Top 5 places to visit in Darjeeling
Introduction
Darjeeling is the dream place for all tourists and locals in West Bengal. Darjeeling is famous for tea gardens, magnificent views of the Himalayas, Kanchenjunga peak, beautiful valleys, trekking to high altitudes keep during its keep, during It’s Kanchenjunga mountain during It’sKanchenjunga mountain and famous toy trains. The history of Darjeeling is intertwined with that of Sikkim, Nepal, British India, and Bhutan.
Until the early 19th century, the hilly area around Darjeeling was controlled by the Kingdom of Sikkim with the settlement consisting of a few villages of the Lepcha, and Kirati people. Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and also the headquarters of the district. It is located at an elevation of 2,000 m in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region on the Darjeeling-Jalapahar range that originates in the south of Ghum.
The heavy and concentrated rainfall that is experienced in the region, aggravated by deforestation, often causes devastating landslides, leading to loss of life and property. Darjeeling is the definitive Indian hill station and, for many, West Bengal’s premier destinations. Darjeeling is a tourist attractive place where people love to visit once a year during their vacation. There are many such places to visit in Darjeeling… Here are some of the following details given in the article to go around Darjeeling:-
Top 5 places in Darjeeling
1) Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
This Zoological garden is awesome. Here you have to purchase a ticket for entering this zoological garden. Per person ticket cost is 20 rupees. If you are traveling to Darjeeling then this will be a must option for you. You will love to visit this place full of greenery with animals. Here you can see Black Panther, Royal Bengal Tiger.
Mountaineering club is also here where you will get a vast experience of a Himalayan expedition. It is one of the best and famous tourist spots in Darjeeling. It’s a high-altitude zoo. This zoo is so well maintained and so clean. Some special animals you will find there like Red Panda, Black Panther, Royal Bengal Tiger, Black Beer, wolf, Yaks, Deer, Snow Leopard, etc. There is also a Mountaineering Institute.
The best zoo you will ever visit in a hilly area. Filled with different types of animals including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Panthers, and wolves. The Snow Leopard and the Black Jaguar will surely give you chills with their cold, piercing looks. See the Royal Bengal Tiger taking a majestic stroll from one corner of the enclosure to the other.
The Himalayan Black Bears will give you company. And last but not the least, the cacophony of the birdcage is something you might have never heard before. Some bears play with a ball, but it’s very moody. It has a museum depicting the mountaineering history, equipment, and culture. It also has a training center for climbers.
As obvious, natural fauna & flora around adds to the beauty and keeps photographers busy. My personal favorite was the red panda, also my first sight of a Panda. You will be thrilled if you love mountain trekking. The museum will give you goosebumps for sure. Apart from that, the zoo is a very nice spot to hang out with friends and families. If you visit Darjeeling zoo is a must-come spot for you.
If you want to explore the whole zoo including the museum it can take nearly 2.30 hours. Although the park is not that big it is very neatly maintained and social distancing norms are followed correctly. The main attraction for this park is the red pandas and the black cheetah. Also the Himalayan mountaineering institute is situated on the same premises.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (also called the Darjeeling Zoo) is a 67.56-acre (27.3 ha) zoo in the town of Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. The zoo was opened in 1958, and with an average elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m), is the largest high altitude zoo in India. It specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions and has successful captive breeding programs for the snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan wolf, and the red panda.
The zoo attracts about 300,000 visitors every year. The park is named after Padmaja Naidu (1900–1975), the daughter of Sarojini Naidu. The zoo serves as the central hub for the Central Zoo Authority of India’s red panda program and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. There is also a Himalayan mountaineering Institute museum inside this park… And it is a very informative museum… You will get all the information and knowledge about the various expeditions carried on different mountain ranges of the world and what all things they carried along with them to survive in such harsh conditions.
The zoo attracts about 300,000 visitors every year. The park is named after Padmaja Naidu. The Zoo Contains various animals like leopards, bears, parrots, peacocks, and many more. They are kept comfortable in enough space. One of the best zoos ever, Many people visit per day, don’t miss it if you are in Darjeeling.
At the zoo, there are some exhibitions you can see and you want to wear the costumes of their culture, mostly you see in tea gardening so there are also photographers available who want instant photos. overall a very nice place to spend quality time among the various species and nature as well. Location – Darjeeling, Jorethang road, near birch hill resort, Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling.
2) Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling
This is a wonderful Japanese temple located at a 10 minutes driving distance from the Darjeeling town center. The temple is also known as the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple. The two-storied white building was built in a traditional Japanese style in the year 1972. It is a beautiful place full of tall trees and mountains surrounding it.
Close to the temple is the Peace Pagoda that showcases four avatars of Lord Buddha. From the top of the Pagoda, you get a panoramic view of the Darjeeling landscape including the Kanchenjunga range. The best time to visit it is in the morning by about 8.00 AM when there are few people around. The entire atmosphere was very peaceful and the surrounding greenery gave an ethereal look to the Pagoda.
You can pray and go around the Pagoda a couple of times and leave feeling very calm and invigorated. The Peace Pagoda is a beautiful place to spend some time. It also depicts the life of Buddha in various journeys of his life. The Japanese temple and the Pagoda are in the same compound. The place is well maintained and clean and I hope all tourists also ensure it is kept this way.
There is ample parking available in the compound and the view of the Kanchenjunga is beautiful from the Pagoda. Washroom facilities are available. Physically challenged people will find it difficult to enter the Pagoda as it has only staircases. A very beautiful place and a must-visit while at Darjeeling. It is currently open even though most of the monasteries are closed to the public in and around Sikkim and West Bengal. Many of these were built post-world war -II under the guidance of the Japanese Buddhist Monk Nichitastu Fujii who was greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
There are almost eighty such peace pagodas built around the world. Construction of this peace pagoda at Darjeeling was started in 1972 and was dedicated in 1992. On the walls of this pagoda, the important phases of Lord Buddha’s life are shown in the wooden carvings and images. The stupa also depicts the 4 life stages of Buddha with statues and carvings on the painting. Showcasing the classic Japanese style of architecture, this resplendent white building offers visitors a serene and quiet sanctum where they can meditate and seek inner peace.
It is a beautifully sculptured stupa, also known as the Japanese Peace Pagoda. The pagoda has beautiful gold-plated sculptures of the Buddha in various postures and murals depicting some of the events in his life. The surroundings were very serene and peaceful, with tall pine trees and rhododendron bushes just beginning to flower, and with the majestic Kanchenjunga mountains as the backdrop.
There are two temples… One Peace Pagoda & another Japanese Temple… One has to climb lots of stairs to reach the top of Pagoda & from there the view of Darjeeling is wonderful. At the top of the pagoda, there are four avatars of Lord Buddha….. Sitting Buddha, Sleeping Buddha, Standing Buddha & Meditating Buddha. In White Pagoda, Golden Lord Buddha avatars look Superb. In a Japanese Temple, a few steps below the pagoda one can meditate. The place symbolizes… Peace & Harmony. Must-Visit. Location – West Point, Darjeeling.
3) Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway
The views are stunning… Especially if you’re lucky and it happens to be a clear day… Then you will be able to see a great view of the hills and the stunning mountain Kanchenjunga! And how can one forget the views of the lush green tea gardens below? Go as early as you can VS counter opening time. 200 INR / person. The average wait time in the queue is around 90 minutes. They have 4 to 6 cable cars running. The in-air time is around 20 minutes.
One of the highlights of Darjeeling is ROPE WAY. It’s worth going for a ride but be prepared to spend a minimum of 3 hrs as one has to stand in line for 2 hrs and then 45 mins ride. But anyway it’s worth spending time having an enjoyable ride with the most spectacular view. Tickets are reasonable. Adult ₹200 & Child ₹100. There you will get some good snacks such as momo, Waiwai, Maggi, etc.
If you are coming to travel to Darjeeling you should try this ropeway, you will love it. It was initially set up to cater to the tea gardens at the valleys below which did not otherwise have easy access. Starting with just one cable car, now it was upgraded to 16 cable cars each having a capacity of six persons. It was closed in 2003 after four tourists died when the cable broke causing two cars to fall down the hill. Later it was reopened with many safety measures in 2012.
From an elevation of 7000 feet in Darjeeling’s North Point, this ropeway descends to 800 feet at Singla. Stopping at Tukver, Barnesbeg and Singla tea estates. Although you have to wait in line for some time, it’s worth it when you will get a beautiful view of the tea garden from the cable car. The price for the ride is average. While going downwards with 5 other people accompanying you in the cable car you may feel insecure but trust me nothing worse will not happen. After reaching the down part you can enjoy light food and drinks too.
Darjeeling Ropeway is located in Singamari, just opposite North Point School, Darjeeling. It is a tourist destination in the town. Darjeeling Ropeway consists of sixteen cars. Not many people are aware of the fact that Darjeeling Ropeway is one of Asia’s longest Passenger Ropeways and also the first Passenger Ropeway in India.
The Ropeway was started in the year 1968 by the Forest Development Corporation of West Bengal and was initially set up to cater to the tea gardens at the valleys below which did not otherwise have easy access. Good thing is that there is no set time limit on the ropeway, you can take break journeys, hop on and off the cable cars without having to bother about coming back to Darjeeling at a fixed time.
Of course, you will need to return before the ropeway operation closes for the day. Don’t miss to enjoy the ride while you are in Darjeeling, the queen of the hills. Location- Singamari, Darjeeling.
4) Observatory Hill viewpoint
Off the beaten path of tourists lies this curving road with viewpoints and neat places to sit and watch the clouds drift over the mountains. Is a hangout spot for the young locals but is so worth taking a walk along here. It’s a very serene place where you can take a walk in the presence of the amazing natural beauty of the various mountain ranges and tea valleys.
The viewpoint walk is a vehicle-free zone and to experience the cleanest air possible in India…It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Darjeeling as it offers a panoramic view of the mountains along with the presence of various Hindu and Buddhist temples including Kanchenjunga Temple, Mahakal temple, and Tibetan Memorial Shrine. This entire level circuit passes scores of clothing vendors, diverting to the Hilltop Temple, passing through a vast cypress grove with views over the tea valley to the 2 major viewpoint rest areas.
Here are the places to sit and contemplate the 30 km + view to the snow-covered Himalayan range reigning over a huge forested valley of small villages and farming terraces. The tourist attraction is mainly visited by adventure seekers who want to enjoy a mesmerizing view of the mountains after trekking along with people having religious beliefs. It can take around 15 minutes for tourists to visit Observatory Hill from the Mall Road and in the narrow and steep uphill path, tourists have to go through a small cave which is revered by temples.
The entire walk is filled with colorful flags and small yet noticeable shrines with the peaceful full sound of devotional belts. It is recommended for older people to take some rest on side benches while trekking to the tourist attraction as it can be extremely tiring. Good view of the range. Hotels located at this place are 1) The Hermitage 2) dolphin hotel 3)nirvana etc…all these have excellent Kanchenjunga view rooms. This viewpoint offers a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains including Mount Kanchenjunga.
You can spot Lebong from here. The place is also a jogger’s paradise! You could find locals exercising, stretching their bodies in the morning.The Mahakal Temple or Mahakal Mandir.The master of Kaal [time]) is a sacred Hindu temple located in Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, India dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Shiva, the third god in the Hindu triumvirate.
The second viewpoint is very nice. But Kanchenjunga is partly seen from here. From the third viewpoint, the full range of Kanchenjunga is seen from here. After that, there is the Governor’s house of the state of West Bengal. From there the mall road turns left towards Bhanu Bhakta Bhawan. After crossing it you will meet the Mall again. Actually, it’s a circular road.
During sunrise and in the afternoon u can see beautiful snow-capped Kanchenjunga from the observatory hills viewpoint. The Temple was built in 1782 by Lama Dorjey Rinzing and is perched atop the Observatory Hill in Darjeeling and is an amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist religions.
One of the main attractions in the town of Darjeeling, this is also a place for worship for both Hindus and Buddhists, it’s a temple complex of various Hindu deities, the main temple is of Lord Shiva, the temple popularly known as Mahakal Mandir. The unusual thing you shall witness in the main temple is you shall find a Hindu Brahmin as well as a Buddhist Monk performing the daily pujas.
It is a unique religious site where both religions coexist harmoniously. The lofty Himalayas and clouds together seem like pure heaven on earth at this place.. you can observe the lofty Mt. Kanchenjungha from here, which is the world’s 3 highest peaks, really loved this place.
Right now Under construction Dack has a nice view of the Kanchenjungamountain range and sunrise point… Road passing through the wildlife century park… Most attractive place for tourists… Go early and get a better place to sit… Cost of ticket 20 rs per person…must visit… Location- 27×8+XC2, Naya Basti, Darjeeling.
5) Happy Valley Tea Estate
Happy Valley Tea Estate is a beautiful place to visit when you’re in Darjeeling. The tea estate is huge and has a beautiful landscape with tea plantations all around. They also offer a tour of their factory to show the tea-making process that ends with tea tasting of some of their products. You can also purchase them from their counters and also buy souvenirs.
The tea estate is also open to the public and you can visit the plantation and see how the tea plantation is done. The factory was not in production as harvesting had not started yet for the year. That too the autumn flush. And it was divine. Beautiful Tea Garden in Darjeeling, it is the second oldest tea estate spreading over a large area. This tea estate is near Chowk Bazaar.
The tea garden mind’s… food, looks amazing covered with tea plants. While visiting the garden one can see garden employees plucking tea leaves. There is also a Happy Valley Tea factory where the visitor can experience the whole processing of Tea from plucked fresh tea leaves to packed in a box. Even they sell tea in different ranges according to the quality of the tea.
Also described different types of tea with aroma. Especially white, black, and green tea. Also, they have a small tea shop. The amazing thing is this tour was free, not no cost had to be paid. If anyone wants to see the tea process directly, Established in 1854, it is Darjeeling’s second oldest tea estate. Spread over 177 hectares (440 acres), it is situated at a height of 2,100 meters (6,900 ft) above sea level, 3 kilomeTer is the second oldest tea estate of Darjeeling (after Steinthal Tea Estate, which was established in 1852), and, at a height of 2,100 meters (6,900 ft), is also one of the highest tea factories in the world.
David Wilson, an Englishman, had named the garden Wilson Tea Estate and by 1860 had started cultivation of tea. In 1903, the estate was taken over by an Indian, Tarapada Banerjee, an aristocrat from Hooghly. In 1929, Banerjee bought the Windsor Tea Estate nearby and merged the two estates under the name of Happy Valley Tea Estate. G.C. Banerjee was the next owner of Happy Valley Tea Estate.
At Happy Valley respect for nature is expressed through the organic and bio-dynamic methods of farming. Happy Valley invites you to immerse yourself in the culture, history, and tradition of the region by witnessing the process by which fresh tea leaves are withered, rolled, fermented, dried, sorted, and graded to produce a variety of teas; the traditional black tea, green tea, and the exquisite specialty teas.
A guided tour of the Happy Valley tea factory offers visitors a glimpse of the fascinating process of manufacturing tea. The tea tasting session, curated for first-timers, is conducted at the end of the tour, where one can discover the legendary flavor of Happy Valley organic Darjeeling teas. Darjeeling charges way too much just in the name of being “high end”.
The tea factory tour + tea tasting at Happy Valley costs 100 rupees per person. This is more than a 100-year-old tea estate it is more than 150 years old. The teas are so fresh! The taste is mild and delicious. Do visit. Location – Lebong cart Road, Chowk Bazar, near Darjeeling.
Conclusion
Lastly, I would like to conclude this article by motivating you to visit such places given above in the following details. Many more are there…For Sure you will fall in love with these mesmerizing places. You must visit these amazing places with your groups, families, friends, etc..to spend your quality of time and create some memories.
