Blend
of human excellence and nature's abundance makes Darjeeling undoubtedly one of
the best hill stations in the world. In Darjeeling efforts have been made to preserve
the Himalayan wealth (flora and fauna) through various zoological parks and heritage
conservation parks. Lying along the foothills of Himalayas, Darjeeling is yet
another popular hill resort that provides glimpse of Himalayan beauty through
its dense forests, gurgling water streams, crystal lakes, steep valleys, waterfalls
etc.
One of the prime attractions in Darjeeling is Toy train. The Darjeeling
Himalayan Railway is the first, and still the most outstanding example of a hill
passenger railway. It was inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites. Only
two railways have this status, the Semmering Railway in Austria being the other.
It is a real adventure to explore Darjeeling by toy train. The train comes from
Siliguri and provides a unique opportunity to get familiar with the features of
Darjeeling as it takes nearly six hours to cover a distance of 82 kms. On its
way the train passes through tunnels, forests, and over deep valleys.
Darjeeling
is world famous for its tea. Darjeeling Tea is known as the "Champagne
of Tea" and is the finest in the world. Get yourselves a cup of
Darjeeling Tea and say cheers!
What one can see
in Darjeeling
- Chowrastha Town
- National History
Museum
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
- Himalayan Mountaineering
Institute
- Shrubbery Park
- Observatory Hill
- Darjeeling-
Ranjeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
- Love Road or Lover's Road
-
Tibetan Refugees Self-Help centre
- Tiger Hill
- Rock Garden and
Ganga Maya Park
- Happy Valley Tea Garden
What
one can do in Darjeeling
Apart from tea there are many items that
Darjeeling offers in its shopping malls. The woollen garments can be bought from
the markets on Hill Cart road. The bamboo items are collectors delight from the
region. Hayden Hall is a place to look for the exclusive Tibetan Carpets. Tourists
love taking home the curios and carpets from here. The shops for curios and carpets
are on Chowrasta and Nehru road. These shops also sell thangkas, brass statues,
religious objects, jewellery, wooden carvings, woven fabrics and many other items
from the Himalayan region.
How to reach Darjeeling
The nearest airport to Darjeeling is the Bagdogra airport. Bagdogra is 10 kms
from Siliguri and is an important military installation. From Bagdogra one can
take a bus or taxi to Darjeeling. Darjeeling has a railway station but only the
toy train from Jalpaiguri and New Jalpaiguri comes here. The major trains connecting
the place with all the major places in India come to Jalpaiguri or New Jalpaiguri.
From here again you have to take the toy train or a bus or taxi to Darjeeling.
The place is well connected by roads.
