Darjeeling: Gardens, Railway and Himalayan Wildlife

Darjeeling offers several points of interest for a trip: Lloyd’s Botanical Garden, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the public square Chowrasta and the Himalayan wildlife at the zoo. Nearby, a Buddhist shrine with classical Japanese architecture adds another dimension. If you’re looking for a hotel in Darjeeling, these themes can help you narrow down your travel interests. Garden culture, the railway, public spaces and wildlife each offer a different focus.

Garden Culture and History

Lloyd’s Botanical Garden was established in Darjeeling in 1878 on 40 acres (160,000 m²) of acquired land. It was created as a botanical garden and an outpost of the Calcutta Botanical Garden. This connection makes the site both a garden and part of a botanical institution associated with Calcutta. For travelers interested in garden culture, both its botanical function and its historical institutional relationship are part of the garden’s character.

Railway and Public Spaces

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs tourist trains daily from Darjeeling to Ghum. Ghum is India’s highest railway station. The train connection offers a distinct focus alongside the garden and public square. Before your trip, check whether the tourist trains are currently running.

Chowrasta is a historic public square on the ridge of the Darjeeling hill range. Residents gather there, relax or go for a walk. Unlike the train journey to Ghum, the focus here is the square itself, not a destination along a route. Its use by residents connects Chowrasta with the town’s public life. For travelers interested in historic squares, it offers a distinct glimpse of everyday life in Darjeeling.

Architecture and Himalayan Wildlife

Near Darjeeling, the shrine also known as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple stands on Jalapahar Hill. It was built in 1972 and is a ten-minute journey from Darjeeling town center. The white building features classical Japanese architecture. If you’re interested in religious buildings, the shrine provides an architectural highlight alongside Darjeeling’s public and botanical sites.

The zoo in Darjeeling’s Birch Hill neighborhood was established on August 14, 1958, under the Education Department of the Government of West Bengal to study and protect Himalayan wildlife. It is also known as the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park. Animals kept there include snow leopards, pandas, gorals (mountain goats) and Siberian tigers; the park is also home to various endangered bird species. Animal populations can change over time.

Two Nature Themes

Lloyd’s Botanical Garden represents botanical garden culture and its historical connection to the Calcutta Botanical Garden; the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park focuses on Himalayan wildlife and its protection. If you’re weighing up garden and wildlife interests for your trip, the two nature themes are clearly distinct.

Discover more destinations: Singel Tea Garden, Jhalong, Hum Tukdah Khasmahal, Shiliguri, Rangli Rangliot, Westnar Forest, Tukdh Tea Garden, Sittong.

For the main travel overview: Darjeeling.