Darjeeling is one of the most picturesque hill stations in India with a pleasant climate, breathtaking natural vistas, and panoramic views.
It is surrounded by majestic Kanchenjunga ranges and green tea plantations. Darjeeling brims with cultural personification, tea gardens, and myriads of mesmerizing landscapes.
The steep mountains and the juggling monasteries seem to come straight out of a storybook. Shrouded by the magnificent hills, layers of greenery, and a blanket of fresh air, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to mystical heaven.
Let’s take a look at the top ten places to visit in Darjeeling.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is the most popular mountain peak in Darjeeling, known for offering panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest.
It is located at an altitude of 2,590 m and offers a breathtaking sunrise view above the Kanchenjunga.
Tiger Hill is also an excellent trekking destination and can be reached by jeep or foot. The awe-inspiring vistas and natural scenery surrounding this region make it one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Get ready to meet the Red Panda, the endangered Himalayan wolf, and the snow leopards at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
It is also called Darjeeling Zoo and is known for its conservation and breeding programs.
The zoo also houses an off-display breeding center and an aviary where you can see a wide variety of Himalayan bird species such as Parakeets, Ring-Necked Pheasants, Hill Mynas, and Blue Gold Macaw.
The park promotes Himalayan ecosystem awareness and tells people about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Peace Pagoda
If you’re a spiritual soul looking for one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling you should definitely visit Peace Pagoda.
Buddhist monk Fuiji built the pagoda to spread the message of peace and harmony after the bombings in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Built in Japanese Buddhist order the pagoda has a white exterior with golden statues of Buddha’s four avatars. From the top of the pagoda, you can enjoy splendid views of the Kanchenjunga mountain.
You can spend time here meditating and appreciating the architecture of the pagoda.
Rock Garden
The list of the topmost places to visit in Darjeeling won’t be complete if you don’t visit Rock Garden. It is a man-made garden with bridges, waterfalls, and lush greenery.
A mountain stream meanders through this beautiful garden enhancing the scenic beauty of this place. It is also a famous picnic spot where you can have a leisurely lunch and play board games.
There are various seating areas in the park where you can spend some time appreciating the beauty of nature. From stone benches to intricately designed pathways and arches each part of the garden has been beautifully crafted from rock.
Ghoom Monastery
Your bucket list of the top 10 places to visit in Darjeeling won’t be complete if you don’t visit Ghoom Monastery situated at the height of eight thousand feet.
It features a fifteen-foot statue of Maitreya made out of clay. In front of the statue, you’ll find two huge oil lamps that keep burning year-round.
It is the oldest Tibetan monastery in the region where you can learn about the Buddhist traditions. Right outside this monastery, you can enjoy the breathtaking Kanchenjunga view.
The monastery walls have been painted beautifully with various images of bodhisattvas. The enchanting mantras and the whistling songs playing over here can make your soul sin-free.
Rimbik
Rimbik is a picturesque town situated in the Singalila National Park renowned for its trekking routes.
The beautiful oak and pine trees with the fresh air, make for the perfect combination to enjoy a dreamy trek.
It is counted among the top 10 places to visit in Darjeeling as it offers the perfect blend of history, culture, natural beauty, and age-old traditions.
From Rimbik you can take in the breathtaking views of the snow-clad Kanchenjunga range. A few kilometers away from Rimbik is the Dhirdham temple which exudes spiritual vibes.
Batasia Loop
Batasia Loop is a gigantic railway loop set amidst the green mountainside. It is one of the best places to visit Darjeeling in December all thanks to the pleasant weather and picturesque sceneries.
From the Loop, you can get Darjeeling’s bird’s eye view. You will stay in awe seeing the snow-capped Eastern Himalayan peaks and mighty Kanchenjunga from the Loop.
When you take the toy train it will cross this beautiful Loop offering you amazing views.
Nightingale Park
If you want to unwind and recharge amidst the lush greenery you won’t find a better place than Nightingale Park.
It is a public park area where you can enjoy splendid views of the Kanchenjunga peaks. Formerly it was known as The Shrubbery and served as Sir Thomas Tartan’s home’s private courtyard.
One of the best travel tips to visit this park is to see the magnanimous statue of Lord Shiva and a musical fountain. It is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling for couples due to its splendid scenery and peaceful ambiance.
Singalila National Park
Singalila National Park is situated in the Eastern Himalayan region on Singalila Ridge. It is one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling sprawling with lush greenery and rhododendron forests.
Inside the park two of the highest peaks Sandakphu and Phalut are located. Almost one hundred and twenty diverse bird species can be found in the park, including the endangered blood pheasant and satyr tragopan.
You can also see here animals like red pandas, leopard cats, Himalayan black bears, and clouded leopards.
St. Andrew’s Church
St. Andrew’s Church is situated in Darjeeling town at the Mall Road. It is an old Anglican Church named after the saint Scotland St. Andrew.
The church was constructed in the Gothic Style and is renowned for its architecture and peaceful ambiance. Inside the church, you will find brass plaques and inlaid marble tablets memorializing the oldest residents of Darjeeling.
It is known to be one of the best places to visit in Darjeeling to experience spiritual bliss.
How to reach Darjeeling
By Train
New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway station to Darjeeling, connecting the city with all the parts of the country.
There are several trains from cities like Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bhubaneshwar, Kochi, and Bengaluru. You can hire a private cab from the railway station to reach Darjeeling.
By Road
Darjeeling is connected to the major cities close by, like Kalimpong and Gangtok, which are situated at a distance of 51 km and 100 km, respectively.
The city is also well-connected with Kolkata, which is around 651 km away. Kathmandu is only 310 KM away from Darjeeling.
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