Delightful Attractions of Darjeeling

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When we think of popular hill stations in India, the name Darjeeling comes up among the top destinations. Located on a height of 2,042 meters above sea level, this charming hill town lies in the lesser Himalayan ranges. Nestled somewhere between floating clouds and little tea bushes, Darjeeling has some amazing panoramic views. The snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas make up the scenic backdrop for this town.

Every year, the hill station of Darjeeling welcomes lakhs of tourists. A major part of the economy in this region is dependent on tourism. There are many Darjeeling luxury resorts, five-star hotels, tourist bungalows, guest houses and ordinary hotels which cater to all kinds of tourists with varying budgets. It is advisable to choose a hotel or resort that is centrally located, somewhere close to Mall Road.

The major tourist attractions of Darjeeling are:

Toy Train Ride

The Toy Train of Darjeeling, officially known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, is quite famous among the tourists. It is narrow gauge railway line that covers a distance of 88 kilometers, running between New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling every day. This heritage rail route is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train starts from a height of about 328 feet at New Jalpaiguri and climbs up to an altitude of 7,218 feet at Darjeeling. As the train moves swiftly along the twists and turns of the mountains, passengers get a chance to witness beautiful scenic views.

Tiger Hill

Every tourist who comes to Darjeeling makes it a point to visit Tiger Hill. It is one of the few spots in India from where you can get an uninterrupted view of the Kanchenjunga Mountains. Jeep rides are easily available early in the morning to take tourists to the top of Tiger Hill where they can catch an early sunrise. As sun rises from behind the mountain peaks, tourists are captivated by the changing colors of the sky. The Kanchenjunga range is bathed in the golden light of the sun.

Visit a Tea Garden

Darjeeling Tea is regarded as one of the finest brews of tea in the world by many tea connoisseurs. The commercial production of tea in the region was started during the British era. There are some tea estates here which date back to around 100 years. The hill station sees many tourists who are interested in knowing more about this culture of tea cultivation prevalent in the region. If you want, one can stay at a tea bungalow Darjeeling where you will be surrounded by tea plantations for as far as the eye can see. Tourists can enjoy lazy strolls through the tea gardens and enjoy complimentary tea tasting sessions.

Ghoom Monastery

The old Ghoom Monastery, officially known as the Yiga Choeling Monastery, is the oldest Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Darjeeling. It was built in 1850 and belongs to the Yellow Hat sect or the Gelukpa. The main attraction here is a 15 feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha seen in the central hall, made entirely of clay brought from Tibet. The monastery also has many rare Buddhist scriptures and manuscripts. The majestic Kanchenjunga Mountains can also be viewed from outside the monastery.

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Visit a Tea Garden
best place to stay in darjeeling