Visit in Darjeeling
Darjeeling, a picturesque hill station nestled in the Lesser Himalayas of West Bengal, India, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, tea gardens, and rich cultural heritage. Here's a glimpse into what makes Darjeeling a captivating destination
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or Darjeeling Toy Train is the first attraction that you should experience. It’s one of the most popular things to do in India after all. This toy train runs from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and covers 88 km of scenic beauty and mesmerizing views. The highlight is that this is the second train in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 because it’s a marvel that such a small steam engine can travel up the mountains pulling the mini coaches along. Several movies, including a scene of the iconic Bollywood movie “Parineeta” were filmed in this train. In recent years, two more railway lines have been added, and they are now famous as the Mountain Railways of India. This attraction should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Darjeeling.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is one of the most magnificent viewpoints because it overlooks the Kanchenjunga Mountain. Watching the sunrise from here is a whole other feeling as you can see the mountain glowing even before the sun fully rises. You’ll have to trek to reach the top of this hill, but it’s absolutely worth it because of the captivating scene playing in front of you. The chilly weather, lush greenery, clear blue sky, and the glorious Kanchenjunga Mountains. It’s the perfect combination to turn this into a cherished memory. This hill is also the summit of Ghoom, the highest point of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It’s among the famous places to visit in Darjeeling for couples, so if you want your trip to be an iconic one, then you must visit this location.
Rock Garden
Rock Garden is a man-made garden with a bounty of scenic beauties, such as waterfalls, vibrant flora, and much more. It’s one of the most famous places to visit in Darjeeling in 1 day because it’s an ideal spot for relaxing, having a picnic, and spending quality time. You can watch the Chunnu Summer Fall, which is a natural fall surrounded by a variety of flora or you could sit by the serene stream flowing through the garden. There are also tea gardens around this place and a lake, which enhances its beauty even more. It’s one of the Darjeeling places to visit in December because it’ll allow you to take in the crisp air and cold surroundings. You’ll definitely get the suggestion of visiting the rock garden whenever you plan a trip to Darjeeling.
Singalila National Park
The Singalila National Park is the highest park in West Bengal at an altitude of 7000 ft. above sea level. The biodiversity in this national park would amaze you, from the exotic flora and rare species of animals to other breathtaking attractions, there’s a lot to look forward to here. The highlight, however, is the mesmerizing view of the Himalayan peak. Also, this is one of the parks that is home to the Red Panda and Himalayan Black Bear. It’s an ideal place for trekking as well because of the mountainous terrain, which is why visiting this place is one of the things to do in Darjeeling. You’ll come across Tigers, Clouded Leopards, Barking Deer, Yellow Throated Marten, Pangolin, etc. This park was named after the Singalila Spur that runs through this entire region from the Kanchenjunga Mountain. It’s among the best places to visit in Darjeeling.
Japanese Peace Pagoda
This Japanese Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling was established as a symbol of unity and harmony among different sects in the society. You’ll experience utmost peace and tranquility at this place with the views of the Kanchenjunga Mountain. The Peace Pagoda includes four avatars of Lord Buddha and is open to people of all religions. There are 30 similar structures around the world and one of them is in Darjeeling. It’s among the places to visit in India because of its symbolic meaning and the intention behind it. It’s also an amazing place for meditating in a quiet environment. Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese Buddhist Monk laid the foundation for this structure in 1972, and it has gained a lot of popularity since then.