India at a Glance
Romantic Places
Darjeeling is the most important and organized hill resort of Indian state of West Bengal. Darjeeling lies 686 kms from the plains of Kolkata perched at a height of 2134 meters with a backdrop of the mighty snow clad Himalayan Peaks. One can get a clear view of the world’s third mightiest and highest mountainous snow peaks, Kanchenjunga, from the town on a sunny day. The world's highest peak The Everest can also be seen from near the town. During the British Raj in India, Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station (hill town) for British residents to escape the heat of the plains during the summers, becoming known as the Summer Capital. Darjeeling is internationally famous for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The population's ethnic composition is closely linked with that of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim. The majority of the populace is of ethnic Nepali background. The best time to visit Darjeeling in India is from March-May or September-November. The rains which start by May end are heavy downpours making living conditions cold and dreary. In winter there is a drastic fall in temperature from the summer's 15 to 25 degrees centigrade to 2 to 10 degrees in winter.
While in Darjeeling it will be a unique experience to visit a nearby Tea Garden to watch the actual process of the manufacturing of Darjeeling Tea. You can even have the privilege of buying tea straight form the tea factory. There are about 70 tea gardens in this hill region and the most accessible one is the Happy Valley Tea Estate, which is about 3 kms from the town or within a walking distance of about 40 minutes. Perhaps the most charming experience in Darjeeling would be the train trip on the almost legendary 'Toy Train', which trudges up the hill from New Jalpaiguri all the way to Darjeeling. A vestige of the colonial rule when Memsahibs traveled on this train to Darjeeling, their summer retreat.
Darjeeling is a popular place among the tourists from the different regions of the country and is a lovely place to visit for the adventure and business travelers as well. Darjeeling was earlier the Gorkha capital until it caught the attention of the British Officers and they conceded it as the summer retreat. Darjeeling has also won accolade for the title of 'Queen of the Hill Stations'. The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra. The domestic airlines connect this place which is about 90 km from Darjeeling and 10 km from Siliguri. The rail connection to Darjeeling is Jalpaiguri from where one has to take the toy train in order to reach Darjeeling.
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