Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is a mesmerizing hill station in the Indian state of West Bengal. Known as the "Queen of the Hills," this charming town is celebrated for its scenic beauty, rolling tea estates, and a rich cultural heritage. The lush tea plantations, which produce the famous Darjeeling tea, create a picturesque landscape that's perfect for leisurely walks and capturing stunning sunrises over the Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak.
Darjeeling's colonial past is evident in its architecture, including the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's vibrant culture reflects a blend of Tibetan, Nepali, and British influences, which is most evident in its cuisine and festivals.
The Peace Pagoda, the Batasia Loop, and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park are just a few of the many attractions that make Darjeeling a captivating destination. The town's pleasant climate, lush greenery, and the friendly Gorkha people make it an ideal place for both relaxation and exploration.
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 the Gloom monastery.
About two km from the town, the HMI runs courses to train mountaineers and maintains a couple of interesting museums. The Mountaineering Museum contains a collection of historic mountaineering equipment, specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna, and a relief model of the Himalaya. The Everest Museum next door traces the history of attempts on a great peak. Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who conquered Everest with Edmund Hillary in 1953, lived in Darjeeling and was the director of the Institute for many years.
This zoo was established in 1958 with the objectives of the study, conservation, and preservation of Himalayan fauna. The animals are well cared for by dedicated keepers. To protect and breed the dwindling stocks of wild animals, to educate the public and instill in them a sense of the worth of these wonderful creatures, it is necessary to keep them in pseudo-natural habitats. The zoo houses India's only collection of Siberian tigers and some rare species, such as the red panda and the Tibetan wolf.
While in Darjeeling a visit to any nearby Tea Garden to watch the actual process of the manufacturing of Darjeeling Tea is worth it. Some of the Tea Gardens also sell their packet teas. There are about 70 tea gardens in this hill region. Tea is grown at an altitude ranging from 600 to 2000 meters above mean sea level and requires a minimum of 50" to 60" of rainfall in a year and for this Darjeeling did not lack.
Established in 1959, the center comprises a home for the aged, an orphanage, school, hospital, and craft workshops that produce carpets of pure Ladakh wool, woodcarving, leatherwork, and wool items. The weaving and dyeing shops and the wood carving shop are particularly interesting.
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.
A visit to Darjeeling is incomplete without a ride in the toy-train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR). The miniature train, given heritage status by UNESCO, covers the distance of 88 km between New Jalpaiguri station and Darjeeling. This fascinating narrow gauge steam engine train still operates with the original steam engine and the loops and the zigzags along the route are remarkable feats of engineering. The Short journey from Darjeeling town to Ghoom (the nearest station), becomes a joy ride in itself. The Toy Train is considered an engineering marvel and some prefer to call it one of the wonders of the world, to be preserved forever.