by Carole Simm, Demand Media
Places to See in Darjeeling | Travel Tips
The district of Darjeeling, in West Bengal, is perhaps best-known for its aromatic tea, but the area also boasts numerous natural and cultural attractions, as well as adventure activities such as trekking and white-water rafting. Darjeeling City, which lies in the north of the province, has been dubbed the "Queen of the Hills," thanks to its mountainous location. Places to see in the city of Darjeeling include religious shrines, heritage sites and beautiful gardens, a few of which stand out from the rest.
Darjeeling boasts several beautiful temples, including Dhirdham Temple and the Japanese Peace Pagoda on the slopes of Jalapahar Hill, which showcases the four avatars of Lord Buddha. Dali monastery, a sprawling hillside complex, is the headquarters of Drukchen Rinpoche XII, leader of the Kargyupa sect. Ghoom Monastery is an ornate, pagoda-style temple that contains a statue of the "Future Coming Buddha" and a valuable collection of handwritten manuscripts. Aloobari Monastery, which was completed in 1914, is dedicated to the cause of world peace. Its statues and wall paintings are exquisite.
The 40-acre Lloyd Botanical Garden showcases plants from the Eastern Himalayas; attractions include a large orchid house, an herbarium and living fossils. The garden is open daily, year-round, and is free to enter. Nightingale Park offers daily cultural programs during peak tourist season, and the gardens contain a small temple and statue of Lord Shiva. Ganga Maya Park, just outside the city, is a recreational park with walking trails and boating facilities, as well as a scenic picnic spot beside a waterfall.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a miniature steam railway known locally as the "Toy Train," is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of India's oldest hill passenger railways and connects Darjeeling to Jalpaiguri via 60 miles of track. The train passes through 11 stations, including Ghoom, which is one of the highest railway stations in the world. The track includes six reverses and three loops, and the ride offers panoramic vistas of mountains, valleys and waterfalls.
Tiger Hill lies seven miles from downtown Darjeeling and is renowned for its spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Everest. The best time to visit is sunrise, when the surrounding peaks appear to turn to gold.
Temples and Monasteries
Darjeeling boasts several beautiful temples, including Dhirdham Temple and the Japanese Peace Pagoda on the slopes of Jalapahar Hill, which showcases the four avatars of Lord Buddha. Dali monastery, a sprawling hillside complex, is the headquarters of Drukchen Rinpoche XII, leader of the Kargyupa sect. Ghoom Monastery is an ornate, pagoda-style temple that contains a statue of the "Future Coming Buddha" and a valuable collection of handwritten manuscripts. Aloobari Monastery, which was completed in 1914, is dedicated to the cause of world peace. Its statues and wall paintings are exquisite.
Parks and Gardens
The 40-acre Lloyd Botanical Garden showcases plants from the Eastern Himalayas; attractions include a large orchid house, an herbarium and living fossils. The garden is open daily, year-round, and is free to enter. Nightingale Park offers daily cultural programs during peak tourist season, and the gardens contain a small temple and statue of Lord Shiva. Ganga Maya Park, just outside the city, is a recreational park with walking trails and boating facilities, as well as a scenic picnic spot beside a waterfall.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a miniature steam railway known locally as the "Toy Train," is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of India's oldest hill passenger railways and connects Darjeeling to Jalpaiguri via 60 miles of track. The train passes through 11 stations, including Ghoom, which is one of the highest railway stations in the world. The track includes six reverses and three loops, and the ride offers panoramic vistas of mountains, valleys and waterfalls.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill lies seven miles from downtown Darjeeling and is renowned for its spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Everest. The best time to visit is sunrise, when the surrounding peaks appear to turn to gold.
Padmaja Naidu Himlayan Zoological Gardens
Darjeeling Zoo (pnhzp.gov.in) is a specialist zoo, dedicated to the breeding of endangered Himalayan species, including Tibetan wolves, red pandas and snow leopards. The park covers 67 acres and is open six days a week, year-round.
Chowrasta
Chowrasta, a wide promenade in the heart of downtown Darjeeling, is lined with eateries and shops, including the Darjeeling mall, and since no traffic is allowed, it is a safe place to stroll. You can also take a mule ride to the Happy Valley Tea Garden, which provides a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city.
Source: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/places-see-darjeeling-63913.html