Darjeeling is nearly seven-hundred kilometers north of Kolkata (Calcutta). Before it was acquired by the East India Company in 1835, it formed a part of Sikkim and, for a short period, of Nepal. It was used as a summer resort for British officers to escape the heat of the plains, and when it came to geography, Darjeeling was seen at that time as the most convenient place from which to gain easy access not only to Nepal but also Bhutan. When India gained independence in 1947, Darjeeling was merged with West Bengal.
Today, the two biggest contributors to Darjeeling's economy are the tea industry and tourism. It's an excellent place to observe Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights and Losar — the Tibetan New Year. The local culture can be described as colorful due to the assortment of people who live here. There is a strong Tibetan influence because of Darjeeling's close proximity to that region. The rest of the population is made up of Bengalis, Nepalis, Gurungs and a smaller number of Lepchas, the original inhabitants of this area. Here are some of the biggest attractions for visitors to Darjeeling.
Tiger Hill
A view of a spectacular sunrise isn't the only thing visitors will get here. It has earned international fame as the place from which tourists can see Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain. On a clear day, Mt. Everest is visible next to its shorter counterpart Mt. Makalu — located fourteen miles to the east of Everest. Tiger Hill stands at 2,590 meters and is eleven kilometers from the town of Darjeeling. To get there, visitors can hire a private jeep or taxi.
Mirik and Sumendu Lake
The major attraction here is the man made Sumendu Lake, from which it's also possible to catch a glimpse of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Fifty kilometers from Darjeeling and situated at 5,800 feet above sea level, Mirik is sparsely populated and is a major attraction because of the numerous fruit orchards and tea gardens. The cardamom plantations add more beauty to the area. It's best to visit either in May or September, when temperatures rarely go above thirty degrees Celsius and rainfall is minimal.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Sir Edmund Hillary's and Tenzing Norgay's successful ascent of Mt. Everest was what sparked a new interest — and a new respect — for mountaineering. With the impetus provided by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, the institute was founded in November 1954. Along with the techniques of climbing mountains and the required equipment, the museum presents a chronological history of Himalayan expeditions since the 1850s. Written documents detailing attempts to conquer Mt. Everest and other mighty Himalayan peaks, successful and otherwise, are on display.
The Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center
This was established for refugees who had fled the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959. The center is a workshop for the production of handicrafts. Beautiful Tibetan carpets, woodcarvings and leather/woolen items are the things that keep a steady flow of tourists coming to this site.
How to Get to Darjeeling
Bagdogra airport, which is ninety-six kilometers from Darjeeling, has connections to New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and other major cities. Visitors who arrive in Bagdogra by air can also catch a taxi, and then go to the New Jalpaiguri train station near the town of Siliguri. From there it's possible to take the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which has been affectionately nicknamed the Toy Train, all the way up to Darjeeling itself. As the elevation rises it will get cooler, so tourists should bring warm clothes.
Scott Hayden - Since joining Suite101 in early 2007, I've contributed articles about travel, history and health. My speciality is writing about workplace ...
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