When we think about some of the most beautiful hill stations in India, the name of Darjeeling comes first in our minds. Often tagged as the "Queen of Hills", Darjeeling is truly a piece of paradise with its exquisite beauty, mesmerizing view of the mountain peaks, marvellous tea gardens on the slopes of the rolling hills, lush alpine forest and the stunning view of sunrise looming over the Mount Kanchenjunga.
Darjeeling, a vibrant hill station nestled in the eastern part of Himalaya, holds a plethora of historical significance and its world-famous toy train (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway) also shines with its full glory by having the title of UNESCO'S World Heritage Site.
Situated at an elevation of 2134 meters in the Indian state of West B engal, Darjeeling is not just about scenic landscapes and pictorial sights. It is also about enjoying the soothing weather and having the taste of delicious Tibetan cuisine. First inaugurated in the 19th century by the British, Darjeeling now has transformed itself as one of the promising hill stations for every kind of traveller and in the following lines, let us describe why?
This hill station gained popularity during the mid-nineteenth century when the British set up a retreat and a military base in Darjeeling. Before this, Darjeeling was the ancient Gorkha capital. Later, the Maharaja of Sikkim gifted Darjeeling to the British. Darjeeling is the home of many mixed immigrants from Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal. As a result, you will see a unique and diverse culture. Hinduism is a major religion here. Festivals like Losar, Darjeeling Carnival, Makar Sankranti, ChotrulDuchen, etc are celebrated here.
Darjeeling is full of tourist attractions and because of this; it truly justifies being called the Queen of Hill Station. Some of the prominent sightseeing attractions in the ever-growing tourism in Darjeeling are:
The snow-peaked Mount Kanchenjunga will be your every time's companion while spending a memorable holiday in Darjeeling. Whether you are wandering around the town, exploring the tourist attractions, or having a cup of tea in the balcony of your hotel, you will always get to see the splendid vista of Kanchenjunga.
Previously known as the Darjeeling Zoo, it is one of the most beautiful zoological parks in the entire India. Situated in the foothills of Himalaya, the green lush forested area, pleasant weather and the unique wildlife make Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park a worth visiting sightseeing attraction in Darjeeling.
Tiger Hill is one of the top reasons to visit Darjeeling for most of the travellers from all around the globe. Visiting Tiger Hill and enjoying a scenic vista of sunrise looming over the mountain peaks is a must-do activity in this hill station. Moreover, the bright sun rays scattered on the snow-white mountain peak offers a truly dreamy view.
The highest railway station in India situated at an elevation of 7310 feet above the sea level, the station in Ghoom is one of the most beautiful in the entire world. Apart from the beautiful railway station, the famous Ghoom Monastery or also known as YigaCholing Monastery is another attraction here. It is just 8 km away from the main town of Darjeeling. Being constructed at an elevation of 8000 feet above the sea level, Ghoom Monastery offers a splendid view of the Darjeeling Valley along with unique architecture.
Batasia Loop is one of the best reasons in the ever-growing tourism in Darjeeling. The iconic toy train of Darjeeling takes "U" turn here. In the middle of the railway track, there is a garden full of numerous flowers and plantations such as rhododendrons, orchids and the rare Gingko Biloba. The war memorial in the middle of the garden is also a tourist attraction which was built in the honour of Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives for India.
Peace Pagoda is one of the major attractions in the ever-growing tourism in Darjeeling along with its nearby Japanese Temple. These two temples are considered as the most sacred temples among the Buddhist community. Built-in the year of 1972, Peace-Pagoda is one of the tallest free-standing buildings from which the splendid sight of the picturesque landscape, as well as the gigantic Himalayan ranges, can be enjoyed.
The lush tea garden dotting the scenic hill station is one of the famous tourist places in Darjeeling. Encompassed by the shimmering River Teesta and the Mahananda River, Darjeeling offers a splendid view of the snow-peaked Mt. Kanchenjunga. The widely renowned Darjeeling Tea is also a major source of Darjeeling's economy.
The weather of Darjeeling stays usually cool and the summer months are quite short. Summer starts in May and ends in June.
