Darjeeling : The 4 Must Do Things

Darjeeling in West Bengal is easily one of the best hill stations in India. Located at a height of 2,042 meters above sea level, the town lies in the lap of Eastern Himalayas. Nestled between snow-clad mountain peaks and lush green tea-covered slopes, Darjeeling offers some beautiful panoramic views. The hill station also offers some gorgeous views of the Kanchenjunga. The best hotels in Darjeeling provide rooms with an enchanting view of the Kanchenjunga from your window.

Thanks to the high altitude, Darjeeling enjoys a cool and pleasant climate. The hill station always sees a steady rush of tourists at all times of the year. Tourism plays a vital role in the region’s economy. There are hotels and resorts, home stays, bungalows and guest houses available for the tourists to stay. Most of the best hotels in Darjeeling are enclosed by tea plantations on all sides. Guests can enjoy the pleasant views of snowy peaks and lush tea gardens right from their windows. 

Primarily known for its tea cultivation, Darjeeling also boasts of some popular tourist attractions. Here are a few sights you just cannot miss.

Toy Train Ride 

The Toy Train in Darjeeling is one of the major highlights of this hill station. Officially known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, this narrow gauge railway line covers a distance of 88 km running between New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. This heritage rail route is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train starts from a height of about 328 feet at New Jalpaiguri and climbs up to an altitude of 7,218 feet at Darjeeling. As the train travels through the twists and turns of these picturesque hills, passengers can witness some beautiful views.

The old Ghoom Monastery is the oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Darjeeling. It was built in 1850 and is officially known as the Yiga Choeling Monastery. It belongs to the Yellow Hat sect or the Gelukpa. The monastery features a 15 feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha that is made entirely of clay brought from Tibet. There are also many rare Buddhist scriptures and manuscripts kept here.

Located about 25 km away from Darjeeling, Tiger Hill is known for the majestic view of the entire Kanchenjunga range from here. To see the snow-clad peaks bathed in the golden light of sunrise, one needs to start before dawn. The best hotels in Darjeeling provide car rentals to reach the spot on time. As the sun rises from behind the mountains, the sky turns into a bright canvas of reds and oranges. On clear sky days, one can also view the Mt. Everest.

Darjeeling Tea is considered to be one of the finest blends of tea in the world. Commercial tea production was introduced in the region by the British during the early 1800s. There are many tea estates here today which date back to around 100 years. The tea gardens of Darjeeling hold a special place in the hearts of many people. Some of the best hotels in Darjeeling are located close to sprawling tea estates. Guests can take a stroll down these tea gardens and enjoy the scenic views. The tea gardens of Darjeeling add a special charm to the picturesque beauty of this hill station.

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