Places To Visit In Darjeeling

Darjeeling is indeed one of the most stunning tourist destinations in India. The sights of this beautiful hill town are truly paradisiacal and it comes as no surprise that Darjeeling has been named as a world heritage site under UNESCO. Besides enjoying the beauty of rolling meadows, picturesque mountains and beautiful orchids, you must also visit tourist hotspots like the Observatory Hill, Batasia Loop, Tiger Hill, Chowrasta and Darjeeling Zoological Gardens. The magnificent Buddhist monasteries found in every corner of the town is another important tourist attraction of the city. Some of the noted monasteries are Yiga Chilling Monastery, Bhutia Buddhist Monastery and Drukpa Kargyud Monastery. As you marvel at the architectural and natural splendor of this hill station, exploring the culinary cuisine here is also highly recommended. Hit the small eateries and multi-cuisine restaurants to savor Tibetan dumplings, Sael rotis and churpee. Beer lovers can try their hands at Tongba, a local non-alcoholic drink, which is very famous among tourists and local inhabitants. Scroll down the article to get an insight about the top tourist attractions in Darjeeling.

Tourist Attractions In Darjeeling

Tiger Hill
Located 12 km off Darjeeling, Tiger Hill is known for its unparalleled beauty and charm. It's amazing to see the color of Mountain Kanchenjunga slowly turning into gorgeous golden hue as the sunrays gently touches upon it. Catch jeeps or simply hire taxis from the town to reach this tourism spot. Don't be surprised to see people gathered near the hills at the break of dawn, which is the best time to catch the panoramic view of the rising sun. Trekking in Tiger hills can be a fun experience. Other nearby places that are worth visiting here are Senchel, Kuresong, Kalimpong and Ghoom (Ghum).

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is another important landmark in Darjeeling. Set up by Tenzing Norway Sherpa, the institute, besides providing mountaineering and sports climbing training to the people, also offers spectacular view of Mount Kanchenjunga. Housed within the institute is the gripping museum that enthralls visitors with its interesting collection.

Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill, surrounded by greenery everywhere, is the best place to visit if you want to view the breathtaking sights of snow-clad Mount Kanchenjunga. The hill, located near Chowrasta Square, also has a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The entrance of the temple complex is quite impressive with colorful flags and hanging bells. Around the hill, there are other interesting places to see as well like the famous temple of Mahakal.

Darjeeling Zoological Garden
Located 2 km off the town is the famous Darjeeling Zoological Garden that houses some of the valuable species of birds and animals. Amidst the lush trees and plants, you can spot Siberian Tigers, Red Pandas, Snow Yaks, and Crocodiles among others. Bird watchers can check out Grey Birds, Babblers, Woodpeckers and other rare species here.

Lloyd's Botanical Garden
Lloyd's also known as Darjeeling Botanical Garden, sprawling across 40 acres of land, is a visual treat for your eyes. A vast range of flora species including Himalayan plants, orchids, flowers are on display here. Check out the mind-blowing cacti and orchid section inside this garden that happens to be one of the major highlights. Lloyd's botanical garden, whose doors are thrown open for tourists from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, can be visited on all the days except on Sundays.

Japanese Peace Pagoda
Japanese Peace Pagoda stands out as a living example of peace and harmony. Constructed under the supervision of Japanese monk Nichidatsu Fujii, this Buddhist stupa portrays four incarnations of Lord Buddha. An epitome of Japanese style of architecture, this symbol of peace remains unperturbed by human segregation and is one of the best places to go if you wish to experience immense peace.