India is an enigmatic land of culture and heritage whereas West Bengal is the art capital. Home to numerous natural wonders, vibrant festivities, delicious Bengali cuisines, and of course traditional Bengali musical and arts performances it truly is very different from the rest of India. It is a colorful Pandora's box of rich and enthralling experiences which is represented through their way of life and rustic ethnicity. Every step you take here will be filled with awe-inspiring charm in every nook and cranny. From its incredible history to mesmerizing folklore and mythologies blended with the latest technology and a modern way of life West Bengal is unique in every sense.
From going to the hills to checking out some amazing sightseeing destinations or simply letting the culture take over you, here are the top 10 tourist places to visit in West Bengal:
1. Digha
You may have heard about several beach towns in India but you may have not heard about this underrated magnificent quiet beach town tucked away in West Bengal. Digha is the perfect place to go for a family summer vacation time. Developed around a peaceful and quiet resort beach town it represents the natural beachside beauty of Bengal in full grandeur. In case you wish to escape to a place of sceneries with the minimum human presence this is the place to be.
Digha can be reached from Kolkata. Train services are available connecting the two towns. It takes a maximum of 3 hours to reach there.
2. Darjeeling
This queen of the Himalayas is all about mesmerizing vistas and scenic views. The untouched hills and pure air is what make this charming hill destination a must-visit. Surrounded by lush green tea plantations and rolling hills accompanied by magnificent sunrises it is a wholesome place to explore with your family and loved ones. Being visitable throughout the year it is a perfect getaway for a romantic honeymoon trip. Nestled amongst pristine hills you can explore it on the iconic toy train ride.
Darjeeling has no airport in the town but the nearest airport is Bagdogra which is 58 kms away from the main town. It can be reached via a taxi service.
3. Kalimpong
Nestled amidst the lush northern corner of Darjeeling is Kalimpong. Every solitude seeker’s paradise this place is a quiet getaway from the bustle of the towns. Dotted with crystal clear lakes and engulfed among the lush tropical gardens this place showcases the best of a Himalayan experience. when it comes to activities there is so much one can do! hike up to Deolo Hills, feel closer to nature at the cactus nursery, soak up the scenic views of Durpin Dara hills, and check out the local cuisines at a food walk.
Kalimpong is only reachable via road which also connects Sikkim and other cities of India. Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Kalimpong.
4. Durgapur
Also known as the steel capital of West Bengal Durgapur is the typical embodiment of a small Bengali town. Although tightly packed with people and located in the Burdwan district of West Bengal this place depicts the true meaning, culture, and heritage of Bengal. It represents the perfect blend of a small-town vibe with a developing metro. It is situated on the banks of river Damodar and is dotted with old marketplaces and delicious authentic Bengali cuisines.
Durgapur is situated 170 km away from the main city of Kolkata. Regular railway and bus service keeps this place connected to the rest of India. Kolkata is the nearest airport that connects to Durgapur.
5. Shantiniketan
Rabindranath Tagore is one of the most celebrated and legendary poets and storytellers of India. Shantiniketan is Tagore’s eternal abode. West Bengal is all about creating memorable experiences then a visit to this place is a must. Established in the year 1863 his place transformed into a university and a learning center for people with a creative bend. Every aspect and teaching here is modeled by Tagore himself based on the principles of humanism, internationalism, and a sustainable ecosystem.
The most convenient way to reach Shantiniketan is via a train ride to the nearest railway station which is just 2-3 kms away. From here on you can easily hire a cab or a taxi service up to the entrance of the university.
6. Sundarbans
This UNESCO world heritage site is known for being the biggest mangrove forest in the world. Sundarbans national park is also a tiger reserve as well as a biosphere reserve. Filled with roaring rivers and estuaries the main attraction here is the collection of royal Bengal tigers. Apart from the tiger population, you can also check out the range of crabs, boars, fowls, giant lizards, and crocodiles. When it comes to biosphere reserve there are over 64 varieties of mangroves. A fun place to explore, for nature lovers and offbeat explorers.
Canning is the nearest railway station to Sundarbans which is located at a distance of 48 kms. Gosaba is another nearest village connecting Sundarbans through a riverine waterway.
7. Mirik
Gracing the Himalayan valley is this valley of the sun. Located on the banks of a massive lake this hill town is a spectacular destination for a family getaway. You can go on a romantic boating experience, take long walks among the quiet hills, and go shopping for local and traditional items at the local marketplace. Complete with orange orchards and tea plantations you can never go wrong with Mirik. Waking up to the sound of nature and clean air will make your holiday experience in this part of West Bengal completely worth it.
The best way to reach Mirik is via a bus journey and the nearest airport is Bagdogra. The closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri.
8. Siliguri
Siliguri is known as the ‘gateway to the northeast’ due to its location in between the districts of Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Siliguri is mostly frequented by a plethora of visitors which is the reason an international airport was constructed here. Explorers and mountain lovers make their way to Siliguri on their quest to go further into the northeastern region of India. You will also be crossing Siliguri on your way to Gangtok, Bhutan, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong.
Jalpaiguri railway station is the nearest station to Siliguri and is located at a distance of 8 kms. It caters to trains from Delhi, Malda, Kolkata, etc.
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