We are going to introduce you to the 10 best places to visit in Darjeeling in this article that will guide you for your next Darjeeling trip.

Darjeeling, India’s former summer capital during the British Raj, has developed into one of the country’s top-rated hill stations. It is located on a long and narrow mountain crest of the Sikkim Himalayas which slopes to the bank of the Rangit River.

The scenic setting is around 305 kilometers north of Kolkata. Darjeeling, set amid acres of tea estates, is approximately 2,050 metres above sea level and therefore provides a cool setting year-round.

 Here are 10 top places to visit in Darjeeling:

The Mall Road

Mall Road is located right in the center of Darjeeling. It is a flat strip of land on the top of the Nehru Road where four major highways in Darjeeling intersect.

Mall Road serves as both the town center and the major point of social activity. This spot is the finest area to catch an overview of everyday life here in the hill station and immerse oneself in the destination’s true atmosphere, making it one of the most famous places to see in Darjeeling.

What are the main attractions of The Mall Road?

The Mall Road provides incredible panoramas of the surrounding mountains and valleys. On a clear day, one might also see Mount Kanchenjunga from various points along the road.

Other than the picturesque beauty, Mall Road provides a variety of activities. Tourists can ride horses to Rang Manch Bhawan, children can enjoy horse or pony rides, and explore famous historical shops like Oxford Book Store, Habeeb Mullick and Sons Curio Shop, and more.

You can then lounge at various tea cafes at the road’s end. You may also enjoy the famed Darjeeling tea along with delightful cakes or some of the local specialties, and many others. 

Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill is situated at an elevation of 2590 meters and approximately 13 kilometers from Darjeeling. The place of interest is widely recognised for its spectacular sunrise views, which show the peaks of Mount Kanchenjunga illuminated before the sun shines at the lower elevations. This is one of the most popular places in Darjeeling.

What are the main attractions of Tiger Hill?

Tiger Hill is without any doubt among the most popular tourist destinations in Darjeeling due to its breathtaking dawn views of Mount Kanchenjunga. The majestic vista of snow-capped mountains nestled in clouds draws visitors from all across the country to Tiger Hill.

You will be able to admire the first rays of the sun falling on Kangchenjunga’s twin summits, turning them pale orange, and enjoy the panoramic view of Everest visible through the peaks.

Additionally, it is the summit of the highest railway station in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Ghoom. This is absolutely one of the must-visit places in Darjeeling.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, popularly known by the name DHR or the Toy Train, is a 2 ft narrow gauge railway in the state of West Bengal that operates between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.

A ride on the Darjeeling Toy Train offers stunning panoramas of the mountains while passing through villages and small stores. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 2, 1999. This is among the best places to visit in Darjeeling.

What are the main attractions of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway?

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway travels between Darjeeling and Siliguri, through Ghum, and between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. The amazing scenic beauty it provides makes it one of the top 10 places to visit in Darjeeling.

The journey starts from Darjeeling station and proceeds to Ghum, where travelers can explore the DHR Museum for 25 minutes. On its journey back, the train makes a brief halt at Batasia Loop, where passengers get to take in the incredible vistas of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Darjeeling town just before arriving at Darjeeling.

Batasia Loop and War Memorial

The Darjeeling Toy Train travels from Siliguri to Darjeeling passing the Batasia Loop and the War Memorial. This tourist destination is located approximately 5 km in advance of Darjeeling city and halfway between Ghoom and Darjeeling.

What are the main attractions of Batasia Loop and War Memorial?

Batasia Loop draws tourists for its gorgeous vistas of Mount Kanchenjunga alongside other snow-capped Himalayan peaks, as well as to witness the incredible architectural wonder of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, where the train track meets a circle and drops slowly.

The War Memorial is situated in the heart of the Batasia Loop. This memorial was built to honour the courageous Gorkha Soldiers who bravely gave their lives to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty since independence. Locals assemble here to sell handicrafts and woolen products to travelers.

Peace Pagoda

The Darjeeling Peace Pagoda serves as a focal point for people of every race and religious belief, to help them unite in the pursuit of world peace. It is situated in West Bengal’s Darjeeling town.

Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Nipponzan-Myhji Buddhist Order as well, established the structure.

What are the main attractions of Peace Pagoda?

The Darjeeling Peace Pagoda holds statues of the four avatars of Lord Buddha, including Maitreya Buddha, and it was designed to bring together people of various races and castes in search of world peace. It is famous for its tranquility.

This iconic landmark offers stunning views of snow-clad peaks, including the Kanchenjunga peak, making it an ideal place for peace and for those who love nature. Hence, making the Peace Pagoda one of the most famous travel spots in Darjeeling.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park in Darjeeling is a magnificent enclosure that houses a diverse range of animals. This is a perfect place for animals of every breed and an immense attraction for people who love animals and nature lovers. It is additionally referred to as Darjeeling Zoo.

The zoo is renowned worldwide for its breeding and conservation programmes, while it also has an off-display breeding facility for snow leopards and red pandas as well.

What are the main attractions of Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park?

The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park houses many rarely-seen species, including the Himalayan Wolf, barking deer, Himalayan Monal, leopards, yellow and blue Macaws, Red Panda, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic black bear, and numerous other species. This is what makes it one of the top travel destinations in Darjeeling.

This zoo practices breeding species adapted to alpine circumstances and has successful captive breeding programs for the snow leopard, the severely endangered Himalayan wolf, as well as the red panda.

Tea Gardens

Darjeeling is regarded as having some of the world’s top tea farms. The World Heritage Site of UNESCO has 87 Tea Gardens scattered over all seven valleys in the Darjeeling Hills.

It has acres of beautiful meadows that are also a great tourist draw. Every year, the Darjeeling Tea Estates yield millions of kilograms of tea. Additionally, Darjeeling has become one of the top-notch tea-producing estates in the country.

What are the main attractions of Tea Gardens?

The tea gardens are some of the well-known tourist places in Darjeeling. You can visit some of the best tea gardens here including Puttabong Tea Estate which is the oldest one in Darjeeling, Glenburn Tea Estate, Makaibari Tea Estate, Gopaldhara Tea Estate, Okayti Tea Estate, Happy Valley Tea Estate, etc.

Tourists can enjoy relaxing nature walks in the tea gardens, help workers pluck teas, explore the factories, and more.

Mahakal Temple

The Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling is a prominent and popular temple devoted to Lord Shiva. Lama Dorjey Rinzing constructed the Temple, which stands atop Darjeeling’s Observatory Hill.

The temple brings together Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. It is a rare religious spot where two different religions reside together in balance.

What are the main attractions of Mahakal Temple?

The Mahakal Mandir is a popular tourist destination because it illustrates the harmonious coexistence of two distinct religions. You will notice Hindu priests and Buddhist monks reciting prayers and reading their sacred scriptures while exploring the temple.

It is a must-see place because of the amazing alignment between both religions. People can additionally rest and enjoy the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga that the location provides.

Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center

Darjeeling’s Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre is a rehabilitation institute for Tibetan refugees living in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill area.

It was founded when they escaped from Tibet following the Dalai Lama. The major activity of the place is the creation of Tibetan handicrafts.

What are the main attractions of the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center?

The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre now has a retirement home, a clinic, an orphanage, a gompa, a school, and a craft workspace where students learn how to make carpets, leatherwork, woodcarvings, and woollens.

Tourists can purchase these goods at the center’s retail section. Visitors can additionally explore a fascinating photography gallery depicting the center’s creation and services.

Darjeeling Ropeway

The Darjeeling Ropeway, first opened in 1968, is the nation’s first cable car mechanism, built to serve the tea estates in the valleys that lacked easy access.

Nowadays, it is a sought-after tourist destination, bringing thousands of visitors every year to take in the splendour of Darjeeling’s surroundings.

What are the main attractions of Darjeeling Ropeway?

The Darjeeling Ropeway is an iconic attraction in Darjeeling, providing travelers with a variety of beautiful breathtaking views while they traverse through the gorgeous valley.

It transports people at a height of 7000 feet from Singamari’s North Point to Singla Bazaar, which is located on the banks of the gorgeous Ramman River.

Conclusion

Darjeeling’s attractive beauty consists of undulating hills scattered with brilliant green tea gardens and a background of snow-capped peaks. The region’s distinctive physical characteristics have contributed to its particular biodiversity, which makes it a refuge for people who love nature and wildlife lovers. The best month to visit Darjeeling falls between March to May or September to November.

The above-mentioned are just some of the most beautiful places in Darjeeling but there are plenty more. Thus, do not forget to include these places for your next trip to Darjeeling.

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