| States of
India-West
Bengal-
Darjeeling |
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Introduction :
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There is nowhere quite a place like Darjeeling
"Queen of hills" which nature has chosen with care and blessed it with
beauty and lush greenery of the tea garden. It is far from the maddening
crowds of the metros. Straddling a ridge at 2134m and surrounded by a tea
plantations, Darjeeling has been a popular hill station since the British
established it as an R&R centre for their troops in mid-1800s. Like many
places in the Himalaya, half the fun is in getting there and Darjeeling
has the unique attraction of its famous toy train. This miniature train
loops and switchbacks its way up the steep mountainsides from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling.
There is no finer place than Darjeeling to steep yourself in the grandeur and
beauty of the towering snow-capped mountains. Its a fascinating place where you
can see Buddhist monasteries, visit a tea plantation and see how the tea is
processed, spend days for bargains in colorful markets and handicraft shops or
go trekking to high altitude spots near the border with Sikkim. |
| Area |
11.44 sq km |
| Altitude |
2134 mts |
| Temperature |
Summer : Max
14.89 °C, Min 8.59 °C.
Winter : Max 6.11 °C, Min 1.05
°C. |
| Languages |
English, Bengali, Gorkha, Nepali and
Tibetan |
| STD Code |
0354 |
| Rainfall |
320 cm |
| Best Time to Visit |
mid September to mid December
and resumes from mid March to mid June |
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How to get there :
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Air: The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 90 km away from Darjeeling.
Bagdogra is connected to important cities of the country by domestic
airlines.
Rail: New Jalpaiguri /Siliguri is the rail head for all trains,
except the toy train running to Darjeeling. Siliguri is connected to
Calcutta and other parts of the country by train.
Road: By road from Siliguri one can avail State buses or local taxi and even private cars.
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Places to Visit : |
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Ghoom Monasteries |
Kanchenjunga |
Bhutia Busty Gompa |
Tiger Hill |
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Tibetan Refugee Centre |
Observatory Hill |
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Excursion : |
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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary |
Mirik |
Kalimpong |
Gangtok |
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Shopping : |
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Darjeeling has been famous for its Tea with a
particular aroma. Throughout the world tea drinkers love having the special
Darjeeling tea. So, how can some one miss getting some Darjeeling tea if he
comes to this place. Packed small bags tea from this place make good souvenirs.
But avoid tea in tastefully decorated boxes as these are mostly blended tea from
Calcutta.
Apart from tea there are many items which Darjeeling offers in its shopping
malls. Tourists love taking home the curios and carpets from here. For gift
items and souvenirs from Darjeeling you may pick up Tibetan crafts like carpets,
wood and leather work. The Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center is one place where
you will get the best of items. The shops for
curios and carpets are on Chowrasta and Nehru road. These shops also sell
thangkas, brass statues, religious objects, jewellery, wood carvings, woven
fabrics and many other items from the Himalayan region. The Bronze items and
wooden carvings give you good value for your money. Thangkas are impressive at
the first sight but the require a closer look if you want to buy them. |
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Accommodations : |
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