Showing 1-13 of 13 results
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Bengal Natural History Museum
The Bengal Natural History Museum , established in 1903, houses a mildewed and moth-eaten collection of Himalayan and Bengali species - try not to laugh at the stuffed crocodile. The museum is hidden away in a compound just off Bishop Eric Benjamin Rd.
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Bhutia Busty Gompa
Together, Darjeeling and Ghoom are home to a number of fascinating Buddhist monasteries. Probably the most scenic is Bhutia Busty Gompa, with Khangchendzonga providing a spectacular backdrop. The shrine originally stood on Observatory Hill, but was rebuilt in its present location by the chogyals of Sikkim in the 19th century. The gompa houses a fine gold-accented mural and the original copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, but permission is required to see it.
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Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, known affectionately as the Toy Train, made its first journey along its precipice-topping, 2ft-wide tracks in September 1881 and is one of the few hill railways still operating in India. It's even listed as a World Heritage site. Besides its regular diesel service to/from New Jalpaiguri and steam service to/from Kurseong, there are joy rides during high season that leave Darjeeling at and for a two-hour steam-powered return trip to Ghoom.
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Gorkha War Memorial
If you're travelling on the Toy Train, or walking back from Tiger Hill, look out for the scenic and sobering Gorkha war memorial where the train makes its famous Batasia Loop.
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Happy Valley Tea Estate
Happy Valley Tea Estate, below Hill Cart Rd, is worth visiting when the plucking and processing are in progress. March to May is the busiest time, but occasional plucking also occurs from June to November. An employee will whisk you through the aromatic factory and its various processes before politely demanding a tip - Rs20 from each visitor is appropriate. Take the turn-off 500m northwest of the Office of the District Magistrate, or take Lochnager Rd from Chowk Bazaar.
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Himalayan Nature Interpretation Centre
The Himalayan Nature Interpretation Centre in the middle of the zoo has tacky wildlife dioramas featuring the snow leopard and clouded leopard.
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Japanese Peace Pagoda
Perched on a hillside at the end of AJC Bose Rd is the gleaming white Japanese Peace Pagoda , one of more than 70 pagodas built by the Japanese Buddhist Nipponzan Myohoji organisation around the world. Drumming resonates through the forested grounds during their daily pujas (prayers). It's about a 35-minute walk from Clubside along Gandhi and AJC Bose Rds.
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Lloyd Botanical Gardens
The Lloyd Botanical Gardens contain an impressive collection of Himalayan plants, most famously orchids and rhododendrons, as well as temperate trees from around the world. It's a lovely respite from the bustle of central Darjeeling. Look for the magnificent wisterias planted in 1878, now escaping from their glasshouse. Follow the signs along Lochnager Rd from the Chowk Bazaar bus/jeep station. A map and guide is available from the park office.
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Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park was established in 1958 to study, conserve and preserve Himalayan fauna. This is one of India's better zoos and the animals are cared for by dedicated keepers. Housed within the rocky and forested environment is India's only collection of Siberian tigers, as well as Himalayan black bears, red pandas, snow leopards and Tibetan wolves. It also houses the Himalayan Nature Interpretation Centre, home to some wonderfully tacky dioramas.
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Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre
Established in 1959, the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre comprises a home for the aged, school, orphanage, clinic, gompa and craft workshops that produce carpets, woodcarvings, leatherwork and woollen items. There's also an interesting photographic exhibition portraying the establishment and workings of the centre.
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Tiger Hill
To set your eyes on a spectacular 250km stretch of Himalayan horizon, including Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8501m), Makalu (8475m), Khangchendzonga, Kabru (6691m) and Janu (7710m), rise early and get to Tiger Hill, 11km south of Darjeeling, above Ghoom.
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Train Station
Book tickets for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway at the Train station at least a day in advance.
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Yiga Choling Gompa
Yiga Choling Gompa , the region's most famous monastery, exudes a feeling of warmth that is not lost on most who visit here. First built in 1850, it enshrines a 5m-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha (Future Buddha) along with 300 of the most beautifully bound Tibetan texts. It's just west of Ghoom, about a 10-minute walk off Hill Cart Rd.
Showing 1-13 of 13 results
