Sightseeing
Lal Kothi Previously the palace house of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Lal Kothi is today the office of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. The surroundings are wonderful and the view is fabulous.
Ava Art Gallery Tourists often miss out this art haven that houses the collection of the artist Ava Devi. Admire the 60-odd pieces of art that use water, oil and thread as mediums.
Lloyd Botanical Garden The garden houses a flora that is rich, abundant and at times bizarre. Ablaze with the numerous colors of orchids, rhododendrons, magnolias, primulas, ferns and many varieties of Himalayan plants, it is worth a look.
Senchal Lake A logistical wonder, it has come up as a picnic spot among tourists. The lake supplies drinking water to the town of Darjeeling.
Batasia Loop About 5 km. from Darjeeling, this Railway Loop is a marvellous feat of engineering. You will always recall the rush of exhilaration that will overcome you when you see the snowy peaks and town centre from here.
Tiger Hill Standing at a height of 2590 m, 11 km from the main town is the most stunning viewing point of the Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest and other eastern Himalayan peaks. The multihued rays of the rising sun can hurt the eyes if one stares too long.
Japanese Peace Pagoda To surround yourself in serene surroundings, head to the Japanese Peace Pagoda. The beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga mountain and the humming sound that reverberates when the mantras are chanted are a treat for the senses.
The Mall Darjeeling's most popular commercial street, the Mall, is lined with Tibetans selling hand-knitted sweaters, artifacts and antiques. The mall leads to the Chowrasta, a square that doubles as a pony-riding area and as a haven for lovers.
Shrubbery Park A well-manicured park located right behind Raj Bhawan. Besides the green surroundings, enjoy the cultural programs that take place here. Don't miss out the nearby Hot Stimulating Café, which serves warm tomba (beer) and steaming momos.
Dirdham Temple Built in 1939, the Dirdham temple resembles the renowned Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu. There is a statue of Lord Shiva outside the main temple that depicts "Pancha Bakram Tri Netram" or the five facial expressions of Lord Shiva.
Ropeway The cable car ride takes 6 passengers at a time and it passes over the lush green tea gardens while offering glorious views of Sikkim and the river Rangeet. The breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga make it a cherishable experience.
Gangamaya Park Named after an innocent victim of police firing during the Gorkhaland agitation, it meanders by the course of a mountain stream, past gazebos, flowering shrubs and trees, over bridges and into a circular lake with paddle boats and a waterfall. A must-watch are the Gorkha folk dances.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway A quixotic toy train run by the DHR between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, it chugs uphill on a narrow gauge no wider than two feet. The eight-hour journey is a thrilling experience. To make the most of your journey, don't forget your binoculars. There is also a short fun ride between Ghoom and Darjeeling past the world-famous Batasia Loop. UNESCO has declared DHR as a World Heritage site.
Observatory Hill It dates back to the 18th century when a monastery was built here. The temple of Mahakal (Dhirdham Temple) on Observatory Hill is equally eyecatching. Modelled on the famous Pashupati Temple of Kathmandu, it is said to be a religious centre for all local inhabitants. It has a natural cave formation and offers a view of the Kanchenjunga. There is also a Buddhist shrine just below this revered temple.
Happy Valley Tea Estate To see how Darjeeling tea is processed, visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate. Here, tea is still made the traditional way and 1,000 kilograms of orthodox tea are processed daily. With excellent prospects in the international market, no other garden in the world is situated at an altitude as high as that of Happy Valley - 6,300 feet (1,890 metres).
Ghoom Monastery Ghoom Monastery is the largest monastery in the region and belongs to the Yellow Sect of Buddhists. A walk inside is a voyage of discovery that centres on a 15-ft tall idol of Buddha, generally called Maitreya Buddha (Coming Buddha). Thangkas, sculptures, palm leaf and paper manuscripts adorn the giant halls of the monastery. The Buddhist Tibetan Gospel, in 108 volumes, is also kept here.
Zoological Park About 2 km from the town, this zoo houses a wide collection of high-altitude birds and animals, India's only collection of Siberian tigers and rare species such as the red panda and the Tibetan wolf. The Darjeeling zoo is famous for its success with the snow-leopard breeding program.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
HMI on Jawaharlal Parbat that provides training to amateur mountaineers. The Everest Museum at HMI has exhibits on the history of attempts on the great peak. The museum exhibits equipment used by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary and a letter written by George Mallory, the famous British climber.
Bengal Natural History Museum History lovers must head to this museum as it contains specimens of the fauna of the region. The specimens are displayed in true-to-life attitudes of all the bird species, reptiles and animals that are found at different altitudes in the Eastern Himalayas. The butterfly and beetles section are, however, the main attractions.
Aloobari Monastery Yolmowa Buddhist Monastery, lovingly known as the Aloobari Monastery is located on the Tenzing Norgay Road. It was founded in 1914 by Sangay Lama, the revered religious head of Yolmowas (a small ethnic clan from northeast Nepal). The picturesque Kanchenjunga mountain forms the backdrop of the red and white structure.
Rock Garden An 8 km drive from the main town, will take you to a delightful excursion point. The small and pretty Chunnu waterfall adds to the scenic charm of the place.
Tibetan Refugee Centre A 45-minute walk from the Chowrastha, and located in a picturesque place, it is home to more than 650 Tibetans who are engaged in various activities such as theproduction of handicrafts, carpets, woodcarvings etc. Workshops at the centre are open to visitors.
Chowrasta A large, open area, which is a hive of commercial activity, it is surrounded by shops and restaurants and small, dark pony stables. You'll find shops named Habeeb Mullick and Oxford Bookstore, both worth a visit. Oxford has a wide range of books that include a good selection on local geography, customs and people. Habeeb Mullick stocks artefacts and souvenirs.
Mirik Surrounded by the slopes of Cryptomaria Japanica trees, the Kanchenjunga, orange and cardamom plantations, tea estates and a serene water body, Mirik is a few kilometres away from Darjeeling. Attractions worth visiting in Mirik include the Sumendu Lake, Deosi Dara, Kawlay Dara, Rameetay Dara, Devi Sthan, Rai Dhap, Bokar Chokhor Ling Monastery, orange orchards, cardamom plantations, The Helipad and Swiss Cottage and the Thurbo Tea Garden and Factory.