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Places to Visit near Darjeeling

Gangtok, the exotic capital city of Sikkim, is a Buddhist haven. In sync with the Zen philosophy that divinity can only make its way through clear and clean surroundings, Gangtok is an epitome of neatness and is one of the few such places in India. The stunning panoramic views of the snow-capped Mount Kanchenjunga, only add to the Gangokian environs. Offering the best tourist places in Gangtok, this place is also famous for its distinct cuisine, of which Momos and Kinema, are an excellent example. Gangtok is a city of great food, atmospheric sceneries and beautiful Buddhist monasteries, which include Rumtek and Enchey. It has great potential for sightseeing as well, including the Nathu La Pass and Tsomgo Lake. Gangtok is also a testament to the unique fashion sense of the North East. The folks here are known to have a keen sense of style and have a totally refreshing way of wearing the most casual outfits. Gangtok also has a very folksy and indie live-music sentiment. Finally, the people make the place and it is the helpful and friendly citizens of Gangtok, who are true exemplars of the principles of the Buddhist lifestyle.   

Situated in the eastern Himalayan range, state capital Gangtok combines a modern, resort town style with ancient spiritual beliefs and an impressive natural heritage. Mountain views act as the backdrop to holidays in Gangtok, where much of the focus also lies on the monasteries, shrines, and temples of this old center of Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage. Local delicacies such as momo (stuffed dumplings) also link Gangtok to Tibet. Use Gangtok as your gateway for exploring the state and beyond, with tour operators offering a number of day excursions and longer trips. To know more about the best tourist places in Gangtok, read below:

A quaint town at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges, Siliguri is a postcard-perfect amalgamation of urban culture and natural beauty. The picturesque city is endowed with the best of nature, full to the brim with its rolling green tea gardens and the snow-clad Himalayan mountaintops peeking into the horizon at a distance.

Owing to its rich wildlife population, tourism in Siliguri is synonymous with its wildlife safari facilities. The vast Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary, sprawling between the banks of Teesta and Mahananda, is home to a number of species of animals and birds, and also provides its guests ample opportunities for trekking and bird watching. The sanctuary also houses the North Bengal Wild Animals Park, where tourists can avail jeep rides to watch the animals play and be in their natural habitats.

A major tourist attraction in Siliguri is the Salugara Monastery, famous for its 100-feet stupa built by Tibetan Buddhist Monks. The monastery, known as The Great International Tashi Gomang Stupa, is situated only 6 kms away from the main town and houses five major Buddhist relics, making it one of the most popular Buddhist monasteries in the world. Siliguri, however, is not negligent to other faiths. One can also find here the magnificent ISKCON temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, and Kali Mandir which welcomes a number of pilgrims each year.

If one is looking to shop in Siliguri, the Hong Kong market on Hill Cart Road is the place to go. A flea market selling goods at a fairly cheap rate, the Hong Kong market is a popular go-to place for tourists and is thronged by shoppers throughout the year.

The best time to visit Siliguri would be during the winter months between November and February when the weather is fairly cold and outdoor activities such as trekking, safaris, and bird-watching can be enjoyed in a humidity-free atmosphere.

Siliguri is well connected to all nearby cities in West Bengal by road and rail. The Siliguri railway station is the main junction of the town. The Darjeeling-Himalayan toy train, a world-famous attraction, can be availed from Siliguri junction if one desires to travel to Darjeeling from here. The nearest airport to Siliguri is the Bagdogra airport, from whence one may avail buses or cars to reach the place.

Pelling is a small town situated in the hills in West Sikkim, 7,200 feet above the sea level. Despite being one of the lesser-known towns in the area, it is slowly gaining attention as a popular tourist destination. 

Pelling is a dream destination for trekkers, nature lovers, bird-watchers and serenity seekers. The city is dotted with heritage structures like ancient monasteries and breath-taking waterfalls like the Kanchenjunga falls, the Rimbi Waterfall and the Changey Waterfall. The Sanga Choeling Monastery and the Pemayangtse Monastery are the two of the main monasteries in the area that one must visit for their heritage and architectural significance when they are in Pelling. 

Pelling is easily accessible from both Gangtok and Darjeeling. It is located at a distance of 131 km from Gangtok and 73.9 km from Darjeeling. The nearest airport is the Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri from where one can hire buses and cars to reach Pelling. You can also hire buses that leave at frequent intervals from Gangtok and Siliguri that pass through Pelling. 

The best time to visit Pelling is between December to May, which consists of winter, spring, and summer. During December, the temperature drops down to -5 degrees Celsius, allowing the tourists to take advantage of the snow and enjoy sports like the snow-skating. The summers are equally vibrant, with temperatures remaining cool throughout the day and different kinds of flowers filling up the valleys in the area. 

The main language spoken here is Sikkimese, but Nepali and Hindi are also spoken fluently by the locals. The cuisine here is mainly north-Eastern and several local shops sell delicacies that are a speciality of this place. The town is well-equipped with multiple hotels and restaurants to ensure a comfortable stay for the tourists. 

The gateway to the northeast and the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the region, Guwahati serves as the starting block for the other seven sisters locations . This featureless city – a prosaic heap of glass and concrete for the most part – is a blend of old and new sights but there are a scattering of interesting temples to explore, when it comes to tourist places in Guwahati. Walk its back alleys and old quarters to  click some timeless picture and you will be able to salvage a generous amount of local flavour that lingers amid its suburban sprawl of ponds, palm trees, small single-storey traditional houses and old colonial-era mansions.It is located on the south bank of the river Brahmaputra and is the largest city of Assam and Northeast. The place has many ancient temples and is also known as the ‘city of temples’ in Northeast India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kamakhya an incarnation of Sati. It is on Nilachal hill, says the Shiva Purana, which the yoni or creative organ of Sati fell when Vishnu, in a bid to save the world from the Shiva’s tandava nritya or dance of destruction, cut her dead body into 51 pieces with his sudarshan chakra. Other ancient temples located in the city are Navagraha temple, Umananda temple which is tucked on an island on the river Brahmaputra, Balaji Temple; you can also visit the state Zoo.

The British legacy is still visible in the architecture and food habits of the population. The place serves as the starting block to getaways like Meghalaya, Kaziranga National Park, Kohima, Imphal, Tawang, Mawlynnong, Bhalukpong, Dirang, Bomdila, Tezpur etc.  Northeast is a hidden treasure of India and if you really want to explore the best of India then do not miss this region with exceptional vistas, phenomenal cultural differences in each state and a the unaltered Himalayas with some of the highest peaks in the world. The tourist places in Guwahati are indeed is a place for every traveling soul to visit once.

An abode of clouds, the rolling hills around the town and the hill station of one of the smallest states of India, Meghalaya. With the best places to visit in Shillong, it is geography synonymous to heaven, is the painting hung on your drawing-room wall, a collage of memories yet to be lived.

This prepossessing land is a beauty that floats on high over vales and hills, where the tall pine trees are seen fluttering and dancing in the breeze, and the clouds find a space along the margins of a hill unfolding the enchanting blue sky. The mystique land perched on an escarpment is more than enough to leave your imagination spell-bound.

The capital city of the state Meghalaya - a perfect blend of old charm and fresh essence, this bliss of solitude carries a number of things like falls, parks, peaks, landscapes and museums to keep a traveller’s head tossing in sprightly dance.

With the best places to visit in Shillong, this surprising holiday destination will make you forget to stop the shutters of your cam. The god’s honest harvest is ready to find a space among the favourites in your travel diary.