Tourist Attractions You Must Visit In Darjeeling

Spring has sprung, and summer is on its way. If you're looking for a tourist destination with stunning views and fascinating culture, Darjeeling may just be the place for you.

Darjeeling is a famous hill station in the northern Indian state of West Bengal. Tourists from all over the world frequently travel to the city. Darjeeling is known as "The Queen Of Hill Stations" and "Scotland of the East."

Darjeeling has many great tourist attractions and sightseeing places. Nandan Park, Tiger Hill, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Singalila Park are the major tourist attractions in Darjeeling, driving thousands of tourists towards them every year. Apart from these places, there are other admirable tourist destinations that one must visit when it comes to Darjeeling.

10 Best Places to Visit in Darjeeling
 

1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - The 2 feet narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, often known as the DHR and affectionately referred to as the "Darjeeling Toy Train," travels between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal, India. Its 88-kilometre-long railway line was built between 1879 and 1881, and since then, riding on it has been a sought-after activity. The Darjeeling Toy Train travels through picturesque mountain scenery, passes through little towns with cheery youngsters waving at them, and offers magnificent views.

This historic railroad's construction took around two years to complete after starting in 1879. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 due to its significance as a well-known tourist attraction. Travelling aboard the toy train at Himalayan Railways Station is exciting and calming.

A trip on the toy train is the one activity you absolutely must do when visiting Darjeeling. It makes sense why it is at the top of Darjeeling's top tourist attractions list.
Location: New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling
Entry Fee:
- INR 600 for diesel engine ride
- INR 1,000 for steam engine rides
Timing: 8 AM to 12 PM

2. Tiger Hill - Tiger Hill, Darjeeling's most well-known mountain peak, is well-known for its trekking trails and expansive views of Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest. To get to Tiger Hill, one must either drive or walk through the oldest tea estates. It is advised to view the sun's first rays on Mount Everest. That will be a wonderfully rich experience, so don't forget to record it on camera.

This location's status as the highest railway station in Darjeeling and the peak of Ghoom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another intriguing feature. TigerHill is often best visited during February and April in the spring and October, November, and December in the winter.
Location: Senchal Forest, Senchal Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734123, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee. However, booking a cab to the hill costs about INR 1200 -1800.
Timing: From sunrise till sunset

3. Batasia Loop - The Batasia Loop, a lush green toy train loop designed to reduce the height of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, is perhaps one of the most gorgeous train tracks in all of Darjeeling. This beautiful attraction's distinctive design enables the track to loop around itself through a mountaintop tunnel. The Batasia Loop's unparalleled natural beauty is one of its most alluring features and is a pleasure to see. You may take a panoramic view of Darjeeling in all its lush splendor from Hill Cart Road (NH 55), which is nearby.

The Batasia Loop, located near Ghoom, about 5 kilometers from Darjeeling, was built to make it easier to travel around the region of Darjeeling. On one side, it also looks out over the snow-capped peaks of Kanchenjunga as it rises from among the verdant carpets of the alpine flora. After seeing the amazing dawn at Tiger Hill, you must journey along Batasia Loop since lovely flowers border the route. A revitalizing and enthralling experience that should not be missed is watching the train race past the white sky and further into the green splendor of the countryside.
Location: Ghum, West Point, Darjeeling 734102 India
Entry Fee: INR 15 per person
Timing: 5 AM to 8 PM

4. Sandakphu Trek - We apologize if we misled you into thinking Darjeeling is only a tourist destination. Due to Darjeeling's location in the Himalayan foothills, various fantastic hiking paths can be found nearby; Sandakphu is one of the most well-known treks in the region. Until you reach Sandakphu, located at 11,929 feet, the walk is of moderate difficulty and takes you through some beautiful scenery.

If you are an experienced trekker, this is arguably the best trek you can do in the area. On a clear day, you can get some magnificent vistas of the grandest Himalayan ranges since Sandakphu is the highest peak in West Bengal. A clear view of Mount Khangchendzonga is visible from the top.

Location: Begins at Manebhanjan, West Bengal

5. Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway - The Darjeeling ropeway offers the greatest views of this stunning hill station. One may observe Darjeeling's magnificence in all its splendor, from the stunning sceneries, verdant tea farms, thick green woods, breathtaking flora, and fauna, to the snow-capped Himalayan peaks of Everest and Kanchenjunga!
Since its establishment in 1968, the Ropeway has been a popular tourist destination. At a height of around 7,000 feet, there are about 16 cable cars, each of which can carry at least six passengers in luxury. From Singmari's North Point to the Singla Bazar, cable car travellers can take some breathtaking pictures of the town.
Location: Singamari, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734104
Price:
- INR 200 per adult
- INR 100 for children aged between 3 and 8 years
Timing:
- 10 AM to 4 PM (Winter and Monsoon)
- 10 AM to 2 PM (Summer and Autumn)

6. Ghoom Monastery - One of the best sights to view in Darjeeling is Ghoom Monastery, elevated at around 8,000 feet. It was founded in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso and is also known as Yiga Choeling. It is regarded as the oldest Tibet Monastery in Darjeeling.

The statue of Maitreya Buddha, which dominates the Monastery's main hall and is 15 feet tall, is its most famous feature. Because of its extensive collection of priceless Buddhist scriptures and archives, the location is also among the main tourist destinations in Darjeeling. The Monastery's walls, which are decorated with representations of Tibetan art and Buddhist teachings, are another appealing feature.

On top of the hill sits a temple dedicated to Ma Kali, frequently visited by those who wish to worship and get blessings.
Location: Ghoom, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102
Entry Fee: No entry fee. INR 10 for carrying a camera and INR 50 for taking a video shot
Timing: 9 AM to 6 PM (all days)

7. Rock Garden - One of the most picturesque spots to visit in Darjeeling is this well-liked picnic area. It is essentially a man-made garden whose beauty is enhanced by waterfalls, a lush green hillside, and flora and fauna.

Rock Garden is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Darjeeling. Many tourists come to observe its Chunar waterfall, a natural cascade that is fascinating to watch in its exquisite flow. A mountain stream that flows through the Garden also contributes to the relaxing atmosphere there. The summer is also the best time to visit the Garden since the area is dotted with lush, green trees and vibrant flowers.
Location: Rock Garden Road Bloomfield Tea Garden, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102
Entry Fee:
- INR 10 for Indians
- INR 50 for foreigners
Timing: 10 AM to 4 PM (all days)

8. Nightingale Park - Nightingale Park, a public park that draws a sizable stream of visitors all year round, is among the most popular attractions in Darjeeling. The beautiful Kanchenjunga's captivating views are the park's primary draw.

The area's lush green surroundings, which strongly vibrate your mind and spirit, are another incentive to visit. After visiting this location, you suddenly feel joyful and delighted.

Nightingale Park was once Sir Thomas Tartan's private courtyard and was once known as The Shrubbery. The park's other features include a massive monument of Lord Shiva, a colorful meadow, and a melodic fountain that would catch your attention. This shouldn't be a surprise that this park is among the top tourist destinations in Darjeeling.
Location: Richmond Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101
Entry Fee: INR 10 per person
Timing: 7 AM to 8 PM (all days)

9. Mahakal Temple - Located just outside Chowrasta, after a steep but short climb, you will reach the temple, and its worth the time and effort. This is a unique Indian temple where one can experience a peaceful co-existence of two religions (Hindu and Buddhist). It was built in 1782 by Lama Dorjey Rinzing and is perched atop the Observatory Hill. Legend has it that three Shiva-Lingas representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar (Shiva) manifested themselves at the site in 1782. The monastery itself was plundered and destroyed in 1815 during the Gorkha invasion after which it was shifted to Bhutia Busty about a mile away and was called the Bhutia Busty Monastery.

Location: Observatory Hill ,Chowrasta, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734101

Entry Fee: Free
 

Timing: 06:00 am - 6:00 pm (all days)

10. Japanese Peace Pagoda -  Located at a 10 minutes driving distance from the Darjeeling town centre, The Japanese Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling is not only a tourist attraction but also a place of spiritual significance and a symbol of peace. The Peace Pagoda that showcases four avatars of Lord Buddha & from the top of the Pagoda, you get a panoramic view of the Darjeeling landscape including the Kanchenjunga range.
 

Location: West Point, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102

Entry Fee: Free

Timing: 4:30am - 7pm (all days)

Darjeeling is a beautiful destination and here are Top 3 tips for a wonderful experience in Darjeeling-
 

1. Altitude Sickness: Darjeeling sits at a high altitude (around 2,000 meters). This can cause altitude sickness in some visitors, with symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue so do carry medicines as back up & be sure to stay hydrated to minimize the risk.

2. Unpredictable Weather: The weather in Darjeeling can be quite unpredictable. It can be foggy, rainy, or even cold at times, even during the peak season. Be sure to pack layers of clothing and an umbrella to be prepared for changes in weather.

3. Crowds & Traffic: Darjeeling is a popular tourist destination, especially during peak season (March-May and September-November) which can lead to crowded streets, attractions, and transportation. So do make advance bookings through a registered and reliable Travel Agent. The hilly terrain of Darjeeling can lead to congested roads, especially during peak season. If you are self driving to Darjeeling and are not used to hilly terrain do drive slow and ask locals for directions as google maps may not have accurate representations for some locations.

Where to stay in Darjeeling?
That's a common question you'll hear. The reason is, there are so many accommodation options in the Darjeeling hills: hotels, guest houses, and homestays. And they're all great! Of all the things you need to plan for your next holiday, finding the perfect place to stay should be a cinch. At OurGuest, you can access a wide variety of Homestays across Darjeeling.  Whether you are in Darjeeling for business or leisure, a village homestay in Darjeeling such as the Tea Village Homestay which ranges from 2500-3000 per night is a great option to save money and immerse yourself in the local culture. Browse through the OG list of homestays in Darjeeling and find the perfect stay for your perfect vacation with OurGuest.

 

Written by Pintso Gyatso: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Northeast India

Pintso, a native of Gangtok, Sikkim, isn't just a travel writer – he's a seasoned explorer. Years spent trekking and mountain biking across the region honed his intimate knowledge of Sikkim and Darjeeling's hidden treasures.

Co-founding OurGuest, Pintso's passion extends beyond travel. He champions sustainable tourism, working with local homestays and communities to create enriching experiences that benefit both travelers and the region. From building eco-lodges to collaborating with local guides, Pintso's expertise ensures you discover the authentic Northeast India, one adventure at a time.
 

For a customized tour experience you can contact us at +91-7669503993 or email to contact@ourguest.in