The best tourist places to visit near Darjeeling are Kurseong, Sonada, Ghoom, Kanchenjunga, Rock Garden, Tiger Hill, Sandakphu, Tea Estate, Latpanchar, Sittong, Giddha Pahar, Dow Hill, Shivakhola, Batasia Loop, Peace pagoda, Ganga Maya Park, and Eagle’s Crag.
Darjeeling is a hill station famous for its scenic beauty, ancient forest, quaint houses, mountains, tea gardens, and valleys. Darjeeling is located in the West Bengal State of India. It is very near to Siliguri. There are many beautiful places to visit in and around Darjeeling. The atmosphere in Darjeeling is very cool and pleasant. Every year thousands of tourists visit Darjeeling for sightseeing the places. Here is the list of places to visit near Darjeeling.
Places To Visit Near Darjeeling
Kurseong
Kurseong is a hill station located near Darjeeling famous for waterfalls, temples, and Buddhist Gompas. Kurseong is a municipality in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal state of India. It is known as the “Land of White Orchids”. The town has an excellent view of the green tea fields. It is situated at an altitude of 1483 meters from sea level and has pleasant weather. The top attractions in Kurseong are Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, Eagle’s Crag, Castleton Tea Estate, Forest Museum, and Bagore Village. The distance between Kurseong and Darjeeling is 32 km. You can reach Kurseong by toy train from Darjeeling and enjoy the high mountain train in India.
Sonada
Sonada is a beautiful town in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal state, India. Sonada is located at a height of 6146 feet from sea level and is a major station for the Darjeeling Himalayan railway. The town is very near the beautiful Kurseong hill station. The distance between Sonada from Darjeeling is 17 km. Sonada is one lesser-known hill station in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The top places to visit in Sonada are Tiger Hill, Senchal Lake, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Rock Garden, Tiger Hill Sunrise Observatory, and Rainbow Waterfall. You can visit a beautiful monastery known as Samdrup Darjay Choling Monastery in Sonada.
Ghoom
Yiga Cholieng Monastery or Ghoom Monastery is one of the oldest Tibetan monasteries in Darjeeling of West Bengal. It was built in the year 1875 by the Lama Sherab Gyasto. The monastery has a 15-foot-high Maitreya Buddha statue that captivates the surrounding with its aura. The monastery is famous for its beautiful Thangka on the walls, fancy bells, and drums. Ghoom Monastery is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling. Ghoom Monastery is open all the day week from early morning till evening. Ghoom Monastery market is the best shopping place to buy reasonably priced Tibetan products like prayer wheels, prayer flags, singing bowls, and Buddha’s heads.
Tea Garden and Tea Estate
Darjeeling is famous for tea gardens and tea estates. Darjeeling has 87 tea Gardens spread over seven valleys of Darjeeling Hills. The tea plantation in Darjeeling is spread over hundreds of acres. Happy Valley Tea Estate is the largest tea garden in Darjeeling with a historical plantation. 10 famous tea estates in Darjeeling are Puttabong Tea Estate, Glenburn Tea Estate, Makaibari Tea Estate, Gopladhara Tea Estate, Okayti Tea Estate, Ambootia Tea Estate, and Arya Tea estate. The tea garden view in Darjeeling is relaxing and rejuvenating. While viewing the tea gardens you can taste a cup of hot tea manufactured in the tea estate.
Kangchenjunga
Kangchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world and the highest in India. It is also spelled as Kanchenjunga or Khangchendzonga. It lies at an elevation of 28,169 feet from sea level. It is situated in the eastern Himalayas on the border between Sikkim, northeast India, and Nepal. It is one of the prettiest mountain ranges in India to visit in Darjeeling. Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is the best place to view Kangchenjunga at the time of sunrise. It is better you should reach Tiger Hill by 4.30 am to watch the magnificent specter of changing colors in hue and dance on the snow peak while the sun rises. If you have great luck and there is no cloud, then it is possible only.
Darjeeling Mall or Chowrasta
Darjeeling mall is a shopping mall in Darjeeling, West Bengal. It is also called Chowrasta. This is the town center or a social center of Darjeeling. At the Chowrasta there are small stores, selling souvenirs, woolen clothing, tea shops, and hotels on one side and an open view on the other side. This place is rendezvous of people from all over the world and is notable as a popular tourist hangout in Darjeeling. It is located at a distance of 1 km from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway station. This is the best place for walking also.
Barbotey Rock Garden
Barbotey Rock Garden at Chunnu Summer waterfall is recently added to the list of tourist attractions in the hilly town of Darjeeling in West Bengal. This picnic spot is located at a distance of 10 km from Darjeeling. It is a beautiful place surrounded by tall trees, tea gardens, and amazing waterfalls at various levels. It is a multi-level picnic garden. In the garden, you can enjoy green tea fields, twisty roads, and multistep cascading waterfalls. The Rock Garden is open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. An entry fee is required to visit the rock garden for adults and children.
Tiger Hill
Tiger hill is a mountain in Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, India. The hill has a panoramic view of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga. The height of Tiger Hill is 8500 feet situated 13 km from Darjeeling. Tiger Hill is internationally famous for providing a beautiful view of a stunning sunrise over Kanchenjunga and the other important peak of the Himalayas. At the time of sunrise, the peak of Kanchenjunga is illuminated. The snow peak of Kanchenjunga appears in magical colors as the sunlight strikes it. It is better to reach early in the morning as there is a huge crowd.
Sandakphu
Sandakphu is the highest mountain peak in the Singalila Ridge located on the border between India and Nepal. The peak lies at a height of 11930 feet. Sandakphu offers a breathtaking view of the four world’s five highest peaks – Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Lhotse that form a continuous snow-clad arc. Sandakphu is a wonderland for trekkers. YHAI – Sandakphu Phalut trek is one of the treks on earth from which you can see the 8000-meter peak. During the trek, you can enjoy the beauty of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. The distance between Sandakphu and Darjeeling is 83 km.
Latpanchar
Latpanchar is a small village in West Bengal. It is very near to Sittong village. It is a form of the highest part of Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary. It is a relatively new tourist destination located at an altitude of 5000 feet above sea level. The village is surrounded by dense mixed-wet forest. Latpanchar is a bird watcher’s paradise in West Bengal. It is an unseen and hidden destination in the West Bengal state of India. The distance between Latpanchar and Darjeeling is 57 km and that from Siliguri is 47 km. Ahal Dara’s viewpoint in Latpanchar is must visit place. From here you can watch the sunrise over the Himalayas.
Sittong
Sittong is a beautiful village in the West Bengal state of India. Actually, it is not a village but a cluster of small villages. Sittong is slowly gaining popularity among the tourist who are looking gateway a little differently and more secluded location. The distance between Kursegaon and Sittong is 33 km. The height of Sittong varies from 660 to 1400 meters. During the winter season, you can experience the beauty of the Sittong and can view the Kanchenjunga. There is awesome accommodation of homestays and hotels, with all comfort of basic amenities, caring staff, and looking to your needs.
Giddha Pahar View Point
Giddha Pahar View Point is a scenic point in West Bengal, India. Giddha Pahar village is situated 4.5 km from Kurseong towards Siliguri. Giddha Pahar viewpoint is the lesser known place but a unique offbeat destination in Darjeeling. The Tourist Department of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is developing Giddha Pahar as a tourist destination at the cost of INR 1,92,41,170. Giddha Pahar View Point offers a great view of the mountains and best place for photography. There are many hill view resorts and homestays in and around Giddha Pahar View Point.
Dow Hills
Dow Hill is located on the top of Kurseong town. It is one of the most haunted hill stations in India. The natural beauty of Dow hill attracts tourists. The distance between Dow Hill and Darjeeling is about 30 km. The Downhill from Dow Hill offers a panoramic view of Kurseong town with its splendid natural scenes, carpeted tea estate, and hilltops. The Dow Hill of Kurseong is the mother of all haunted places. You can get to witness the scenic beauty once you visited Dow hill. There are hotels and homestays near Dow Hill for your accommodation.
Shivakhola Adventure Camp
Shivakhola is a beautiful offbeat place in Darjeeling. Shivakhola is famous for the Shivakhola Adventure Camp. The camp is located on the bank of the River Mahananda. The main attraction of living in the camp is the excellent view and amazing experience in the aromatic and soothing tea garden. This place is dedicated in the name of Lord Shiva. You must include this place in your itinerary.
Toy train
The toy train in Darjeeling is a narrow gauge train. Toy train rides operate from Darjeeling Railway station. It is a round trip starting from Darjeeling up to Ghum and back via Batasia Loop to Darjeeling. The total distance is around 14 km. To complete the round trip approximately 2 hours is required. This toy train world Heritage site declared by UNESCO. Traveling by toy train at a higher mountain is one of the different experiences.
Himalaya Mountain Institute (HMI)
Himalayan Mountain Institute- Himalayan Mountain Institute is a mountaineering class in Darjeeling, West Bengal. It is the only institute that conducts special adventure courses in India. This is the oldest institute in the country established in 1957. The institute serves as a resource for researchers and students of mountaineering. The motto of the institute is to climb from mountain to mountain. This institute is referred to as the Mecca of Indian Mountaineering.
Happy Valley Tea Estate
Happy Valley Tea Estate is a tea garden located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. It is spread over a huge area of 440 acres of land. This finest organic tea company grows, manufactures, and sells its own tea making it True Leaf to True Brand. It is situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level. It is Darjeeling’s second oldest tea estate 3 km from Darjeeling with more than 1500 employees. The estate and factory are open from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm from Tuesday to Saturday. The estate arranges factory tours with fees. A guided tour of the factory offers the visitor a glimpse of the fascinating process of manufacturing tea.
Batasia Loop
Batasia loop is a memorial park in Darjeeling, West Bengal. This memorial was constructed by the District Sainik Board in commemoration of the brave Gorkha soldier who sacrificed their life to protect the nation since independence. It is located just below the Ghoom Monastery. The spiral railway at Batasia loop makes a 360-degree turn on the hilltop of Darjeeling. It is one of the most mesmerizing places to visit in Darjeeling. An entry fee is required to visit the Batasia Loop. The timing of the Batasia loop is from 05.00 am to 4.30 pm. There is a worthwhile unique market along the train track. There you can take photos by wearing the traditional dress of Hilly men and women.
Peace Pagoda
Darjeeling Peace pagoda is one of the peace pagodas designed to provide the focus for the people of all religions and creeds to help unite them in search of world peace. It is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The height of the Pagoda is 28.5 meters and the diameter is 23 meters. Inside the pagoda, there are four avatars of Buddha including the Maitreya Buddha. The pagoda is located on the slope of Jalapahar Hills in Darjeeling. This is the tallest free-standing structure in Darjeeling. It is a serene place depicting the marvelous structure and Japanese culture. The surrounding view from the top of the pagoda is beautiful. The opening time of the pagoda is 4.30 am to 6.30.
Ganga Maya Park
Ganga Maya park is a tourist attraction in Bloomfield tea garden, West Bengal. The park is located 3 km below the Rock Garden in the middle of the Darjeeling Hills. Being located amidst the Darjeeling Hills Ganga Maya Park is worldwide famous for its amazing and exhilarating boat ride. An entrance fee is required to enter the park. This park is in Valley with a stream flowing right through and walkways on both sides. Ganga Maya park is the new addition to the already existing Barbotey Rock Garden. The time of the Ganga Maya park is from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Eagle’s Crag Viewpoint
Eagle’s crag is a scenic spot offering a panoramic view of the surrounding plains, and hills in Kurseong, west Bengal. This tall watchtower has a spiral metal staircase located on a steep cliff above the tea garden of Kurseong. It is the highest point of Kurseong. This place is highly recommended to visit and ideal place to watch sunrise and sunset. It is very near to Kurseong railway station. Eagle’s is a top tourist attraction in Darjeeling.
I hope this information is useful to you for planning your next trip to Darjeeling of West Bengal.
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