Darjeeling is a wonderful hill station located in the West Bengal state of India. Due to its cool and invigorating climate, it is a perfect summer spot in the hills to escape the scorching summer heat of the plains and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of the Hills’.
It is one of the most desired holiday destinations in India, nestled in the lap of rolling mountains with the lustrous Mount Kanchenjunga towering over the city. Darjeeling offers a wide variety of activities, from pleasant scenic drives to more adventurous pursuits such as trekking and rafting. Its relevance with three international borders makes it very important.
For foreign tourists, the main attractions are the cultural diversity, the beautiful views, the variety of trekking options and the opportunity to refresh yourself after a passage through the plains. Darjeeling also serves as a music hub and a niche for musicians and music fans.
Darjeeling is world famous for its tea gardens and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) or Toy Train. The Toy Train is an outstanding example of a mountain passenger train and has been inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites.
There are many places of tourist interest in Darjeeling. One of Darjeeling’s main attractions is Ghoom, dominated by the renowned Yiga Choeling Monastery. The Natural History Museum has an excellent collection of Himalayan animals, reptiles, birds and insects. At Lloyd Botanical Gardens, tourists can enjoy the captivating collection of Himalayan flowers, plants and orchids.
Padamja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the only center in India for breeding the rare snow leopard. Ussurian tigers and Himalayan black bears are also among its attractions. Not to be missed is riding the Darjeeling-Rangit Valley Cable Car. It is the longest cable car ride in Asia offering breathtaking views.
It is also worth visiting the many tea gardens in and around Darjeeling. One can see the manufacturing process of Darjeeling tea. The Mall located in the heart of the city serves as an important meeting point for all tourists. One of the most visited places in Darjeeling is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Apart from these, Tiger Hill, Observatory Hill, Dhirdham Temple, Batasia Loop and War Memorial, Aloobaari Monastery, Bhutia Bustee Monastery, Japanese Peace Pagoda and Ava Art Gallery are other sites worth visiting.
An early morning visit to Tiger Hill offers a panoramic view of sunrise over the Himalayas, especially Mount Kanchenjunga. A fun ride on the toy train that covers a distance of about 88 km between New Jalpaiguri Station and Darjeeling offers an amazing journey.
A ten-day Darjeeling Carnival takes place every year in Darjeeling during the winters and features the musical and cultural heritage of Darjeeling Hill as its central theme.
Altogether, a trip to Darjeeling is very enjoyable. It is truly a magnificent tourist destination to explore.
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