Situated in the foothills of the beautiful Himalayas, Bagdogra is a well-liked tourist destination that offers thrilling rafting experiences and is further enhanced by the River Teesta. The region is well-known for its diverse cultural history, which includes Tibetan, Bengali, and Nepali elements in its food, celebrations, and architecture. Bagdogra tourism is a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and nature lovers because adventure seekers can partake in trekking and paragliding. Discovering the city’s verdant tea hills and foggy woodlands is one of the best things to do in Bagdogra.
Top 10 Things To Do In Bagdogra
In addition to serving as the entry point to Northeast India and the Himalayan region, Bagdogra has a lot to offer tourists. Here are a few of them:
1. A Visit To Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Saptaa1234 / Wikimedia Commons
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is a West Bengali nature reserve located in the Darjeeling district. Numerous animal species, including deer, tigers, elephants, and leopards, can be found in the sanctuary. With more than 300 kinds of birds, it is also a must-see location for bird enthusiasts. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts should not miss the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans more than 159 square kilometres. The reserve, which lies on the foothills of the Himalayas close to Bagdogra, is home to a diverse range of unusual animals and vegetation.
Timings: 6 AM to 4:30 PM
Ideal Duration: 3 hours
Closed On: Tuesdays
2. Explore The North Bengal Science City
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A visit to the Science City is the first thing to do in Bagdogra that springs to mind when discussing must-see tourist destinations. It includes exotic plants, a planetarium, and a natural interpretation center. Aiming to raise visitors’, particularly students’, knowledge and education of science, the North Bengal Science Centre, sometimes called Science City, is an interactive science museum and educational institution. The Science City is a great destination to take your family because it has a lot of fascinating exhibits about light, pictures, magnetism, and entertaining activities that include illusions.
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 hour
3. Explore Himalayan World Museum
Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The museum, which was established thanks to the efforts of renowned ethnomusicologist and dramaturge Professor Omprakash Bharti, features around 500 artefacts from various locales. These areas, which include Ladakh, Kashmir, Nepal, and Bhutan, are encircled by the Himalayas. The Himalayan Heritage Research and Development Society, a Sikkim-based national NGO, is in charge of its management. It is one of the greatest things to do in the Bagdogra region of West Bengal, India, because of the tranquil atmosphere and cosy setting.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Ideal Duration: 2 to 3 hours
4. Explore The Salugara Monastery
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Are you seeking comfort and a spiritual experience? Next, go to the Salugara Monastery, which was built as a house of worship for Buddhists by Tibetan priests and monks. The Dalai Lama’s disciples and Tibetan monks founded it. When followers from all over the city come together to pray and celebrate for a prosperous year, the festive season is considered to be the ideal time to visit Salugara Monastery to learn more about Tibetan culture and religion. One of its primary attractions is the 110-foot stupa that is located in the centre of it.
Timings: 5 AM to 11:30 AM and 1 PM to 5 PM
Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 hours
5. See The Coronation Bridge
Photo: Paramanu Sarkar / Wikimedia Commons
Have you ever been to the meeting place of two rivers? If you haven’t, you should go to the ‘Sevoke Coronation Bridge’, a prime example of British design that was constructed in 1930 on top of the Teesta River. It was constructed to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, two British royals. The main objective of the building was to facilitate travel from Bengal to the Northeast by bridging the divide between the Northeast and the rest of India. Coronation Bridge, which is close to Sevoke Kali Mandir, exemplifies the best craftsmanship, amazing design, and British architectural style.
Timings: 24 by 7
Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 hours
6. Spend The Day At Umrao Singh Boat Club
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The Indian Army creates and maintains the Umrao Singh Boat Club. Numerous amenities are available for enjoyable boating at this boat club. Tourists have the option to rent boats of various kinds and sizes. There are many pedalled and engine-equipped boats in this boating area. You can go boating with certain official guides. Nestled among tea plantations and verdant foliage, the Boat Club is ideally situated in a picturesque area. This yacht club is a highly appealing weekend destination because of its serene and refreshing ambiance. Thus, it is marked as a joyful thing to do in Bagdogra.
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Entry Fee: Free of cost
7. A Visit To Surya Sen Park
Photo: Susanne Nilsson / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A popular destination for city tourists is Surya Sen Park, an urban green space. Installed in the centre of the park, the monument to the heroic independence fighter Surya Sen is the park’s focal point. Known for its well-kept paths, dazzling fountains, and endless rows of flower beds, the park is also a popular spot for people to go for morning and evening strolls. The youngsters are particularly drawn to the children’s park, which is another feature. Additionally, hundreds of enthusiasts attend the park to see an exhibition on alternative energy is one of the most popular things to do in Bagdogra. In addition to the verdant lawns and fountains, you can see the River Mahanadi running through it.
Timings: 1 PM to 6:30 PM
Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Entry Fee: ₹5 per person
8. A Visit To Jorpokhri Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Peter Trimming / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Visiting the Jorpokhri Wildlife Sanctuary, near Bagdogra, is among the top things to do in Bagdogra. Jore and Pokhri are twin lakes that inspired the sanctuary’s name. The Himalayan Salamander is one of the many exotic and local creatures that may be seen in this refuge. The locals call it ‘goro’. Primarily found in the Eastern Himalayan region, this species can be found at elevations ranging from 4000 to 8000 feet. The sanctuary is a well-liked location for picnics and is among the top things to do in Bagdogra. The Himalayan Salamander is recognized as a highly endangered and highly prized species.
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Entry Fee: ₹100 to ₹200 per person
9. Explore Batasia Loop
Photo: Vikramjit Kakati / Wikimedia Commons
The Batasia Loop, a stunning technical achievement on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, is situated not far from Ghoom. In honour of the courageous Gorkha soldiers who have given their lives to defend the nation’s sovereignty since independence, the District Sainik Board of Darjeeling built this memorial. The sanctification of this memorial took place on March 22, 1995. Locals congregate here to sell woollen goods and handicrafts to visitors. The miniature train can traverse the steep slopes of the Himalayas thanks to this ingenious loop, which also gives visitors a unique 360-degree panoramic view of Darjeeling and the magnificent Kanchenjunga range.
Entry Fee: ₹30 per person
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
10. A Visit To Lloyd’s Botanical Garden
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
One of the unique sights in the city is the 40-acre Lloyd Botanical Garden. From China and Japan, the garden features alpine plants, plum lilies, geraniums, ash, birch, and lilac; from the United States, it features plums, cherries, magnolias, and cypress. In the beginning, the park was divided into three sections: the lower part is devoted to exotic plants, European trees like hawthorn, blackberry, and chestnut, and Asian plants; the middle part is full of ferns and alpine plants; and the upper part is filled with shaded paths that descend hill and native Himalayan plants.
Entry Fee: ₹10 per person
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
For nature enthusiasts and anyone seeking a restful and tranquil holiday, Bagdogra is a serene and lovely location. It has been fortunate to have a lot of amazing things to do in Bagdogra. This town is a great place to go river rafting because the Teesta River runs through it. As the starting point for visitors to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Siliguri, and neighbouring Bhutan, Bagdogra has grown in significance. For your next holiday to this haven, look into TripXL for end-to-end holiday packages and a hassle-free experience.
Cover Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons