Whenever our wandering souls think of north Bengal and hills, the first name that comes to our mind is the Queen of Hills, Darjeeling. Before going there, let us reminiscence a bit. The Britishers, during their rule in India, designed this hill-station as a cool refuge from the scorching summer heat of this country. The cool weather, natural beauty, warmth of the local people, and the historical architectures made by the British, together provided a different edge to Darjeeling. Among those, toy train, ropeway, British bungalow, post office, Roy villa (Sister Nivedita’s House), church, Hill Cart Road, and the world’s highest railway station, Ghum are still present. Despite the presence of all these things, present-day Darjeeling is somewhat pale with business engagements, roadblocks, and artificiality. But come let’s see how our very familiar Darjeeling is.

First, let’s visit some historic places, like churches, tea-estates, ropeway, and toy train. Most of the tea-estates (86), from where the world-famous Darjeeling tea leaves are plucked are located here. The church and the bungalow carry the patterns of British architecture even today. The oldest post-office here has been declared as a heritage site by UNESCO. The tea gardens and the green valley can be enjoyed up from the ancient and longest ropeway. The joy ride in a toy train is also enjoyable for anyone. On the way from Darjeeling station to Ghum, a short halt at the Batasia Loop gives a chance to soak in the beauty of the hills. Batasia Loop looks beautiful, from both the train and the hilltop and if the sky stays clear, the majestic Kanchenjunga can also be seen from here. During the halt, no one can resist the urge to click pictures here. Thus the local people here (on business grounds), provide the tourists with a local attire and tea plucking baskets to click a picture to remember. But the best thing to do here is to see the Kanchenjunga and its surrounding peaks through the telescope installed here (on business grounds). This place is very beautifully decorated as if a terrace has been made by cutting down the top of a hill. A beautiful garden with various colorful flowers makes the place more attractive. Then the return journey commences to Darjeeling via Ghum.

With a decent amount of time in hand, one can visit the famous zoo here, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (H.M.I.), Botanical Garden, Peace Pagoda, Japanese Temple, Nightingale Park, Rock Garden, and Ganga Maiya Park. The Zoo is home to various hilly birds and animals and they are well kept here. The museum is quite astonishing as it shows, how much-limited equipment, Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first explorers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The museum is located just in front of Tenzing Norgay. The Botanical Garden presents an array of hilly trees, rhododendrons, and cactuses and one should visit if they have the strength to walk a great length. On the upper part of a waterfall, is the Rock Garden and on the lower part is the Ganga Maiya Park. If the weather allows, the cultural event at Nightingale Park can also be watched. Though it is a mixture of tradition and modernity, it is still enjoyable.

With the name, Darjeeling comes the name of Tiger Hill. Watching the sunrise from this point, 11Kms from the city is a matter of luck and that is true to some extent. One has to get up in the middle of the night to get ready and arrive at this place just to wait there with endless hope, for the first ray of sunlight. Which will fall on the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga and its surrounding ranges and the show of colors will begin. The sunrays playing over the white peaks are sure to dazzle eyes and stay in the mind for a lifetime. Though sunrise can be often seen from here, the show of colors is rare. Sometimes, to people’s disappointment, even the sunrise cannot be seen from here due to weather conditions. Nature has its own course in which mere human beings are incapable of intervention. On the way back, Ghum Railway Station, Ghum Monastery, and Batasia Loop can be visited.

Another attraction of Darjeeling is its Mall. The area is enclosed with railings on the sides and though it always remains crowded with tourists, local people, and stalls, children can run around here and can even enjoy horseback rides. No vehicles are allowed within this area. People sit here with their cups of tea and chat away their time. One can even walk aimlessly and reach Mahakal Temple and Observatory Hill Top from here.

Being a known name to the world, Darjeeling receives tourists from every corner of the world. Hotels of various price ranges and amenities are available here and equally diverse foods are also available. Though a bit out of place, Big Bazaar and Inox can also be found here as a sign of modernity.

Darjeeling can be reached by reserved car or a shared cab, via N.J.P. or Siliguri. There are also frequent bus services. Though the beauty of the winding hilly roads mesmerizes on the way to Darjeeling, the confusing traffic congestion on the entry and exit point of the city can trigger annoyance.

Even after visiting Darjeeling with much hope, something essential will still seem to remain missing from this beautiful historical site, its quiet deserted Mall, its nature, and the integrity of the local people. But from personal experience, it can be said that whatever lack that can be found here, can be fulfilled by visiting a few places nearby. Nature can be embraced and felt more closely from these places, like Khopi Dara, Palmajua, Dhotrey, Srikhola, Sitong, Turuk, etc. A single-day trip to Kurseong can also quench the thirst for good old days.