Welcome to Darjeeling

Welcome to Darjeeling, the land of misty mountains, snowy peaks, evergreen hills and the most hospitable people you would come across anywhere. Darjeeling is a composite word of  "Dorje" and "Ling' which means the land of thunderbolt. Situated at an altitude of over 6500 ft. the climate of Darjeeling varies from sub zero condition during the peak winter season to pleasant temperate climate during the summers. Rainfall is abundant during the monsoons from the month of June to August. The best time to visit Darjeeling is from March to mid June and September to November.

Places of Interest

Tiger Hill: About 15 km from the town, up a steep mountain hill is famous for the sunrise. The first light of the sun illuminating the mountain peaks of Mt. Kanchanjunga is breathtaking and is once in a life time experience. Mt. Everest the highest peak in the World is also visible from here. One can also enjoy the panoramic view of Darjeeling town from the hill top.

Ghoom Monastery: On the way back from the Tiger Hill is situated the famous Yiga Choeling  monastery at Ghoom, popularly known as the Ghoom monastery. This monastery built in 1875 by a famous astrologer has the statue of "the coming Buddha" or the Maitriya Buddha. 

Batasia Loop: Near Ghoom Railway Station is the famous Batasia loop where the toy train makes a complete circle which is a visual treat to watch. Also constructed on the site is a War Memorial in remembrance of the brave sons of Darjeeling who have laid down their lives in defence of the Nation.

 

Dhirdham Temple: Near Darjeeling Railway Station is the Dhirdham Temple which is a replica of the famous Pasupatinath Temple of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Botanical Garden: Llyods Botanical garden situated just below the market area has a rich collection of the flora of the region. The rhododendrons, magnolia and the orchid are but just a few of the plants and flowers in the garden. Famous British Botanist Dr.Joseph D.Hooker a contemporary and friend of Charles Darwin had spent his time in Darjeeling studying the rich and varied local vegetations.

Zoological Park: The Darjeeling zoo houses some of the rare animals of the Himalayas like the Red Panda, the Tibetan Wolf and the Himalayan snow leopard. There is also an active breeding centre for the endangered snow leopard within the zoo complex. The zoo is also home to the Siberian tigers and Himalayan black beer. Besides there are many other rare animals and birds housed in the zoo.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Adjoining the zoo on the same ridge is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute which was founded in 1954 after the conquest of Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and the local hero Sri Tenzing Norgay. This Institute is associated with the names of the likes of Tenzing and Nawang Gompo, renown mountaineers with great characters and legends in their own lifetime. The Institute also has a museum with a rich collection of present and past mountaineering equipments and mementoes from different mountaineering expeditions and a large exhibition of photography showing the different facets of mountaineering life and those glorious moments of human effort and triumph which have been captured for eternity.

Singla Ropeway: This Ropeway maintained by the Forest Department is  very popular with the tourist. Located at the North Point which is 3 km from the town the cable car ropeway carrying 6 passengers descends over steep slopes to Singla near river Rangeet. The change of temperature from the cool air of Darjeeling to warmth of  the valley is dramatic. On the way the ropeway passes through beautiful lush green valleys.

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre: The centre is home to the Tibetan Refugees who had fled their homeland and rebuilt their life all over again in India. The centre produces best of Tibetan carpets, woollen sweaters and other items of Tibetan handicrafts. A popular destination for foreign tourist to get a glimpse of Tibetan arts and handicrafts.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railways: Popularly known as the toy train which have been chugging along the 88 km route from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling since 1881 has recently acquired the World heritage status from the Unesco. A feat of engineering marvel of the time the train still faithfully runs the same route but with a new diesel engine. Steam engine is still used for carrying tourist for joy ride.

 

There are also other places of tourist attractions like the Rock garden, Natural Museum, Observatory Hill, Japanese Temple, Shrubbery Park, Ava Art Gallery and others which are worth a visit.

 

TOY TRAIN VIDEO

(click to play)

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