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Darjeeling Information
Darjeeling is the most important and the organized hill resort in Eastern India which lies 686 kms from Calcutta at a height of 2134 meters with a backdrop of the mighty snow clad Himalayan Peaks.
Darjeeling, called the 'dream land of the East' and the 'queens of hill stations' , has been a popular hill station since the times of the British. Due to its proximity with three international borders, those of India-Nepal and India-Bhutan, this place is strategically very important.
The mighty Kanchenjunga peak overlooks the town from where one can get a clear view of the peak on a sunny day.
What To See
Tiger Hill
The highest spot in the area at 2590m, Tiger Hill is near Ghoom, about 11km from Darjeeling. The hill is famous for its magnificent dawn views over Kanchenjunga and other eastern Himalayan peaks. On a clear day even Mount Everest is visible About 11 kms from Darjeeling is at an altitude of 2,555 mts and provides a fine view of the mighty Everest and Kanchenjunga peaks.
Ghoom
It is more correctly known as Yogachoeling Gompa, this is probably the most famous monastery in Darjeeling and is about 8 km south of town, just below Hill Cart road and the train station near Ghoom. It enshrines an image of the Maitreya Buddha. Foreigners are allowed to enter the shrine and take photographs. As Ghoom is frequently swathed in mists, and the monastery is old and dark, it is often affectionately called Gloom monastery. It is the station close by, from where one can take the toy train back to Darjeeling.
The Senchal Lake
It is very close to Tiger Hill, which supplies Darjeeling with its domestic water. It's a particularly scenic area and popular as a picnic spot with Indian holiday-makers.
The Lebona Race Course
About 8 kms from the centre of the city and some 325 mts below the town, is one of the smallest and highest race course of the world. On BURCH HILL to the north stands the ‘Shrubbery' the residence of the Governor of West Bengal.
The Lloyd's Botanical Gardens
One of the oldest in the region, is just below the main Market Motor stand. It has rare collection of Himalayan flowers.
Bengal Natural History Museum
It was established in the year 1903, providing a comprehensive but dusty collection of Himalayan and Bengali fauna is packed into this interesting museum. Among the 4300 specimens is the estuarine crocodile, the animal responsible for the greatest loss of human life in Asia.
Zoological Park
The nearby Zoological Park specializes in high altitude wild life - Yaks, Himalayan Black Bears, Pandas and also Siberian Tiger.
Happy Valley
The tea estate of Happy Valley is one of the best in Darjeeling.
The Darjeeling Ranjeet Valley
passenger ropeway is 8 kms at the North point, about 3 kms from the town. The ropeway connects Darjeeling to Singla Bazar on the Ranjeet river at the bottom of the valley.
Source: India Tourism Official Website |
