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Darjeeling, India
Darjeeling is one of India's most beloved hill stations, a town of steep terraced streets, colonial-era architecture, and world-famous tea gardens set against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayan range. The Chowrasta (Mall Road) is the pedestrian heart of town, a promenade where locals and visitors stroll, sip tea, and gaze at Kanchenjunga when the clouds clear. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage toy train, winds through the hills on narrow-gauge tracks built in the 1880s. The Happy Valley Tea Estate offers walking tours through manicured tea bushes with processing plant visits and tastings. Tiger Hill, about 11 kilometers from town, is the famous sunrise viewpoint where Kanchenjunga and sometimes distant Everest emerge from the dawn mist. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park breeds endangered red pandas and snow leopards. The Tibetan refugee self-help center produces traditional handicrafts and carpets.
explore by interest
Darjeeling is steep — the town climbs dramatically and walking involves constant uphills and downhills. Carry a warm layer as temperatures can drop quickly when clouds roll in.
October through November for the clearest Himalayan views, or March through May for spring flowers. The monsoon (June through September) brings heavy rain and limited visibility.