Tiger HIll
Tiger Hill is renowned for its spectacular early morning sunrise views, offering a panoramic sight of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga. Located 13 km from Darjeeling at 2,590 meters (8,482 feet), it is the summit of Ghoom. Tourists visit to see the sun illuminating the majestic, snowcapped peaks.
Padmaja Naidu HImalayan Zoological Park
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo), established in 1958, is the world’s highest zoo (7000+ feet). It specializes in conservation breeding of endangered Eastern Himalayan species like the Red Panda and Snow Leopard. Recognized internationally, it won the prestigious ‘Earth Heroes’ award in 2014. The zoo is closed on Thursdays.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was established in Darjeeling on November 4, 1954, by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. HMI promotes mountaineering as a sport and scientific pursuit. It is considered the premier mountaineering institute of South-east Asia and is called the Mecca of Indian Mountaineering. Tenzing Norgay was its first director of field training, and the institute trains people from across the globe.
Mahakal Temple
The Mahakal Temple in Darjeeling, on Observatory Hill, is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, showcasing harmonious coexistence. It stands on the site of the 1765 Dorjeling Monastery. The complex honors Mahakal (“Master of Time”) and features various temples, a Chorten, and beautiful views.
Batasia Loop
The Batasia Loop is a spiral railway commissioned in 1919 to lower the gradient of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Its importance lies in offering spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga and hosting a War Memorial. The memorial, sanctified in 1995, honors Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Nation since 1947
Japanese Peace Pagoda
The Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling is designed to unite people of all races and creeds in the search for world peace. Built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist monk from Japan, it was inaugurated in 1992. The Pagoda, located on the Jalapahar hills, houses the four avatars of Buddha, including Maitreya Buddha.
Lamahatta
Lamahatta is a peaceful eco-tourism village (6800 Ft.) near Darjeeling, developed in 2012. Its importance lies in offering a tranquil retreat with mesmerizing views of Mt. Kanchemjunga. Key features include pine forests, well-manicured gardens, and trekking routes to “jore pokhari,” making it an ideal nature getaway far from urban life.
Darjeeling HImalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), opened in 1881, is the most outstanding hill passenger railway. Proposed in 1878, it employed ingenious solutions like Loops and Z Reversals (Zigzags) to conquer steep mountainous terrain. This engineering marvel achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. (46 words)
Rock Garden
The Rock Garden (Barbotey) and Ganha Maya Park are Darjeeling attractions developed in the early 1990s to restore tourism following political disruption in the 1980s. Constructed by the Gorkha Hill Council, the multi-level sites feature natural rock arrangements, waterfalls, flowers, and lakes. Ganga Maya Park, located 3 km further down, also offers boating and Gorkha folk dances.
Tibetan Regujee Self Help Centre
Established in Darjeeling, India, in October 1959 following the Tibetan refugee crisis, the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre is a vital rehabilitation centre. Its importance lies in providing refuge, education, and care for the needy, while empowering lives and preserving cultural heritage through the main activity: the production of traditional Tibetan handicrafts.