Darjeeling

• Hotels in Darjeeling
• How to Reach Darjeeling
• What to See in Darjeeling

For average Indians, Darjeeling is the first and foremost choice when it comes to choosing a hill station for holidays. Darjeeling is a clear winner- both in terms of popularity and scenic splendor. The convenience of connectivity, the exquisite natural beauty, the sight seeing options and the priceless memories to take back, make Darjeeling a natural choice for all tourists. A quaint hill station that came up during the British Rule in India and served as their summer retreat still remains timeless and has made a permanent place in the traveler's travelogue. Situated at an altitude of 6, 982 feet above the sea level, the hill town of Darjeeling is situated in the state of West Bengal.

Darjeeling serves as the headquarters of the Darjeeling district and is located in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region. More precisely, the town of Darjeeling is the primary town of the Sadar subdivision. Situated in the Darjeeling Jalpahar range which has its origin in the south from a place called Ghum, this picturesque hill town lies in the Lower Himalayas or the Siwalik Hills.

Interestingly enough, a beautiful place like Darjeeling has an unusual meaning to its name. The hill station derives its name from the culmination of two words- 'dorje' meaning thunderbolt and 'ling' referring to place. Putting the two words together forms Darjeeling which means "The Land of the Thunderbolt". Apart from the superb landscape, it is the sprawling tea gardens that rule the natural beauty of the place. Another thing that makes this hill station famous is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Nominated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the tea plantations and the railway that has made Darjeeling claim fame in the International scenario.

A soothing temperate climate makes Darjeeling an all time favorite among the tourists. For souvenirs, tourists can take back colorful carpets, woolen fabrics, intricate wood carving works, handicrafts, bamboo items and shiny jewellery pieces.

Darjeeling therefore has been and will remain to be the monarch of all hill stations.