Darjeeling
Darjeeling town (elevation 2,134 m) is
located on a spur with houses hugging the hillside.
The places to visit are:
Chowrasta, a wide promenade
atop a ridge lined with shops and restaurants Mall Road,
starting and splendid views
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological
Park which has the Siberian tiger, Himalayan black
bear, red panda, snow leopard and many other animal and
bird species, and the nearby snow leopard breeding
centre
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute,
a training centre for mountaineers which also houses the
Everest museum
Natural History Museum, with
its fine display of Himalayan wildlife. Observatory Hill
which has Hindu and Buddhist shrine
Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre,
a major center for the production of Tibetan carpets,
woodwork and leather goods.
Thupten Sangag Choling (Dali) and
Yiga - Choling(Ghoom) - the Buddhist monasteries of
Bhutan Busty .
Batasia Loop, a marvelous feat
of railway engineering Tiger Hill for its renowned
sunrise view over Kanchenjunga and the eastern
Himalayan.
Japanese Peace Pagoda,
established by the Japanese Buddhist order, Nipponzan
Myohoji; and Lloy's Botanical Garden which has a varied
collection of Himalayan flora.
Visitors can also stake a ride in
the Darjeeling - Rangit valley passenger cable car
or hop on the toy train which wheezes and winds all the
way from Siliguri to Darjeeling town via Kurseong.
KURSEONG
Kurseong( elevation 1,458 m) is a quaint little town
about 30 km to the south of Darjeeling on the way to
Siliguri. The market consists of rows of shops lining
the main road which is crisscrossed at several points by
the railway tracks of the toy train.
The places to visit here are :
Eagle's Crag which has a park
from where glorious views of Kanchenjunga on one side
and the southern plains on the can be taken in;
Dow Hill which has the forest
museum
Deer park a water reservoir,
all set amidst moss-laden conifers and Chimney, a
serene, open meadow.
MIRIK
Mirik (elevation 1,765 m approx) is another tiny hill
resort easily accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or
Darjeeling. The centerpiece of the town is the Sumendu
lake where boating under the serene gaze of Kanchenjunga
makes for a most relaxing pastime. Tameeta Danda and
Deosi Danda are two elevated points near the lake from
where the view all around is terrific. |