Until the early part of the eighteenth century, Darjeeling was under the king of Sikkim. Later Gorkhas invaded the region and annexed the area, which they eventually lost to British. The British used the place to escape the heat and found the strategic importance of the area. They, hence, developed the area as a hill station and tea-growing area. Darjeeling is well known for its tea industry and eco-tourism.
Darjeeling is thought to be derived from the word Dorjeeling, which literally means 'the place of Dorjee' the majestic thunderbolt. Some believe that the thunderbolt belongs to the Lamaist religion and some believe that it belongs to Lord Indra.
Timber, tea, and tourism underpin the economy of Darjeeling. The tea plantations were originally developed by the British. Oranges and cardamom are also available in plenty. Traditional arts and crafts of Tibet and Sikkim are the products available for shopping. Traditional Tibetan and Sikkimese food as well as other Indian cuisines are available.
Rain can be expected any time in a year. Summer and spring are the two seasons most popular with the visitors. Darjeeling is a famous destination for Bollywood and Bengali film shooting.
The most popular and ubiquitous mode of transport is a four-wheel drive. Land rovers, especially, are the choice of tourists. They can easily serpentine through the steep and sometimes narrow roads of the hill.
Several local festivals are celebrated throughout the year. The festivals are colorful and the visitor should ensure that they are in Darjeeling to take part in the celebrations of one of these festivals.
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by Madhav Srinivasan on Jan 30, 2012
There is no other feeling that fills the heart with happiness and warmth and a sense of safety and comfort than Love. What could be better than having a day that celebrates as day of Love between intimate companions?
by Madhav Srinivasan on Nov 14, 2011
Darjeeling is paradise on earth. The city has been a major place for tea plantations since the last 150 years. Its scenic landscape, enthralling mountain ranges and vast tea gardens entice scores of tourists each year.
by Shwetha on Sep 20, 2010
Backpacking in India gives the traveler a chance to discover the local cuisine, know the locals and their way of life, which is perhaps the ideal way to discover all that a place has to offer!
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Feb 14, 2012 12:06 PM
There is no other feeling that fills the heart with happiness and warmth and a sense of safety and comfort than Love. What could be better than having a day that celebrates as day of Love between intimate companions?
Travel within city
Darjeeling is a popular tourist place and it has a few inter- city transport options. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra near Silguri which is around 96 km from the city. Siliguri is the closest town which has railway station and there are many options to reach Darjeeling from Siliguri. Shared taxi and shared jeeps are the main mode of transport from Siliguri to Darjeeling. They usually cost around Rs 120 and can take up to 10 people. Tourist can also reach Darjeeling by bus. There are regular bus services from Silguri. The best options for local travel in Darjeeling are either on foot or by shared jeep.
Shared Jeep
Shared jeeps are available extensively through Darjeeling. These are the cheapest and easiest way to travel around the city. They are available in the main areas and cost between Rs 10 to 20.
Taxi
Taxis are also available from the taxi stand near the mall. This is also a good option as they are comfortable and are useful for day trips. They charge around Rs 750 for day trips to nearby places.
On Foot
The best option to visit the various sites in Darjeeling is on foot. The steep roads and rocky terrain are best accessed on foot.
Hotels
You can find 73 hotels in Darjeeling under following categories:
Blogs
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