Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a town and hill station in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, located in the eastern Himalayas near the Nepal border. Set at about 2,000 meters above sea level, it is known for its panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga, its temperate climate, and its tea industry. The town serves as the district’s administrative headquarters and is a major center for tourism and tea production.

Geographically, Darjeeling sits on rolling ridges of the Lesser Himalaya. Its climate is cool and temperate, with mild summers and cooler winters; the monsoon brings heavy rainfall in the season. The region supports extensive tea gardens and biodiversity surrounding the town.

Darjeeling was developed as a hill station by the British in the 19th century. Tea cultivation began during the mid-1800s and quickly became a defining industry. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, constructed in the late 19th century to connect Darjeeling with the plains, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Mountain Railways of India.

Economically, the area relies on tea production, tourism, and agriculture. Darjeeling tea carries a geographical indication (GI) tag. The population is diverse, with Nepali-speaking communities forming a majority alongside Bengali and other groups; Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, and colonial-era architecture reflect the region’s cultural mix.

Notable attractions include Tiger Hill for sunrise views, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and the surrounding tea estates and forested hills. The town also serves as a gateway to trekking routes in the Eastern Himalayas.