10 Most Popular Places to Visit in Darjeeling City, West Bengal

Are you planning to visit the charming town of Darjeeling in West Bengal? This town is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and is known for its scenic beauty, tea gardens, and panoramic views of the mountains. Here are the most popular places to visit in Darjeeling:

1. Observatory Hill

Observatory Hill is a sacred hill in Darjeeling and is known for its religious significance and panoramic view of the town.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

 Hill is considered to be a sacred site by both Hindus and Buddhists. It is believed that a Buddhist monastery was built on the hill in the 18th century, which was later replaced by a Hindu temple dedicated to Mahakala. The hill also offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and the town.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Observatory Hill is from March to May and from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can witness the religious rituals and ceremonies that take place on the hill.

How to Reach: Observatory Hill is located in the heart of Darjeeling town and can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a pleasant walk from the town.

Address: Observatory Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, which is located around 70 kilometers from Darjeeling town.  

2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Toy Train, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Darjeeling. The train runs from Darjeeling to Siliguri and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was built by the British in the late 19th century to transport tea from the hills to the plains. It is one of the few remaining narrow-gauge railways in India and is a remarkable feat of engineering. The train has also been featured in several Bollywood movies.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is from March to May and from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.

How to Reach: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has several stations in and around Darjeeling. You can board the train from Darjeeling station or take a joyride from Ghum station.

Address: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Hill Cart Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

Distance from Nearest Railway Station: 

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, which is located around 88 kilometers from Darjeeling.

Find Darjiling city info, videos, events and more. 

3. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. It is located at an altitude of 7,000 feet and is home to several rare and endangered species of animals, including the snow leopard, red panda, and Tibetan wolf.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

The zoo was established in 1958 and is named after Padmaja Naidu, the former governor of West Bengal. 

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is from March to May and from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can spot more animals as they come out of their shelters.

How to Reach: The zoo is located about 3 kilometers from Darjeeling town and can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a shared jeep. You can also take a pleasant walk to the zoo, which will take around 30-40 minutes.

Address: Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, which is located around 73 kilometers from the zoo.

4. Ghum Monastery

Ghum Monastery, also known as Yogachoeling Gompa, is one of the oldest and most famous monasteries in Darjeeling. It was built in 1850 and is located at an altitude of 8,000 feet.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

The Ghum Monastery is famous for its 15-feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha and ancient Tibetan manuscripts. It also has a museum that displays several artifacts related to Buddhism and the history of the monastery.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Ghum Monastery is from October to December and from February to April. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can witness the annual festival of Losar, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

How to Reach

The monastery is located about 7 kilometers from Darjeeling town and can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a shared jeep. You can also take a joyride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and get off at the Ghum station, which is located near the monastery.

Address

Ghum Monastery, Ghum, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, which is located around 70 kilometers from the monastery.

Find Travel service in Darjiling 

5. Batasia Loop

Batasia Loop is a famous engineering marvel and a popular tourist spot in Darjeeling. It is a spiral railway track that was built to overcome the steep gradient of the hill.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

The Batasia Loop was built in 1919 and is named after the village of Batasia, which is located nearby. The track is about 50 feet wide and offers a breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Batasia Loop is from October to December and from February to April. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can witness the changing colors of the sky during sunrise and sunset.

How to Reach

Batasia Loop is located about 5 kilometers from Darjeeling town and can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a shared jeep. You can also take a joyride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and get off at the Batasia Loop station.

Address

Batasia Loop, Ghum, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, which is located around 70 kilometers from Batasia Loop.

6. Happy Valley Tea Estate

Happy Valley Tea Estate is one of the most famous tea estates in Darjeeling. It is located about 3 kilometers from Darjeeling town and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

The Happy Valley Tea Estate was established in 1854 and covers an area of around 437 acres. It produces some of the best Darjeeling tea and is known for its unique flavor and aroma.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate is from March to May and from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and you can witness the tea plucking process and learn about the tea making process.

How to Reach: The tea estate is located about 3 kilometers from Darjeeling town and can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a shared jeep. You can also take a pleasant walk to the tea estate, which will take around 30-40 minutes.

Address: Happy Valley Tea Estate, Lebong Cart Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, which is located around 70 kilometers from the tea estate.

7. Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill is a popular tourist spot in Darjeeling and is famous for its breathtaking view of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga mountain range.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

Tiger Hill is located at an altitude of around 8,500 feet and was named after the tiger-like stripes that are visible on the hill. It is also famous for its panoramic view of Mount Everest and the entire Himalayan range.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Tiger Hill is from October to December and from February to April. During these months, the weather is clear, and you can witness the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga mountain range.

How to Reach: Tiger Hill is located about 11 kilometers from Darjeeling town and can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a shared jeep. You can also take a joyride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and get off at the Ghum station, which is located near Tiger Hill.

Address: Tiger Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734123

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri, which is located around 80 kilometers from Tiger Hill.

8. Darjeeling Ropeway

Darjeeling Ropeway is a popular tourist attraction that offers a stunning view of the city and the surrounding mountains. The ropeway connects Darjeeling to the town of Singla.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

Darjeeling Ropeway was built in 1968 and is one of the oldest ropeways in India. The ropeway is also known as the Rangeet Valley Cable Car and covers a distance of about 8 km.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Darjeeling Ropeway is between October to December when the sky is clear and offers a stunning view of the mountains.

How to Reach Here

Darjeeling Ropeway is located about 3 km from Darjeeling town. Visitors can take a taxi or hike to reach the ropeway.

Address

Darjeeling Ropeway, Singla Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station to Darjeeling Ropeway is Darjeeling Railway Station, which is located about 3 km away. 

9. Himalayan Mountaineering Institute 

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is a popular attraction for adventure enthusiasts and mountain climbers. The institute was established in 1954 to promote mountaineering as a sport and to train mountaineers.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was founded by Tenzing Norgay, the first person to climb Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary. The institute also houses a museum that showcases the history of mountaineering in the Himalayas.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is between March to May and September to November.

How to Reach Here

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is located about 2 km from Darjeeling town. Visitors can take a taxi or walk to reach the institute.

Address

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is Darjeeling Railway Station, which is located about 2 km away. 

 10. Peace Pagoda

The Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist temple and a symbol of peace and non-violence. The temple is located on a hilltop and offers a panoramic view of the city.

Historical Details and Interesting Facts

The Peace Pagoda was built in the 1970s by a Japanese Buddhist monk, Nichidatsu Fujii. The temple is one of the 80 Peace Pagodas around the world and is a popular destination for meditation and prayer.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Peace Pagoda is between October to December when the sky is clear and offers a stunning view of the mountains.

How to Reach Here

The Peace Pagoda is located about 2 km from Darjeeling town. Visitors can take a taxi or hike to reach the temple.

Address

Peace Pagoda, West Point, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

Distance from Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station to the Peace Pagoda is Darjeeling Railway Station, which is located about 2 km away. 

Conclusion

Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in West Bengal and is known for its scenic beauty, tea gardens, and cultural heritage. The places mentioned above are some of the most popular tourist spots in Darjeeling and offer a unique experience to the visitors. From the historical and religious significance of Observatory Hill to the breathtaking view of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga mountain range from Tiger Hill, each place has something special to offer.

If you are planning a trip to Darjeeling, make sure to visit these places and experience the beauty and charm of this hill station. And don't forget to try the famous Darjeeling tea!