is because the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the best place to visit in Darjeeling. You can read also Most Attractive Places in India.
Best things to do: visit the Himalayan railway
How to reach: by cab or taxi
Major attraction: its cleanliness and sightseeing view
Japanese Peace Pagoda
Location: 27H5+2HQ, West Point Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102
Japanese Peace Pagoda is a beautiful temple which is situated almost ten km away from the Darjeeling city.
This temple is built with white marble similar architecture to the temples of Japan. This temple was built to keep silence in the world.
You can see the beautiful scenic view of the entire Darjeeling city by standing here in the temple.
The Japanese temple in Darjeeling is the major Buddhist pilgrimage site that was inaugurated in the year 1972.
There is a picture of the founder and the model of Lord Buddha, who is Fuji Guruji. You can read also Visiting Places in Thailand.
Peace Pagoda is the place near to the Japanese temple, which is a monument built for peace to focus on people of every creed and race.
It aims to unite all the people in search of world peace. This place was inaugurated in the year 1992.
Peace Pagoda is the place in Darjeeling which is home to the four avatars of Lord Buddha. You can read also Most Beautiful Places in Sikkim.
You can watch a panoramic view of the entire landscape of Darjeeling town and the Kanchenjunga range from the top of the Peace Pagoda.
These two are the most top tourist places to visit in Darjeeling which you can’t miss while visiting the Darjeeling trip.
Best things to do: worshipping in the shrine
How to reach: by car, you can easily reach the pagoda
Major attraction: Lord Buddha statue
Barbotey Rock Garden
Location: 26GQ+667, Rock Garden Road Bloomfield Tea Garden, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102
This garden was made up of cuttings of big mountain rocks. That’s why this garden is known as the rock garden.
Ten km away from the city Darjeeling, here is a beautiful and lovely picnic spot.
Barbotay is the best Darjeeling tourist place. There is a small beautiful waterfall in the Barbotey rock garden. The Chunnu Summer Falls makes the garden more scenic.
Best thing to do: picturing the beautiful view, eating at food stalls.
How to reach: you should book a taxi or a cab for reaching the spot
Major attraction: waterfall, Ganga Maya park
Batasia Loop
Location: near Ghoom, West Point, West Bengal 734102
This place was established to tribute the people who were died in the wars before India got independent. Other than this, the famous train of Darjeeling, The Toy Train takes a turn from here.
By standing here in the Batasia loop, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the entire Kanchenjunga mountain.
This place is also famous for buying great local things about Darjeeling. You can read also Best Destinations to Visit in Europe.
This is the best place to see in Darjeeling and for the photo shoot. You can take many beautiful pictures here with the scenic beauty of the Batasia Loop.
Batasia Loop is especially known for the railway track on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from where the Toy Train takes a loop around its beautiful garden of it.
It is very close to Ghoom and around 5 km away from the Darjeeling town. On a clear sunny day, you can see the beautiful Kanchendzonga mountain. You can read also Travel Tips to Asia.
Best things to do: a toy train
How to reach: you can book a taxi or a cab from Darjeeling which is 5 meters away from the loop.
Major attraction: Eco garden, War Memorial
Observatory Hill
Location: 27X8+XC2, Naya Basti, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101
Observatory Hill is situated at a height of 7000ft from the sea surface. It is another beautiful and prominent tourist place to visit in Darjeeling.
By standing up on this hill, you can see the beautiful scenic view of Darjeeling, including the clad peaks and Kanchendzonga.
This point is located on the height of the mall road on the way for fifteen minutes. On Observatory hill, there is also a tourist temple which is known by the name of Mahakal temple.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and even three gold-plated icons of Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Maheshwar. You can read also Wildlife Places in India
This temple is the famous Hindu Pilgrimage to visit in Darjeeling. This temple was built after the invasion of Gorkhas. Originally, Observatory hill was home to the Darjeeling Monastery.
There are many more temples around the Observatory hill like Hanuman Temple, Sai Baba Temple, Buddhist Monks, and several Hindu Priests.
Best things to do: explore the history of Lord Shiva and Mahakal Temple
How to reach: you cannot contact there through taxi, but you have to ought uphill to walk about 15 minutes
Major attraction: Mahakal temple, Mahakal Cave
Happy Valley Tea Estate
Location: Lebong Cart road, Chowk Bazar, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101
This Happy Valley is situated two km away from the city, Darjeeling. This Happy Valley Tea Estate is very large, which is distributed in 437 acres of big land.
This valley is ancient in the production of Tea. Darjeeling tour guides are also present at this valley all the time who take you to tea production houses and warehouses to tell you about their facts.
You can get every information about the production of tea from these local tour guides of Darjeeling. From here, you can also buy Happy Valley Tea. You can read also Famous Tea Garden in India.
Your trip to Darjeeling remains incomplete if you do not visit this tourist place in Darjeeling. This is the oldest tea estate in Darjeeling which was established in the year 1854.
You can also see the plucking process if you visit here in the months between March and May.
Happy Valley Tea Estate is around 3 km away from the city of Darjeeling. Tea lovers will surely love these tourist places to visit in Darjeeling.
Best things to do: to watch the process of production of tea in gardens.
How to reach: you can reach to the nearest Bagdogra airport or Jalpaiguri railway station
Major attraction: tea gardens
Singalila National Park
Location: 23PG+VF5, Singalila Forest, West Bengal
Singalila National Park is situated at Twenty km away from the Darjeeling city. This National Park is famous for the house of Red Panda and Black Bear.
Singalila National park is located in an area of 80 square feet of land. This national park is full of different types of vegetation and living beings. Moreover, this national park is home to various species of Orchards.
Best things to do: trekking, jeep safari
How to reach: you can visit by booking a cab or taxi from Darjeeling
Major attraction: Singalila national park gateway
Ghoom Monastery
This is the largest monastery in Ghoom which was built by Lama Sherab Gyatso in the year 1875.
This Ghoom Monastery belongs to the Gelug Sect, which is the major Buddhist pilgrimage in the district of Darjeeling. You can read also Best Islands in India for Honeymoon.
The Ghoom Monastery is around 8 km away from the City of Darjeeling.
This monastery is home to a statue of “Maitreya Buddha” of 15 feet height, many Buddhist texts, and images of Buddha’s disciplines along with the prayer hall.
Best things to do: to visit the conventional scary sites
How to reach: By car or by walking
Major attraction: statue of Maitreya Buddha
Mirik Lake
Mirik is a sleepy hill town in one of the districts of Darjeeling town. This hilly town is 49 km away from the city, Darjeeling.
A drive through the tea garden to the mountainous slope area is a wonderfully scenic drive.
After reaching, Mirik, you will see Mirik lake. This is the top attraction of this place. On an open flat area on the right side of the lake, there is a separate bus and car parking.
You can relax down by sitting on the banks of the lake. There is also the facility of boating in the lake.
Pony rides are quite famous for children around the Mirik lake in Darjeeling.
So, are you ready to explore the beauty of Darjeeling town?
Make your trip here to visit the beautiful places in Darjeeling. You can adventure around this hill station like wildlife trails, rock climbing, trekking, and hiking in the Singalila range.
FAQs
The name comes from the tigers that roamed during the days of the British.
On the 19th of every month, the Ropeway is closed.
It is famous for Red Pandas, Snow leopards, Himalayan salamanders, and wolves.
In 1999 the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was listed as a World Heritage Site.
Prayer timings are from 4.30 AM to 6.00 AM and 4:30 PM, to 6.30 PM.
Looking for more hiking & trekking guides from Asia? Check out Hiking in Himachal Pradesh & Tiger’s Nest Bhutan and Trekking in Nepal.
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