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DARJEELING
Darjeeling town (elevation 2,134 m) is located on a spur with
houses hugging the hillside.
The places to visit are
Chowrasta, a wide promenade atop a ridge lined with shops
and restaurants
Mall Road, starting and splendid views
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park which has the
Siberian tiger, Himalayan black bear, red panda, snow leopard
and many other animal and bird species, and the nearby snow
leopard breeding centre
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, a training centre for
mountaineers which also houses the Everest museum
Natural History Museum, with its fine display of
Himalayan wildlife.
Observatory Hill which has Hindu and Buddhist shrine
Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, a major center for the
production of Tibetan carpets, woodwork and leather goods.
Thupten Sangag Choling (Dali) and Yiga - Choling(Ghoom) -
the Buddhist monasteries of Bhutan Busty
Batasia Loop, a marvelous feat of railway engineering
Tiger Hill for its renowned sunrise view over Kanchenjunga and
the eastern Himalayan.
Japanese Peace Pagoda, established by the Japanese
Buddhist order, Nipponzan Myohoji; and Lloy's Botanical Garden
which has a varied collection of Himalayan flora.
Visitors can also stake a ride in the Darjeeling - Rangit valley
passenger cable car or hop on the toy train which wheezes and
winds all the way from Siliguri to Darjeeling town via Kurseong.
KURSEONG
Kurseong( elevation 1,458 m) is a quaint little town about 30 km
to the south of Darjeeling on the way to Siliguri. The market
consists of rows of shops lining the main road which is
crisscrossed at several points by the railway tracks of the toy
train.
The places to visit here are
Eagle's Crag which has a park from where glorious views
of Kanchenjunga on one side and the southern plains on the can
be taken in;
Dow Hill which has the forest museum
Deer park a water reservoir, all set amidst moss-laden
conifers and Chimney, a serene, open meadow.
MIRIK
Mirik (elevation 1,765 m approx) is another tiny hill resort
easily accessible from Siliguri, Kurseong or Darjeeling. The
centerpiece of the town is the Sumendu lake where boating under
the serene gaze of Kanchenjunga makes for a most relaxing
pastime. Tameeta Danda and Deosi Danda are two elevated points
near the lake from where the view all around is terrific.
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