| Darjeeling City Tour Guide - West Bengal |
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Darjeeling Facts:
• Area 10.57 sq. km
• Population 73,062
• Altitude 2,134 m above sea level
• Languages Bengali, Nepali, Hindi, and English
• Best time to visit March-May and Sept-Nov
• STD Code 0354 |
Darjeeling - a picture perfect hill station sitting atop a ridge at 2134m is replete with Buddhist monasteries, trekking trails and awesome mountain views. People flock here to escape the heat and humidity of the plains and beat the stress of city life. The panoramic views of the snow clad peaks of the Himalayas are straight out of a postcard and provide a welcome relief from the dust and soot of urban India.
History
Darjeeling originally belonged to the independent state of Sikkim. Later in the eighteenth century, it was taken over by the Bhutanese and the Gurkhas. The British East India Company in its many annexes finally gained control of the town and developed its potential as a sanatorium, and a "rest and recreation" centre for the troops and a pass to Nepal and Tibet. Even today, the place is full of Sherpas, Gurkhas, Bhutias and Nepalis. |
How to get there
Air
The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 90 km away from Darjeeling. Bagdogra is connected to important cities of the country by domestic airlines.
Rail
Gwalior is on the Central Railway's main Delhi-Bombay and Delhi-Madras lines. Among other major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi Expresses connect Gwalior with Delhi and Agra.
Road
New Jalpaiguri /Siliguri are the rail head for all trains, except the toy train running to Darjeeling. Siliguri is connected to Calcutta and other parts of the country by train.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit this hill station is between April and June and September and December. The summer temperature hovers between 14° C and 8° Celsius and the winter temperatures fall to a freezing 6°C to 1° Celsius. So be sure carry woollens when you visit.
Special Event
Every 14 to 20 November, the Teesta Tea and Tourism Festival is held here with cultural performances, tea estate visits and organised tours, treks and walks around the region.
Shopping
Shop for Himalayan curios like thangkas, brass statues, jewellery, woodcarvings, woven fabrics, carpets and the famous Darjeeling tea.
Tourist Offices
The tourist office is below the Bellevue Hotel, Chowrasta. The officials are very helpful here. At the Foreigners’ registration office at Laden La road, one can obtain permits to go to Sikkim. There are two banks on the same road that exchange foreign currency and encash traveller’s cheques. The road also houses the post office. The Internet facility in the town is however slow and frustrating.
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