Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling
Originally just a cluster of villages that was administered intermittently by Nepal and Sikkim, Darjeeling grew in prominence during the mid 19th century when, because of its climate, the British first established a hill station there after leasing it from the Chogyal of Sikkim and later discovered that the area was particularly well suited for tea plantations. In 1849, the British annexed the area and Darjeeling became a part of British India. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was opened in 1881 (it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the town became the de-facto summer capital of India during the days when the Raj was governed from Calcutta. Because it was a popular hill station during the days of the Raj, a lovely Victorian town was built among the Himalayan foothills, the remnants of which are still visible around the Chowrasta and Darjeeling remains a popular summer and fall resort for the natives of Kolkata today.
Best Season to VisitDarjeeling experiences mild temperature during the summer season. The temperature hovers around 25°C during the season. It is the best time to visit Darjeeling and enjoy sightseeing at its different attractions. The blend of bright sunlight and cool breeze in Darjeeling promises every visitor with a memorable vacation.
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Places to Visit
Toy Train Ride
Toy Train in Darjeeling Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a narrow gauge course connecting Darjeeling and Siliguri. The train ride is an experience of heritage, marvel of engineering and one of the perfect ways to adore the natural beauty of Darjeeling.
Batasia Loop
Batasia Loop is bascally a place where the legendary toy train makes a loop. there is a Gorkha martyr memorial here. There is also a landscaped park. If you go early in the morning (before 8 am) you can get the glimpse of a local crafts market here. One can get dressed in the local attire and get their pictures taken.
Tiger Hill
Ideal to visit early morning when the first rays of the sun kiss the Mt. Kanchenjunga and give it a golden color. To visit the hill, one needs to get up at 3AM in the morning. You can taste some excellent tea on your way to the hill, which will provide much needed warmth on cold Darjeeling mornings.
Peace Pagoda
This impressive building is part of a grid of around 30 pagodas spanning the whole globe. Constructed by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan-Myohoji Order, the one at Charlimont on the outskirts of Darjeeling was consecrated in 1992. A small temple just lies alongside.
Himalayan Zoo
(Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park - shares the premises of HMI). It has a good collection of animals found in the Himalayan region. Animals seem to be treated well (particularly by developing country standards)
Mirik
Mirik is a picturesque tourist spot nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of Mirik subdivision. The name Mirik comes from the Lepcha words Mir-Yok meaning "place burnt by fire".
