Darjeeling, popularly known as the Queen of the Hills, is one of the most beautiful hill stations to visit in the country. The beauty of Darjeeling lies in the numerous tea estates, the various historical monuments, and the natural sceneries you can’t see anywhere else in the world. There are countless Darjeeling tourism places that you can visit. Even though this hill station has been popular for hundreds of years, there are still new hidden places found regularly.
Before you learn about the exact places to visit in Darjeeling, take a moment to learn about all the travel details to Darjeeling first.
By air: If you are travelling to Darjeeling by flight, the closest airport you will find is the Bagdogra airport. It’s not an international airport, so you might have to take connecting flights from either Kolkata or Guwahati. It takes around 3 hours to reach Darjeeling from Bagdogra airport using the cabs available outside the airport.
By train: Getting to Darjeeling by train is one of the most popular modes of travelling because you get to enjoy the famous toy train. To get to Darjeeling by train, you have to de-board at the New Jalpaiguri station, which is the last station on that line. Trains to New Jalpaiguri are available from most places in the country, and you can reach here easily. From New Jalpaiguri, you can find cabs, buses, or even take the toy train to reach Darjeeling easily.
By road: You can find state-run buses as well as private buses to reach Darjeeling. The best place to start your trip is from Kolkata. You can find buses to reach Darjeeling from Kolkata. However, you still have to get a cab or bus from Siliguri or Jalpaiguri as buses might not directly reach Darjeeling.
15 must-visit places in Darjeeling
If you love mountains, Darjeeling is one of the best locations you can visit. The city is filled with historical places of interest as well as a stunning view of the Himalayas no matter where you go. After all, it is called the Queen of the hills for a reason. This guide was made to help you get a good idea of all the amazing places you can visit in Darjeeling. So, make sure to visit all the fantastic tourist places mentioned in this list next time you feel the mountains calling you.
Tiger Hill
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The view you see in the picture above is the view you get from Tiger hill. This very popular viewpoint in Darjeeling is an absolute must-visit among Darjeeling tourist places. Watching the sunrise from Tiger hill is one of the best experiences you can ever have when you see the first sun rays hit the twin peaks of Kanchenjunga, the highest peak in India. You will also see the Sleeping Buddha mountains in all their glory, with Kanchenjunga at its center. It is simply one of the best Darjeeling places to visit.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train)
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The Himalayan Railway at Darjeeling is a UNESCO world heritage site. It has a centuries-old history of transporting passengers to this hill city. These railways still use some of the last steam locomotives in India that date back almost over a century old. The best part about the Himalayan Railways at Darjeeling is that it connects you to a bunch of other amazing visiting places in Darjeeling. So, you can visit some of the best tourist places in Darjeeling by boarding and taking a trip on the Darjeeling toy train. The toy train station of Darjeeling is located only at a distance of 20 kms from the city centre of Darjeeling.
Ghoom Railway Station
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Visiting a railway station may feel anticlimactic until you learn that this is the highest railway station in India. Situated at an altitude of over 7,000ft, this beautiful railway station will allow you to see some of the best scenic views of Darjeeling. The best part? You don’t have to do much to reach here; simply take a joyride on the toy trains of Darjeeling, and you will reach Ghoom. You can visit various places in Ghoom to enjoy this town to its fullest. One of the best attractions of Ghoom is listed below.
You can reach the Ghoom railway station on the popular toy train, or arrive by road. The distance of the Ghoom railway station from Darjeeling city centre is only 7 km.
Ghoom Monastery
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The Ghoom Monastery is one of the most popular and revered monasteries in Darjeeling. Built in the late 1800s, this monastery is exquisitely beautiful both outside and inside. The 15-foot Buddha statue inside the monastery will leave you in awe. There is a considerable historical value to this monastery, so it will be worth your time to visit it. You will also enjoy great natural views on the way, so it’s a win-win for you. The Ghoom Monastery is located at a distance of 4 kms from the Darjeeling city centre.
Batasia Loop
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Coming back to the Ghoom railway station and boarding the toy train again, you will reach the Batasia loop, which is an incredible feat of railway engineering. The popularity of this spot led to the creation of a thematic park in the region. When you visit this place, the train stops for some time to allow tourists to take in the beautiful view and roam around in the park. The lead-up to the loop and the overall experience is really fun, and the best part is you can just sit and enjoy the view and the experience without having to do anything yourself. The Batasia loop is located just 5 km from the city centre of Darjeeling.
Darjeeling Ropeway
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Continuing the theme of viewpoints allowing you to witness the Queen of Hills in its full glory, the Darjeeling ropeway is one of the best. Dangling over the lush valleys of Darjeeling, you will be able to see the city as well as the amazing snow-covered mountains nearby. The ropeway is a great way to see the city and get amazing shots of the surrounding valleys and huge tea gardens surrounding Darjeeling. You should definitely consider the ropeway on your list of Darjeeling visiting places. You can enjoy the ropeways of Darjeeling by simply strolling down the 3 km path to these ropeways from the Darjeeling city centre.
Mirik
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Mirik is a small town not far from Darjeeling, great for a day trip from Darjeeling. Mirik is one of the many places to visit from Darjeeling that are absolutely stunning in terms of natural beauty. The lake in Mirik is its central attraction, and there are various monasteries and churches that you can also visit during your visit to this town. The best part about Mirik is the transport to and from this town. Mirik is one of the towns still quite undiscovered by tourists, so if you want to enjoy the mountains without the hubbub of tourists all around you, Mirik should be on your must-visit list. The small town of Mirik is located 40 km from the Darjeeling city centre.
Pashupati Market
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Do you want to make your Darjeeling trip international? You can very easily do so. How? By visiting the Pashupati market located in Nepal. Yes, you heard that right! The India-Nepal border is located at a stone’s throw distance from Mirik. You can easily walk into Nepal without a passport or Visa from this border and shop at the Pashupati market. This market is well-known for selling electronic devices at a very low cost, you might find great deals on your trip! You won’t have to pay customs duties on your purchases as well. This is one amazing hidden treasure of Darjeeling. This international trip can be completed by just travelling 30 km from the Darjeeling city centre.
Sandakhpu
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To add some adventure and thrill to your trip, let’s introduce you to the highest peak of West Bengal at over 3,500 meters high, Sandakhpu. Trekking this peak can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life. The best part is that you can do it alone, and you don’t even need a guide to get on top. The fact you can go through this on your own makes it exceptionally more adventurous. When you do reach the top, you are greeted by an exceptional view of the Himalayas, which makes it all worth it. Sandakhpu is also very close to the Nepal border and is located inside the Singhalia national park, which is your next must-visit place in Darjeeling.
Singalila National Park
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Located over 7,000 feet above sea level, the Singalila national park is an amazing place for you to experience the thrill and serenity of Darjeeling at the same time. This national park also hosts the Himalayan Red Panda, one of the most unique animals you can find in West Bengal. The best part about the Singalila national park is that if you decide to trek Sandakhpu, you can just go through this park and see it without having to plan a visit to the park separately. The views of the Himalayas you can get from this park are surreal, so be sure to visit here, even if you don’t want to trek the peak. This incredible national park is just 20 kms from the Darjeeling city centre.
Darjeeling Peace Pagoda
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The peace pagoda of Darjeeling is located close to the town’s center and is one of the most easily accessible tourist spots in Darjeeling. You can easily stroll down to the pagoda, a Japanese-style temple that features four avatars of the Buddha and bask in the peace and serenity of the city. The pagoda is great if you just want to spend a day exploring Darjeeling and seeing the various tourist spots accessible on foot without traveling. The Darjeeling Peace Pagoda is located merely 1 km from the city centre, allowing you to stroll down and visit this tourist spot in your own time.
The Darjeeling Clock Tower
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Continuing the theme of places in Darjeeling close to the city center that you can visit on foot, the clock tower of Darjeeling is a great place for you to visit. Built over a century ago, this clock tower is one of the remaining pieces of the colonial history of Darjeeling. It is a beautiful tower that you can see from the city center or mall road. You can also read interesting historical facts about this ancient clock tower. If you are visiting the clock tower, be sure to also visit Glenary’s, which is a colonial bakery and eatery in Darjeeling that functions to this day. This incredible historic location is located less than 1 km from the Darjeeling city centre.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Garden
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The Darjeeling zoo is a great place for you to see the Himalayan Red Pandas if you missed them on your trip to the Singalila national park. This zoological garden also features an exquisite collection of other endangered animals such as the Tibetian wolf, snow leopards, the only collection of Siberian tigers in India, and, of course, the cute and adorable red pandas. It’s a beautiful place for you to visit and spend a few hours. Even if you are not a huge fan of wildlife, visiting the Darjeeling zoo can change your mind, so be sure to give it a try. This popular zoological garden in Darjeeling is located just 3 km from the city centre.
Tinchuley
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If you want a nature retreat at Darjeeling completely away from the outside world, visit Tinchuley. It is one of the most off-beat locations, around 30-40kms away from Darjeeling. This hamlet is exceptionally beautiful, but it is still quite undiscovered by tourists. So, you can really disconnect from the outside world and spend time reconnecting with nature in this small village. There are only a few hotels in this village, so make sure you book in advance in order to get accommodations without any hassle. The hamlet of Tinchuley is located 12 kms from the Darjeeling city centre.
Lepchajagat
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Lepchajagat is another beautiful small village close to Darjeeling that is a great off-beat location where you can spend some time. This reserved forest area features a beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga as well as deep forests that give you a sense of disconnect from the outside world. As an off-beat location, it remains relatively less crowded than Darjeeling city, so you can spend quality time in the woods of Lepchajagat in your personal space. This park is located just 7 km from the Darjeeling city centre, and it is a great place for you to visit for a day trip when you are in Darjeeling.
FAQs
What is the best time to visit Darjeeling?
The best time to visit Darjeeling would be in the summer, from April to June or July. The weather of the hill station remains chill during this time, allowing you to stay cool even in summers. You can also visit Darjeeling in the winter to enjoy snowfall and negative temperatures if you are into it.
What is the ideal trip length for a Darjeeling trip?
The ideal trip length for the Darjeeling trip would be 4-5 days. However, if you plan to go for a weekend getaway, you can also check out some of the important tourist attractions in two days.
Is Darjeeling safe for everyone?
Yes, Darjeeling is a safe tourist destination year-round for everyone.
