SILIGURI - GATEWAY TO HILLS & WILDLIFE
SILIGURI, situated on the banks of rivers Mahananda and Teesta at the foot hills of the Himalayas is the most important town of north Bengal, and serves as the base for tourists to the hills of Darjeeling, Gangtok, Bhutan tour or nearby wildlife sanctuaries such as Jaldapara, Gorumara, Chilapata, Buxa in Dooars area.
Located 560 km north of Kolkata, Siliguri’s strategic location makes it the gateway of north-east India, as also the commercial hub of the location. While Siliguri too offers several tourist spots, it is also a significant trading and transportation hub and popularly referred to as tea, timber and tourism. The town hosts the third largest urban inhabitants of West Bengal, and with the migrant population from adjoining Sikkim, Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan, Siliguri has developed into a cosmopolitan culture of diverse beliefs and practices.
Touring the city, from Iskcon Temple, Salugara Monastery, Science Museum, lush green tea estates to Sevoke Kali Mandir, or Coronation Bridge or Dudhia, it would be an overwhelming experience. Moving around shopping malls such as Cosmos, City Centre or Vega Circle, or the famous Hong Kong market and the market on Hill Cart road can be equally fulfilling.
Siliguri, being the main transit point for the snow-capped hills, wildlife in Dooars and north-east states makes it one of the most important tourism junctions in India.
HOW TO REACH
Siliguri can be easily reached by rail, road and air.
New Jalpaiguri junction, referred to as ‘NJP’, is the most important railway station in Siliguri and the main gateway to north-east India. Long distance trains from all over the country reach this very important location. There is also a lesser important Siliguri junction station, about 3.6 km away from NJP where a number of long distance trains stop.
Road connectivity is equally good. A large number of private and government buses to Siliguri are available from nearby towns and adjoining states. There is also the very popular Kolkata-Siliguri, Patna-Siliguri, Guwahati-Siliguri Volvo services to name a few. All buses ply from Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus, about 6.5 km from NJP. That apart, shared cabs are a preferred option, which take you to the Siliguri bus station or NJP railway junction from different locations.
And those travelling by air have to reach Bagdogra, the airport of Siliguri, situated at a distance of 12 km from city centre. Adequate number of flights to Bagdogra are available from different cities of India.
Number of Days - Two Nights Best Time - October To March.
PLACES TO VISIT