Darjeeling.....

Kanchenjunga range from Darjeeling, with rhododendrons in bloom.
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Darjeeling: 'Queen of Hill Stations'.  A relaxing place to spend the weekend when compared to Kalimpong as the traffic is excluded from much of the upper part of the town.

I spent several weekends here, although Tiger Hill certainly stole Darjeeling's thunder on one of those! I didn't actually visit many places as it tended to be more of a weekend retreat (like Kalimpong in that respect). I visited the zoo (yes, rather cramped enclosures, but they have a good red panda and snow leopard conservation programme) and saw my beloved red pandas, and within the zoo, the Himalayan Mountineering Institute (our main purpose for going there in the first place).The Institute, established by Tenzing Norgay houses a goos range of displays about the history of mountaineering and Mount Everest expeditions.  Tenzing Norgay is also buried there and commemorated with a statue to honour Darjeeling's most famous son.

Darjeeling from near the market
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The top of the town is where the tourists are to be found, near the Mall (Nehru Road) and Chowrasta, the open square where people do to sit. walk, talk and watch the world go by. There is also a good viewpoint at the top where, on a clear day, the mountains are visible.  Lower down, the town becomoes less touristy and more local.  the market is full of little narrow alleys where there is a vast array of stalls selling local and western clothing, fabrics and household goods.

Heading back up the hill again, there are, of course, all the shops selling local tea.  When driving towards the town frm the Teeta valley, the tea plantations are everywhere.