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Darjeeling can also be called as the Queen hill
station of India, it is so beautiful and amazing that it gives a look
Switzerland. It is an old Victorian town surrounded by the beautiful lush
green tea gardens, it was founded by British. Darjeeling is 3000 meters
above sea level and plays an important role in the economy of the area due
its tea gardens and cash crops like orange, potato, cardamom, ginger, etc.
Darjeeling is retreat for trekkers, every year thousands of people come here
to enjoy the trekking challanges. Sandakphu / Phalut trek are the famous
trekking routes.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Bagdorga is the nearest airport i.e. 100 kms from Darjeeling. It is
well connected to the other major cities.
By Rail - The toy train is best way to see the real beauty of Darjeeling, it
runs to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. weather and landslides permitting, but
takes an angst inducing nine hours. Railway reservations for selected
mainline trains out of NJP can be made at Darjeeling’s station a couple of
days before departure. They have tourist quotas for trains to Delhi,
Kolkataa, Bangalore, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram.
By Road - There are frequent buses to Siliguri in every half an hour. Buses
leave for Mirik every thirty minutes. Two minibuses run each day run to
Gangtok and one minibus leaves every day for Kalimpong. Although it’s
possible to buy bus tickets for Kathmandu, tourists still have to change
buses at Siliguri.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to visit Darjeeling is mid September to mid December and resumes
from mid March to mid June.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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The Mall - It is the most happening market of the
town. It features Tibetan hand-knitted sweaters and souvenir shops,
Himalayan artifacts, antiques.
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Chowrasta - The Chowrasta, meaning crossroad, is a
hive of commercial activity. The Mall Road originates and culminates at
the Chowrasta. This is the heart of Victorian Darjeeling.
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Observatory Hill - The oldest site in Darjeeling
is Observatory Hill, known locally as “Makal-Babu-Ko-Thaan”. According
to legend, a Red Hat Buddhist Monastery called Dorje Ling, or 'place of
the Thunderbolt', stood at this very spot. The Nepalis destroyed it in
the 19th century. The Shivas and Buddhists share the temple that stands
there today.
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Himalayan Mountaineering Institute - The must
visit palace which was created by the late Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa
who conquered Mt Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. A
display of equipment used on the climb is one of the highlights.
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Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway - At
North Point about 3-km from the town, this is the first passenger
ropeway in India. For reservation of ropeway seats please contact -
Officer in-charge, Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway Station, North
Point, Darjeeling. Regular share taxi service is available from Market
Motor and Taxi Stand is to the Ropeway Station.
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Ghoom Monastery - One of the better-known
monasteries of Darjeeling, Ghoom is about 6 km south of the city centre.
The 4.57-m high statue of a
seated Maitreya Buddha is of great interest here.
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Bhutia Busty Gompa - Situated 1 km out of town.
With the Khangchendzonga (Kanchenjunga) providing a spectacular
backdrop, this monastery was originally a branch of the Nygmapa sect’s
Phodang Monastery in Sikkim. It was transferred to Darjeeling in 1879.
The shrine here originally stood on Observatory Hill. The monastery has
a well-stocked library with many old Buddhist texts.
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Dhirdham Temple - Located below the railway
station, it resembles the famous Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu.
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Passenger Ropeway - At North Point, about 3 km
from town, this is India's first passenger ropeway. The 5-km long
ropeway connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar on the Ranjit River at
the bottom of the valley.
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Tiger Hill - Tiger Hill (2,555 m), the highest
point in this area, is about 14 km from Darjeeling, near the Ghoom
Monastery. It is famous for its magnificent dawn views over the
Khangchendzonga and other eastern Himalayan peaks. On a clear day, even
Mount Everest is visible.
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Senchal Lake - About 13 km from the town, this
lake near Tiger Hill is appreciated for its scenic splendor. It’s a
popular picnic spot, has a 9-hole golf course with a clubhouse and a
tourist lodge.
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Observatory Hill - The multicoloured Buddhist
prayer flags fluttering in the breeze here provide a rather enchanting
sight. This viewpoint is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
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Aloobari Gompa - This is a good place to go for
some sightseeing and shopping as the monks here sell Tibetan and
Sikkimese religious accessories. About 3 km from the city centre.
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The other tourist attractions are Tibetan Refuge Camp,
Lloyd's Botanical Garden, Tiger Hill, Phalut & Sandakphu, Pashupati,
Kurseong, Mirik, Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong. |
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WHERE TO EAT
You can try the restaurants at the luxury hotels or you can try the
following :
Park, Laden La Road, for Indian and Chinese food.
Hasty Tasty, The Mall, for some wholesome vegetarian thalis and Indian
snacks.
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