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Darjeeling the dream land of the
East, it has been a popular hill station since the
British period. The tourist flow to this place has
been increasing day by day. Due to the proximity
with three international borders, this place is
strategically very important.
The toy train coming from Siliguri is some thing
which is liked by the elders and the children
equally. The real fun in coming to Darjeeling is on
the toy train. It takes six to seven hours to cover
a distance of 82 kms and the slow speed gives you
enough time to watch and appreciate the beauty which
nature has provided it. This train passes through
the Forests, waterfalls, over deep valleys and
through the mountains and tunnels. |
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PLACES OF INTEREST
IN & AROUND DARJEELING |
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Tiger Hill |
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Tiger hills is the
highest point in the area which provides the most
exotic view of the Kanchenjunga peaks. From this
place the other peaks of the Eastern Himalayas can
be seen. On a clear day the sight of Mt.Everest is
just enthralling. |
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Ghoom Monastery |
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About 8 kms from
Darjeeling is the Ghoom Monastery. Here a very
beautiful statue of the Maitrayie Buddha (
prospective Buddha) is established. The Monastery
has also preserved some of the rare handwritten
Buddhist manuscripts. |
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Batasia Loop |
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Established in
1903, this natural history museum packs in its folds
a rich collection of fauna found in the Himalayas
and in Bengal. Among the attractions are included
the estuarine crocodiles. This unique museum also
has a good collection of butterflies. The mineral
forms of various stones are displayed in a very
attractive manner in the museum. |
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Senchal Lake |
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A scenic place
near the tiger hills. This place has popularly come
up as a picnic spot among the tourists. The lake
supplies drinking water to the town of Darjeeling. |
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Kanchenjunga View |
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From Darjeeling
one can have the best, uninterrupted view of the
worlds third highest peak. Bhan Bhakta Sarani
provides one of the enthralling views of these snow
capped peaks. The Chowrasta also gives you a good
sight to the Kanchenjunga peak. |
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Zoological Gardens |
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The zoo is
situated two kms form the main town. This zoological
garden houses some of the rare species of animals
and birds. This is only zoo in India having the
Siberian Tigers. Apart from these the rare Red Panda
is also there. The Snow Leopards, Great Grey Birds,
Snow Yaks are some the animals which are attracting
tourist in great numbers. The entry in the zoo is by
tickets which are also valid for the natural history
museum and the mountaineering institute & museum. |
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Snow Leopard
Breeding Programme |
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Nowadays the
zoologists and the environmental scientists are
trying to protect the endangered species by breeding
them in captivity. Following this trend is Kiran
Moktan who has devoted his life in breeding program
of snow leopards. The snow leopards are not known to
have bred in captivity but in this center thanks to
the efforts of Kiran Maktan these animals have given
birth in captivity. Snow leopards are animals who
have to be kept in large enclosures. Visitors are
allowed in the center but they have to watch the
animals in utter silence. |
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Botanical Gardens |
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This place is
worth a visit for its exotic and exclusive
collection of a variety of Himalayan plants, flowers
and orchids. This place is near the taxi stand. The
gardens also has a green house. |
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Tibetan Refugee
Self Help Center |
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In 1959 was
established a center for the refuges who had fled
Tibet with the Dalai Lama after the Chinese
invasion. This self help center has been developed
as workshop for the manufacture of handicrafts. The
fine and superb carpets, woollens, woodcarvings and
leather work form this center has been very popular
among the tourists. The money collected after the
sale of the products goes to the Tibetans who work
here. The variety Tibetan Curios on sale are also
attracting the visitors in a big way. This center
has established it self in the International
scenario as place for hard work, self esteem and
truth. |
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Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute & Museums |
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The Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute is on the West Jawahar
road. The institute runs courses for training
mountaineers as well as has the very good collection
of mountaineering equipments which have been used in
various mountaineering expeditions and other wise.
Specimens of Himalayan flora and fauna are also kept
here. The record of attempts made to conquer Mt.
Everest has been kept in the Mt.Everest Museum. The
institute also screens short films on
mountaineering. You can also view the Himalayan
peaks through the Zeiss Telescope given to the
Nepalese Maharaja by Hitler. Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
was the Director of this institute for many years
and he was cremated near the institute after his
death in 1986. Near the institute is Srabri which
gives a very good view of the Single valley and the
Kanchenjunga range. One can sit at Srabri and feel
the cool breeze from the valley. |
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Passenger Ropeway |
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Another tourist
attraction in Darjeeling has been the ropeway. This
was the first ropeway in India. It connects the
North point (7000 ft) to the Singla Bazaar (800 ft).
The rope covers a distance of 8 kms in 45 minutes.
The seats in the rope way is limited and it is
better to get the tickets in advance. The ropeway is
exciting and unique for any one visiting Darjeeling. |
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Chowrasta |
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This one of the
important shopping places in Darjeeling . Here the
Nehru Road and the Mall Road Intersect each other.
The snow capped peaks of Kanchenjunga are visible
from this place. Near Chowrata are several Hindu and
Buddhists temples. This place is over flowing with
foreign tourists. You can also enjoy a pony ride
form this place. |
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Kalimpong |
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Kalimpong is
within Darjeeling province and is a subdivision of
Darjeeling. It is a small but bustling town in the
Himalaya foothills of West Bengal Kalimpong is at an
altitude of 1250 meters. This bazaar town was
originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken
over by the British and finally it settled down with
West Bengal. |
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Kurseong |
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Kurseong is mid
way between Siliguri and Darjeeling. The way from
Darjeeling to Kurseong is generally open through out
the year. So, the toy train is not coming to
Siliguri then you can come up to Kurseong. This
place is equally beautiful and is full of natural
splendour. |
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Mirik |
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Mirik is 52 kms
from Siliguri and 55 kms from the nearest Airfield
of Bagdogra. Mirik is being developed as a new hill
station in the mountains. Mirik is surrounded by tea
estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations.
It has all the facilities to fulfill the needs of a
tourist. |
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