Situated in the state of West Bengal, Darjeeling is one of the exotic holiday destinations in India. Famous for its sprawling tea estates and scenic landscape, this calm hill station is worth visiting. With equally mesmerizing neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan on its either sides, Darjeeling’s attractions is a great way to understand the local culture, history and absorb the beauty of the place. Let’s take a look at some of the most visited places in Darjeeling.
Lying in the lower Himalayas, Darjeeling was a significant trade route for the kingdom ruling the region of Sikkim. It was when the British came, Darjeeling was constituted as a part of India. The hill station was established as summer retreat by the British, where they grew tea on its slopes and controlled the trade route. After the British, the modern Darjeeling is a great mix of both Victorian styled churches as well as Buddhist monasteries. Surrounded with a mesmerizing view of the Himalayan peak, a tour of this enchanting hill station is worth taking. If you’re keeping the national capital as the base, you can find few Delhi to Darjeeling flight to reach the destination. Let’s find out which are the most visited locations in Darjeeling.
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – Perhaps the leading attraction in Darjeeling, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (abbreviated as DHR) is famously known as the ‘toy train’. If you’ve experienced similar ride in Shimla or Ooty, travelling in this narrow gauge rail route will be a fun thing to do. Running between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, the toy train service was started in during the late eighties and was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1999.
- Batasia Loop – A rail route made for the toy train, this looped track covers an area of more than 50,000 square feet, making numerous curves and turns around the hills, offering a 360 degree view of the hills. The loop also passes through tunnels and wildlife parks, appearing like a roller coaster ride. If you’ve kids accompanying you, this fun ride shouldn’t be missed at all.
- Singalila National Park – Perched at an altitude of more than two thousand meters above sea level, this wildlife park is one of the highest regions in the state. With a panoramic view to enjoy, the park is a bliss for trekkers who’d like to encounter wildlife as they move. Animals like panthers, bears, deers and few bird species are common sightings in the park.
- Happy Valley Tea Estate – With a sprawling area of more than 400 acres and an elevation of more than 2000 meters, the Happy Valley Tea Estate is one of the major tourist attractions in the hill station. With breath taking view of valley, you wouldn’t stop yourself from taking a selfie in the beautiful tea gardens.
- Neora Valley National Park – Another major tourist location, this wildlife park is spread across an area of more than eighty square kilometers and known for rich biological diversity in the region.
Established in 1986, the national park is known for its huge population of Red Pandas.
So, if you’re planning for a fun-filled, nature-hugging trip, these fantastic places to visit in Darjeeling will fulfill your wish.
