Sightseeing in Jalpaiguri
The land of “Tea, Timber and Tourism”, Jalpaiguri is replete
with numerous tourist spots which entertain visitors throughout the year. A land of extraordinary natural beauty,
wildlife, diverse ethnic groups with their cultural heritage, ancient history as well as several places of religious importance, Jalpaiguri is
a treasure trove of tourist potential. Whether you want to tour Jalpaiguri city
in one day or are willing to have a weeklong vacation, there are ample tourist
attractions to keep you entertained.
One Day Sightseeing in Jalpaiguri
There are several extraordinary tourist spots within the
city of Jalpaiguri which you can visit in one day. Some of them are:
Teesta Udyan
Teesta Udyan in Jalpaiguri city
Jalpaiguri Rajbari
The erstwhile home of the local Raikat rulers of Baikunthapur
estate, the Jalpaiguri Rajbari is a major sightseeing option for all tourists
who visit Jalpaiguri city. The Rajbari Palace of Jalpaiguri is an architectural
marvel and boasts of a palace gate which is a huge unenforced concrete
structure. The entire structure consists
of a palace building, two temples, portico, and a garden adorned by a pond or
the “rajbari dighi”.
Sarojendra Deb Raikat Kala Kendra
This art gallery is a must visit for all art lovers as well
as casual tourists who tour Jalpaiguri.
The Sarojendra Deb Raikat Kala Kendra
reveals the astonishingly rich historical art of Jalpaiguri displaying in its
exhibitions the ancient history of the region.
It is situated right across the
city’s town club on N.S.C. Bose Road on the Karala River’s right bank.
Jogomaya Kalibari
Jogomaya Kalibari in Jalpaiguri
The Jogomaya Kalibari is one of the most important religious
spots In Jalpaiguri. Situated in Temple Street, it is dedicated to the Goddess
Kali. Besides the worship of the deity
who is believed to be very powerful, worshippers flock to the temple to pay their obeisance
to the Baba Loknath shrine. Tourists
coming to Jalpaiguri always visit this temple especially during the Kali Puja
celebrations.
Jubilee Park
One of the most prominent tourist attractions of Jalpaiguri
city is the Jubilee Park located on the banks of the Teesta River.
It is
popularly known as a lover’s hangout. It’s beautiful natural surroundings with
the lush greenery of the park, the cool breeze and views of the Teesta River
makes it another favourite haunt for picnicking and chilling out.
Both tourists
to the city as well as local population come to the park to enjoy the serenity
and natural beauty of the park.
River Karala
All visitors to Jalpaiguri must take time out to have a leisurely walk along
the banks of the Karala River, popularly known as the “Thames of Jalpaiguri”. The river
bisects the city into two parts and has given the local population and tourists
some beautiful natural spots to enjoy and admire the scenic beauty of the
place. There is also a boat ride along the River Karala up till its confluence with
the Teesta River from where you can get a panoramic view of the entire city and
its busy life. Undoubtedly this will be one of the high water marks of your
tour!
One Day Outing Near Jalpaiguri
The entire district of Jalpaiguri is heavily dotted with
tourist attractions of natural & wildlife, religious and cultural
importance. Some of the important places
which you can incorporate in your one day outing tours include:
Murti
River Murti (Source: flickr)
Situated beside the Murti River, this place is a base point
for travelling in the entire Dooars region. The Gorumara National Park, Chapramari
Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilapata forest, Khunia, Chalsa and Chukchukia all lie in its close vicinity. Travelers to Jalpaiguri can also tour the
nearby hill destinations like Samsing, Suntalekhola, Jhalong, Paren and Bindu
from Murti. With ample opportunities for accommodation in the form of beautiful
resorts, guest houses and lodges, Murti is a fantastic locale in Jalpaiguri to stay and cherish its memory.
Gorumara National Park
This medium sized national park renowned for its population
of the Indian rhinoceros is the pride of Jalpaiguri district. Situated in the
Terai region of the foothills of the Himalayas, the Park has a large diversity
of flora and fauna. Some of the fauna include Indian rhinoceros, Asian
elephant, gaur, bear, sloth, chital, Sambal deer, hog deer, barking deer and
wild boar.
It is the natural habitat of a huge population of snakes including
the king cobra and the Indian python. There is also an admirable collection of the avian
species here like scarlet minivet, spangled drongo, sunbird, Asian paradise
suncatcher, Indian hornbill and the rare Brahminy duck among others. Read More Here.
Jaldapara National Park
Tourists to Jalpaiguri must make a
point to visit this national park in the Eastern Himalayan foothills within
Alipuduar sub-division of Jalpaiguri district.
It contains the largest
population of the one horned rhinoceros in the state after Kaziranga in Assam
and is also renowned for its luxurious diversity of flora and fauna.
A jungle safari along Jaldapara National Park is the
experience of a lifetime!
Chalsa
Chalsa in Jalpaiguri (source: flickr)
Known as the “Queen of Dooars”, your trip to Jalpaiguri remains incomplete without visiting Chalsa. This tranquil retreat in the Dooars is a haven of
natural beauty surrounded by rivers, hills, tea gardens and forests. It has the
Gorumara National Park along one side and the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary along the other. You can reach Chalsa in
one and a half hours from Siliguri by road.
Samsing and Suntalekhola
Cottage in Suntalekhola (Source: flickr)
Driving for 90 kms from Siliguri through Chalsa takes you to
Samsing. Its primary attractions rest in its scenic beauty, orchid bloom, and
the orange plantations growing at a relatively high altitude. Suntalekhola is only 5 km from Samsing and is a picturesque, serene village abounding in scenic beauty and multiple trekking trails.
Some of the other tourist destinations in Jalpaiguri which
you can opt for one day tours are Lataguri, Jhalong, Bindu, Paren,
Rajabhatkhawa, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Jayanti, Buxa Tiger Reserve among
many others. Reach any of these offbeat Dooars tourist destinations and watch the splendour of Jalpaiguri unfurl before your eyes.