Settled in along the edge of a steep mountain ridge, Darjeeling is picturesque to say the least.

Surrounded by tea plantations and set against the dramatic landscape of the Himalayas, Darjeeling is without a doubt West Bengals greatest draw card. Explore the colonial heritage, or the Buddhist and Hindu temples, stunning gardens or let your adventurous side take over and enjoy some of the greatest treks India has to offer during your tour to Darjeeling.

Historical Significance in Darjeeling

Originally Darjeeling was just a cluster of villages that were administered by Nepal and Sikkim.  However from the 19th century it grew in prominence because of its climate and was leased by the British who turned it into a hill station and even later discovered it was perfect for growing tea. They annexed the area and Darjeeling officially became a part of British India. The Darjeeling Himalayan railroad was opened in 1881. which has now been turned into an UNESCO World heritage site.

Tourism in Darjeeling                 

A stunning victorian town was built among the foothills of the Himalayas and the remnants of which are still visible around Chowrasta. Darjeeling has remained a popular summer retreat for the people of  Kolkata. Many Tibetan refugees from moved here after Tibet was annexed by China, and there are also many Nepali and Bihari labourers who were brought here to work the tea plantations. Tourist can visit Tea Garden, in which they can observe the way famous Darjeeling tea is produced. Foreign travellers appreciate the cultural diversity, the stunning views and the many trekking options. While there, don’t forget to visit Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, dedicated to the Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, first people who conquered the Everest. Institute is also a museum, in which you can see items used in different expeditions, and a training ground for mountaineers. Darjeeling is also the best route to take when heading further on to Sikkim.

Cultural Darjeeling

There is an epically diverse population in Darjeeling and that makes for many local religious festivals to be planned for - Christmas, Diwali and Losar just to name a few.  But perhaps even more exciting is the Darjeeling carnival - a ten day carnival held annually during winter to portray the musical and cultural heritage of the city.

There is an emphasis on colonial architecture here in Darjeeling, along with several mock Tudor residences, gothic churches, the raj Bhawan - which was the government house, and Buddhist monasteries which show the pagoda style architecture.  Again all these go to show the absolute diversity of the area.

Singing and playing on musical instruments are a common passtime for many people in the area amongst the regular resident population and a traditional role of music in cultural life is emergent here.