From historical places to hill stations, West Bengal has been one of the best states, filled with rich culture and heritage, and for this reason, this state is on every travel enthusiast's travel list. Apart from exploring its cities like Kolkata and Howrah, you just cannot miss the beauty of its hill stations.
Yes, you heard it right! The hill stations of West Bengal are outstanding. The views you can get from the hill stations will leave you amazed! If you are struggling to find out which hill station you must visit,? Then look no further; here is a list of hill stations with incredible landscapes and peerless beauty.
Add these 5 hill stations to your explore list:
1. Darjeeling
Darjeeling, having an altitude of 2045m, is one of the most famous hill stations in West Bengal. There may be very few people who have not heard about this hill station because this hill station is the most visited hill station across the state.
There is absolutely no doubt why Darjeeling tea is so famous worldwide. The delightful fragrance of the tea leaves embracing the hills of Darjeeling leaves you with an ecstatic feeling. Especially, if you are fond of trekking and toy trains and if you are in love with exploring different types of tea, then this place is a must visit.
Wait, we didn’t talk about the views of Sandakhphu. Yes, you can actually catch a glimpse of Sandakphu from here. Just imagine waking up from sleep on a chilly morning and drinking coffee while gazing at a Sandakphu. It’s an ecstatic feeling.
- Best time to visit: April to June and October to December
- Places to visit: Tiger Hill, Kanchenjunga, Himalayan Railway, Batasia Loop, Happy Valley Tea Estate, Rock Garden, Mahakal Temple, Singalila National Park, Peace Pagoda, Mall Road.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport which is well-connected to most cities. After reaching the airport, you have to book a car to Darjeeling. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. From the station, various local cars are available that can reach you to Darjeeling.
2. Kalimpong
The neighboring hill station of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, is one of the popular hill destinations in West Bengal. This place is home to Buddhist monasteries, churches, and Tibetan handicrafts, giving it an old-town charm.
From taking a walk in the cactus garden to hiking up to the Deolo hills, and spending some peaceful time at the Durpin monastery, these are some of the things you can do in Kalimpong. In addition, this place is well known for producing superior quality cheese, which you can take back home.
- Best Time to visit: April to June and October to December
- Places to visit: Morgan House, Durpin Dara, Deolo Hill, Cactus Nursery, Lolegaon, Dr. Graham’s Home, Nimbong, Jhandi.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra. From there you can avail a local cab or taxi to reach Kalimpong. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. From NJP station, you can hire a cab to reach Kalimpong.
3. Kurseong
Kurseong is known as the “Land of White Orchids,” situated at an altitude of 1458 meters, and offers pleasant weather throughout the year. Most importantly, this place is home to many Buddhist temples, and churches.
Also, this place holds a history of 300-year old idols of Hindu gods, which attracts tourists to appreciate this place’s culture. You can visit the popular temples, churches, and museums and bring back some souvenirs.
- Best Time to visit: April to June and October to December
- Places to visit: Dowhill Deer Park, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, Ambrosia Shiv Mandir, Eagle’s Crag View Point, Forest Museum.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra. From there you can avail of a local cab or taxi to reach Kurseong. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. From NJP station, you can hire a cab to reach Kurseong.
4. Gangtok
Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, is a beloved tourist destination for people who want to explore Tibetan culture and enjoy some amazing natural views of mountains.
In Gangtok, you can experience the enchanting views of Tsomgo Lake. Not only that, you can also see various different sights, for example, Nathu La Pas, the Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Tashi viewpoint, Do Drul Chorten, and Singhik viewpoint. Furthermore, you can find a variety of monasteries where you can spend some time alone in tranquility.
- Best Time to visit: April to June and October to December
- Places to visit: Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake, Rumtek Monastery, Ganesh Tok, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra. From there you can avail a local cab or taxi to reach Kurseong. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. From NJP station, you can hire a cab to reach Kurseong.
5. Mirik
The list of the best hill stations in West Bengal will not be complete without mentioning the best one, Mirik. It is a well known small village in Darjeeling. This place has recently gotten so much attention due to its calming, natural beauty and soothing atmosphere.
If you haven’t experienced the beauty of this small village, you are definitely missing out on enjoying one of the best hill views. Besides, Mirik is a beloved place for honeymoon couples. What’s more? The main attraction of Mirik is Sumenu Lake, where you can go boating with your loved ones.
- Best Time to visit: April to June and October to December
- Places to visit: Mirik Lake, Pashupati Nagar, Orange Orchards, Bunkulung, Mirik Tea Gardens, Bokar Monastery, Rameetay Dhara.
- How to reach: The nearest airport is Bagdogra. From there you can avail a local cab or taxi to reach Kurseong. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. From NJP station, you can hire a cab to reach Kurseong.
So, these are all the popular hill destinations in West Bengal. If you are looking for a place where you can spend some quality time with your loved ones or if you want to escape from the chaos of city life, then these places are worth your visit, for sure.
