Sikkim
& Darjeeling Travel —» Darjeeling
Travel Guide —»
Places of Interest in Darjeeling
Places of Interest in Darjeeling
Entering Darjeeling is like travelling back in time to the days of the British
Raj, a vertical Victorian London - like town populated with oriental faces.
Church spires and brick chimneys dominate the skyline.
Dhoom Gompa, Darjeeling
About 8 kms from Darjeeling is the Dhoom Gompa. Here a very beautiful statue
of the Maitrayie Buddha is established. The Monastery has also preserved some
of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.
The
Mall:
The Mall is Darjeeling's popular commercial street. It is lined with Tibetans
selling hand-knitted sweaters and souvenir shops chock-full of Himalayan artifacts
and both real and imitation antiques. Photo shops carry turn-of-the-century
photos as well as specialising in hand-painted black and white prints with
glowing oil colours. The Mall leads to Chaurasta, a square, which doubles
as a bandstand, a pony riding arena for children and a haven for lovers.
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. Here hotels, restaurants and shops brush against each other. The
shops and stalls are a veritable paradise for souvenir collectors. The Bhutanese
sellers display their wares. Woollen garments, tribal ornaments, Thankas, rosaries,
brass statuettes and Gorkha daggers are kept on display for sale. Foreign goods
are also available in some shops. Local handicrafts are much in demand.
Obeservatory 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.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute:
A spot not to be missed is the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute 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. A zoological garden nearby has an assortment of wildlife such
as yaks, Siberian tigers and red pandas who call the region their home.
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.
Nearby Attractions from Darjeeling
Tibetan Refuge Camp:
The area in and around Darjeeling is a treasure chest of interesting destinations.
The Tibetan Refugee self-help scheme produces traditional artifacts, jewellery
and carpets for tourist consumption.
Lloyd's Botanical Garden:
Lloyd's Botanical Garden displays a fine collection of Himalayan fauna for
those with an interest, and for punters there is horseracing at Lebong, the
smallest and highest racecourse in the world.
Tiger
Hill:
Situated at an altitude of 2,590m (8,482 ft.) and 13-km from the town, this
spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise
over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even
Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here.
Phalut & Sandakphu:
A week's smallest-trip of Phalut and Sandakphu will get one within reach of
the high peaks; for the onlooker it affords a more spectacular panorama than
at Tiger Hill. Giant flowering Rhododendron trees, a pointillism of reds pinks
and whites Dwarfs comprise of the en route trail. On attaining heights of
over 3,048m, one is surrounded by skeletal trees devoid of leaves and branches,
which are especially eerie when the clouds roll in and envelop the area.
Pashupati:
Further afield, in Pashupati on the Nepal border, one can purchase foreign
goods at reasonable prices, view wildlife such as the endangered one-horned
Rhino, Deer, Gaur, and wild boar while seated atop an Elephant's back at Jaldapara
Game Park; learn of the Lepcha legend at the confluence of the Teesta and
Ranjeet Rivers; relive Kalimpong's past glory as a trading post by visiting
the market filled with traditional Tibetan medicine, spices, musk, wool and
silk; or for the truly adventurous-hire some ponies and a crew and take to
the hills.
Kurseong:
Kurseong is mid-way between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The way from Darjeeling
to Kurseong is generally open through out the year. So, the toy train is not
coming to Siliguri then one can come up to Kurseong. This place is equally
beautiful and is full of natural splendour.
Mirik:
Mirik is 52-km from Siliguri and 55-km from the nearest Airfield of Bagdogra.
Mirik is being developed as a new hill station in the mountains. Tea estates,
orange orchards and cardamom plantations surround Mirik. It has all the facilities
to fulfill the needs of a tourist.
Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri:
The twin Cities of Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are the departure point to
Darjeeling, Sikkim and the North Eastern States. Being the nodal point this
place has become very busy and crowded. Siliguri also acts as a transit point
for Nepal. Tourists come to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri mainly to change bus
or catch trains.
Kalimpong:
Kalimpong is within Darjeeling province and is a sub-division of Darjeeling.
It is a small but bustling town in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal -
Kalimpong is at an altitude of 1,250m. This bazaar town was originally a part
of Bhutan but later it was taken over by the British and finally it settled
down with West Bengal.
Batasia Loop, Darjeeling
This railway loop is an interesting example of engineering. At this loop the
toy train takes a very unique turn. This loop is just five kilometer from
the main town of Darjeeling. This place also has a very good market where
you can buy the purses, bags and other decorative items made by the local
women at very reasonable price.
Happy Valley Estate, Darjeeling
We all start our day with tea but we seldom know how the tea is processed.
Here one can watch the tea from the gardens being processed. One can spent
a few hours here. Entry is only allowed to persons who have permission from
any officer of the estate.
Natural History Museum, Darjeeling
A great place to be at, for all those who have great interest in knowing about
the history.The museum has a collection of over 4300 specimen . Established
in 1903, this natural history museum packs in its folds a rich collection
of fauna found in the Himalayas and in Bengal. Among the attractions are included
the estuarine crocodiles. This unique museum also has a good collection of
butterflies. The mineral forms of various stones are displayed in a very attractive
manner in the museum.
Kanchenjunga View, Darjeeling
From Darjeeling one can have the best, uninterrupted view of the worlds third
highest peak. Bhan Bhakta Sarani provides one of the enthralling views of
these snow capped peaks. The Chowrasta also gives you a good sight to the
Kanchenjunga peak.
Darjeeling Zoological Gardens
The zoo is situated two kms form the main town. This zoological garden of Darjeeling
houses some of the rare species of animals and birds. This is the only zoo in
India having the Siberian Tigers. Apart from these the rare Red Panda is also
there. The Snow Leopards, Great Grey Birds, Snow Yaks are some the animals which
are attracting tourist in great numbers.
Observatory Hills, Darjeeling
This point provides one of the breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga peaks. This
place is also very sacred for the Hindus and the Buddhists as there are temples
and monasteries at this place. The Kali temple is decorated with the colorful
flags. Be aware of the monkey groups as some them are very aggressive.
Botanical Gardens, Darjeeling
This place is worth a visit for its exotic and exclusive collection of a variety
of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids. This place is near the Darjeeling
taxi stand. The gardens also has a green house.
Monasteries in Darjeeling
Monasteries
in around Darjeeling generate tremendous interest among visitors, be it in the
form of architectural extravagance or the spiritual message embodied in them.
Bhutia Busty Monasteries, Darjeeling
Founded in 1879, this monastery follows the Vajrayana school of both Kargyud
and Nijingmapa order, known as red hat.
Samten Choling Monasteries, Darjeeling
This Monasteries belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Vajrayana Buddhism, also known
as the yellow hat. This is the seat of ven. Dromo Geshe rinpoche, the second.
A 26 ft. tall stupa has been built recently in memory of Lama Anagarika Govinda,
a great scholar from Germany well known for his book on Buddhism.
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