Darjeeling :The Queen Of Hills
Darjeeling is famous for its scenic beauty. Visitors on holiday in Darjeeling are sure to be amazed by the incredible range of flowers and plants including magnolias, rhododendron bushes, bamboo, ferns and pine trees on the hill slopes.
The green hills, rippling mountain streams and valleys are a beautiful sight. Darjeeling has been called the 'Queen of Hill Stations' and visitors on a Darjeeling holiday are likely to agree that this hill station merits its title.Darjeeling is famously known as the “Queen of the Hills” and is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. The cool climate of Darjeeling provides a delightfully different experience from most other parts of India. At approximately 7,000 feet (2,130 meters), the town nestled in the lap of the mighty Kanchenjunga (or Khangchendzonga) mountain is a mixture of old colonial charm, famous toy train (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway), bustling marketplaces and beautiful tea gardens.
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Darjeeling Fast Facts
- Population: 109,163
- Currency: Indian Rupee or Rs
- Languages Spoken: Nepali, Hindi, Tibetan, Bengali and English
- Electrical Voltage: 230-240V 50Hz
- Time Zones: GMT/UTC +5.5
- Country Dialing Code: +91
- Area Dialing Code: 0354. This number is prefixed to the local number when calling from outside of the Darjeeling area. International calls to Darjeeling does not usually need the prefix 0. Please check with your country’s telecom company.
- Weights & Measures: Metric
Main Tourist Attractions
DHIRDAM TEMPLE
Located near the Darjeeling Railway Station,Dhirdham Temple was built in 1939.The Temple was constructed by Rai Saheb Purna Bahadur Pradhan and the architect was Beg Raj Sakya.
Lord Shiv's statue outside the main temple depicts "Pancha Bakram Tri Netram" meaning five different facial expressions of Lord Shiv in different moods and the Third Eye. The style of the roof shows that of a Tibetan influence. Every morning Aarti is held at 8.00 am and at 6.00 pm in the evening.
TIGER HILL
Passing through primitive forests of Oak , Magnolia etc. with beautiful ferns ablaze with colour , adorning the hill-sides is the steeply ascending road to Senchal , running through Ghoom on its way to Tiger Hill , 11 kms from the town and at an elevation of 2,590m (8482 ft).
To the summit of this internationally famous 'Hill' journey - mountain and nature lovers to view the world's most majestic mountains- "Khang- Chen-Dzod-Nga" of mighty Kanchenjunga, the king of them all.
Mount Everest , 225 kms away rarely deigns to come out of the cloudy mists , with its two other peaks Mahakalu (27,769ft) and another peak on both sides.About 125 kms away is Tibet's Chomol Hari mountain , said to be the world's most beautiful peak.
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BATASIA LOOP AND WAR MEMORIAL
Aboard the ' Toy Train ' from Siliguri to Darjeeling just below Ghoom and 5 kms from Darjeeling is the Batasia Loop , an engineering marvel and feat.
Almost imperceptibly , the railway line negotiates a circle and descends 1,000 ft in altitude. The train's figure 8s and Z maneuvers are as picturesque as the flowers, streams and water - falls. At Batasia - windy place - one gets a grand view of the town of Darjeeling perched on the slopes of hills and Mt. Kanchenjunga in the background.
The War Memorial constructed in the memory of brave sons of Darjeeling who died in different actions since 1947 , is worth a visit. A glorious view of snowy peak and town can be seen from this place.
 
Barbotey Rock Garden
Situated 10 km from town, is a very attractive picnic spot with natural water falls. The Rock Garden was constructed by The Gorkha Hill Council Tourism Department. The road to the garden is a steep and winding one almost touching the plain. But the sight of the natural waterfall makes you forget all the pain and weariness.
Just below the Rock Garden is the recently constructed Gangamaiah park .Tourists enjoy the beauty of this park as much if not more than that of the Rock Garden. Taxis are easily available to reach you to this location. However local people prefer walking and usually go there for picnics. Outside the garden are available some lovely souvenirs of Darjeeling.
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MIRIK LAKE 
The newest hill-resort in West Bengal, Mirik is at an altitude of about 5,800 feet and almost midway on a 100 km alternative route between Darjeeling and Siliguri. Mirik is an excellent scenic spot, and Kanchenjunga is visible. The 335-acre site for the new tourist resort is shaped like a tiny valley. Within the valley, there is a level stretch of the five acres, rare in the hill areas of Darjeeling.
Along the west of this flat ground, there is a natural lake formation fed with perennial springs and rain water. Now, that the water here is impounded by construction of a weir, there is a 1.25 km long lake. The level stretch forms eastern bank of the lake, the western bank being hill slopes covered by a rich forest of about ten thousand Crypto Maria japonica trees.
Visitors from Darjeeling and Siliguri may however spend a day at Mirik profitably. Walks around the lake or along the numerous walks in the heavily forested ridges on the western bank view of sunrise or sunset from "Rameetay Dara", would all go to make a fine holiday.
For rest and food, the "Day-Centre" at the eastern bank has a comfortable lounge. Tea, Coffee and Snacks are available throughout the day. Visitors may also have lunch here.
Boating, fishing, beautification and overnight accommodation (Youth-Hostel and Tourist Cottages) etc. are ready to receive visitors. Construction of the water supply system and underground sewerage for the whole project area is complete by now.
Mt. Kunchenjunga: 
The view of Mt Kunchenjunga, on of the tallest mountains in the world, on a clear day as the sun shines on its snow-caped peak, is truly a breathtaking sight.
Enjoy seeing the scenic attractions of Darjeeling on an Incredible India Holiday in this beautiful hill
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