 The
town of Siliguri is the principle town in the region. This
is where you are most likely to start your tour from. Siliguri
on its own is not an attractive tourism destination, but it
is the most important and sensitive city in the entire Eastern
Himalayas due to its geographical location.
Siliguri is a fast growing modern cosmopolitan
and famous for three 'T's - Tea, Timber and Tourism.
Siliguri is well connected with the rest
of the country by rail, air and road. Bagdogra airport nearby
is the only airport catering to North Bengal and Sikkim
region. New Jalpaiguri rail station, the main railhead
for the region is just 8 km from Siliguri town. It is perhaps
the only station having all three types of rail track network
(broad gauge, meter gauge and narrow gauge) and directly connects
New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and most other important
cities of the country.
The main attraction of Siliguri for the
traveler is Hong Kong Market. The market although illegal
is popular with locals and tourists alike for the vast collection
of foreign goods.
Siliguri can also be called the city of Hotels and rickshaws
- a non-polluting manually pulled vehicle.
There are more than 200 hotels, some of
international standards like Sinclairs,
Cinderella,
Hotel Vinayak etc. More than 10,000 rickshaws ply in the city,
which are still the main means of communication.
Siliguri is the gateway to 8 northeastern
states and also Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Tibet. With
the Balason and Mahananda flowing through it, Siliguri is
not devoid of natural beauty. The distant view of Kanchenjunga
on clear day is very attractive. The forest-covered foothills
also present a panoramic sight. The myriad flora in the Terai
to the north and the agricultural flats, along with teagardens
to the south combine to form beautiful vistas, uncommon around
most other cities of India. Half an hours drive in any direction
from Siliguri will lead you to the natural environ, be it
hills, forests or teagardens. |
Gajoldoba on Tista Barrage: An
hour's drive from Siliguri through the Baikunthapur forests
will take you to Gajoldoba (25 km) an ideal place for bird
watchers.
The place has been a boon to the migratory
water fouls after a dam was constructed for irrigational purposes
on river Tista.The reservoir, surrounded by dense forests
of Baikunthapur, invites a large collection of water birds
from Ladakh and Central Asia. Spend some leisurely hours on
the spur with a binocular and watch the Brahmini ducks, Bar
headed goose, Poachards, Pintails, Shovlers, mallards, black
Ibis, and many species of storks, cormorants and ducks.
Fulbari barrage: 15 km from Siliguri
on Siliguri-Jalpaiguri
highway is lesser-known artificial water body - Fulbari. Here
Mahananda, the most important river of Siliguri forms a huge
marshy land which provides ideal nestling place for migratory
water fouls like Rudy shell, Mallard, open bull stork and
much more. Best time to visit the place is December - February.
 Shorea
Forest Recreation Center: Just 15 minutes drive on NH31
towards Gangtok lies a recently established eco-tourism center
- Shorea. The name has been derived from the botanical name
of Sal tree 'Shorea Rubusta' as the place is situated amidst
the dense high sal forests of Baikunthapur division of Mahananda
Wild Life Sanctuary. A unique tree top restaurant is built
by the forest department with help of the forest villagers
to provide a nice cool environment and delicious food to the
daily visitors.
Recreation Center (Madhuban):
A popular picnic spot and lover'spoint, Madhuban is 15 km
north of Siliguri on the way to Mirik-Siliguri
highway. A park is created on the natural environment of Mahananda
wild life sanctuary. A large number of city dwellers visit
the park, which also holds a small zoo inside.
Sevoke, Kalijhora, Mongpong: A popular
day out for tourists in Siliguri combines Sevok, Kalijhora
and Mongpong. The places
are within 8-10 km from one another and is about within 30
km from the city. Situated on the foothills of Kalimpong
and surrounded by forested hills and vast river basin, all
the three places provide a much desired break from the chaotic
urban life. The coronation bridge of Sevoke, built by the
British before independence, is a piece of unique architecture.
The sevoke kali temple, placed on top of a steep rock, provides
a grant bird eye view of Tista. Surrounded by Sal and Teak
forests, the Mongpong forest rest house presents a great panoramic
view of Tista valley and Mahananda forests.
Rohini : 25 kms on the way to Mirik Rohini
is another attractive tourist spot. There is a tourism accommodation
at Rohini where tourists can spend a night among the nature.
More
Dudhia : A common tourist
spot on the Siliguri-Mirik highway. more
Panighata and lohagarh: About 25 km from Siliguri,
both places are located on the bank of river Mechi on the
Indo-Nepal border. A nice camping place, with beautiful landscape
combining forests, low hills, rivers and teagardens. Dhulabari,
a famous foreign goods market in Nepal, is only half an hour
drive from here. |
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