Darjeeling is a hill station in the state of West Bengal in India and was a summer retreat for the British during their stay in India. Darjeeling is a Queen of India’s hill stations, fragrant tea gardens almost surround it, which seem to flow over layered slopes like emerald swells on a rough sea. Here in this article, we will let you know about the Things to do in Darjeeling.
1. Watch the Sunrise at Tiger Hill
One of the most popular things to do in Darjeeling is to take a taxi up to Tiger Hill and watch the sunrise over the snowcapped peaks of Mount Kanchenjunga. There is no entry fee to enter this area, although you need to carry some cash since there will be some shops selling coffee for 10 rupees. It is the most tourist iconic place in Darjeeling, so the viewer can get pretty crowded. It only gets 20 minutes to get to the lookout spot, but if you’re starting from the town center, tourists can leave the hotel around 4:00 am to beat the traffic. Whether, if you are not interested to get back to the hotel, take a nap as there are plenty of cool attractions including a temple known as Sincheal Singh Devi Dham and a war memorial known as Batasia Loop, and also there are several peaceful meadows on the way accessible from the road, where you can view the sunrise if the main lookout point gets too crowded.
Must see: Best time to visit Darjeeling
2. The Toy Train (Things to do in Darjeeling with couples)
The most popular tourist attraction in this area is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as Toy Train. As an official UNESCO World Heritage Site, they completed the railway line in 1881 and rushes through the gorgeous scenery of the Eastern Himalayas. Basically, there are two types of rides available in Toy Train that stop in Darjeeling, one is passenger service, and another one is a Joy ride. The daily passenger service spans 50 miles running from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and passing through popular points of Siliguri, and Ghum. The joyride is the most popular attraction for tourists, offering two hours round trip from Darjeeling to Ghum. You can start your ride from Ghum and get down to Kurseong to relax and eat at the many food joints. It is the most fun activity in Darjeeling that you cannot miss out on.
3. Visit Ghum Monastery (Best things to do in Darjeeling with families)
It has also known as Ghum Monastery or Old Ghoom Monastery, and Yigo Choeling Monastery, is one of the Old monasteries in Darjeeling. It is located just about four miles away from the town center very close to Tiger Hill Sunrise spot and just below the Ghum Railway Station. This monastery is elevated at 8000 feet and is known for its 15 feet tall Buddha statue.
4. Visit the Japanese peace pagoda
Peace Pagoda, Ampara
It is a must-see spot when visiting places in Darjeeling with friends. You can walk to the site of the Pagoda from the center of town, although you must be ready to climb uphill for about 45 minutes. The easiest way to get there is by taxi, and it is advised that you must visit in the early morning before it gets too crowded. There is a small Japanese temple on the premises, where you can stop to meditate and admire a unique selection of anti-nuclear weapons networks.
5. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Located in the famous town of Darjeeling, exploring the Padmaja Naidu Zoological park is one of the top things to do in Darjeeling. Get ready to meet so many wild animals such as the Himalayan Wolf, Red panda, snow leopards, and more. They spread it across a sprawling 65 acres of area. Indira Gandhi gave this park also known as its official name to honor Padmaja Naidu, ex-governor of West Bengal and daughter of Sarojini Naidu. It is also home to over 200 species of plants including Oak, Birch, and Alder.
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