Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Offbeat places in Darjeeling offer travellers a chance to experience the hill town beyond its famous tea gardens, toy train, and Kanchenjunga views. Tucked away from the bustling tourist spots, these hidden gems include serene monasteries, quiet gardens, and charming rural villages. Each location has its own unique character, letting you connect with local culture, history, and nature in a more personal way. Whether you’re seeking peaceful corners to unwind or authentic experiences with locals, exploring these offbeat places makes Darjeeling even more memorable.
10 Best Offbeat Places In Darjeeling
The offbeat places in Darjeeling include peaceful gardens, ancient monasteries, and charming villages, letting travellers escape crowded spots while experiencing the district’s authentic culture, heritage, and natural beauty.
1. Lloyd’s Botanical Garden
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Lloyd’s Botanical Garden is a small hillside wonder in Darjeeling, and has a good collection of Himalayan flora, exotic orchids, and plants brought from elsewhere in the world. The gardens have multiple compartments where travellers can view alpine plants, a cactus section, and rare medicinal plants. Walking through the shaded paths of the gardens is refreshing for anyone who enjoys nature and taking pictures. The garden’s glasshouse is a highlight, particularly when the orchids bloom in season. Birdwatchers often report observing local hill birds, which adds to the beauty. The footpaths are lined by trees, allowing for easy, leisurely strolls through the garden.
Location: Below Eden Sanatorium, Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling Zoo, Chowk Bazaar
Suggested Read: Your Ultimate Guide To Clouded Leopard National Park
2. Bhutia Busti Monastery
Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
Bhutia Busti Monastery has a special spiritual meaning to local people since it was built upon the remains of a previous monastery destroyed by an earthquake in the 1930s. It was reconstructed with traditional Tibetan architecture and has provided sacred texts, prayer wheels, and beautiful murals. You can see the hand-painted thangkas on the walls that show the Buddhist ideas, teachings, and stories. Once inside, smell the scent of the incense burning, and the only sound is the gentle hum of the monks engaged in chanting. The monastery is well known for a small library holding many old Buddhist manuscripts.
Location: Below Chowrasta, Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: St. Andrew’s Church, Ava Art Gallery, St. Paul’s School
3. Japanese Peace Pagoda
Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
The Japanese Peace Pagoda stands as a symbol of harmony and was built under the direction of a Buddhist monk from Japan. The pagoda contains four golden statues of Buddha showing different stages of his life, making it important in both a spiritual and artistic sense. It is surrounded by pine trees, which contribute to its peacefulness. On the upper levels, you can see wide horizons of Kanchenjunga, with rolling tea gardens flowing up to the British house nearby. You can see the white dome glisten under the sunlight and enjoy the contrast of gleaming white against greenery.
Location: Jalapahar Hill, Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: Himalayan Tibet Museum, Shrubbery Garden, Aloobari Monastery
Suggested Read: Best Hill Stations Near Darjeeling For A Marvellous Staycation
4. Dali Monastery
Photo: Sumitsurai / Wikimedia Commons
The Dali Monastery provides a glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist life with its intricately painted walls and the continuous rotation of prayer wheels in a peaceful courtyard. Inside the prayer hall, you can see the beauty of colourful thangkas with pictures that are used to tell stories about Buddhist teachings. Watch monks prepare for rituals, arrange and light butter lamps, or burn incense. The monastic library has an impressive collection of vintage scriptures, some hand-painted, which show artists embedded in their traditional ways of painting. While visiting this unique place, remember to take your time and appreciate the smaller details. This monastery is still an active site of worship and you should display respectful behaviour.
Location: On Hill Cart Road, 5 km from Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: Raj Bhavan, Dhirdham Temple, Lloyd’s School
5. Batasia Loop
Photo: Dr Vikramjit Kakati / Wikimedia Commons
The Batasia Loop provides you with an opportunity to see the narrow-gauge train pass through a gracious loop while strolling the terraced gardens and several memorial lawns. The loop area has paved paths to stroll on or sit and watch the train, so visitors can take the time they need to slowly wander around and discover various vantage points for photography. The war memorial located in the loop makes a calm location to reflect, and the gardens surrounding the memorial change through the seasons, offering colourful blooms through spring and crisp, clear views through autumn. Street vendors park nearby to provide local finger foods and warm drinks when the air turns chilly, which makes a brief stay enjoyable.
Location: 5 km from Darjeeling town, Hill Cart Road
Nearby Attractions: Tenzing Rock, Ropeway Station, Aloobari Road Market
Suggested Read: Hills Stations In West Bengal For A Refreshing Retreat
6. Ghoom Monastery
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Ghoom Monastery has a very strong visual focus because of the large statue and colourful paintings that catch the attention of visitors interested in religious art and ritual. In the main hall, the focus is definitely on the statue due to its scale and the ornamentation around it. Notice that the chanting, the bells and the working monks do everything with precision and accuracy, following their tradition. The monastery also has a set of prayer wheels, spun out by locals in long runs as they go past, and joining these out of respect is a simple way to engage with local practice. You will also see small stalls selling some simple offerings and ritual scarves.
Location: Ghoom, 7 km from Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: Tiger Hill, Jorebungalow, Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary
7. Shrubbery Nightingale Park
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons
Shrubbery Nightingale Park is a landscaped area that provides an open space for visitors to walk, sit, and enjoy performances against a mountain backdrop. The main feature of the park is a raised platform, where local cultural shows are sometimes performed in the evenings, usually folk dances. Stone-paved paths lead you to fountains and flowerbeds, making for a simple loop for an easy, relaxed walk. Benches along the way are positioned to encourage people to sit and look at the view of Kanchenjunga, coming into view when the sky is clear. Photography enthusiasts can find interesting subjects to photograph amongst the decorative arches and the seasonal flowers.
Location: Richmond Hill, Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: Lebong Race Course, Step Aside (Netaji Museum), St. Joseph’s College
Suggested Read: Jaldapara National Park
8. Darjeeling Rock Garden
Photo: ANKAN / Wikimedia Commons
Darjeeling Rock Garden is a terraced development in which streams and waterfalls carve a series of natural stone paths, creating a beautiful urban park. Tourists can climb from level to level on small steps that lead to tiny sitting areas with views. Water rushes down the rocks near the trails and always makes for a pleasant atmosphere to sit. You can sit for a while and watch the play of water and light. Families often come carrying picnic baskets to eat on the terraces, while couples seek quiet corners to be alone. For those with cameras, photo opportunities abound everywhere in the garden, like bridges, flowered plants and vistas of the streams.
Location: 10 km from Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: Tukvar Tea Estate, Bhutia Busty Rock Point, Darjeeling Mall
9. Happy Valley Tea Estate
Photo: Tanmoy281 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Happy Valley Tea Estate is an excellent option for those wishing to explore Darjeeling’s most famous legacy, how it is cultivated, processed and savoured. A guide will take you on a walk around the estate, where you will learn about the history of tea in the hills, from planting bushes to the delicate act of plucking the leaves. You may also visit inside the factory, where you will smell the freshly produced tea and see the process of rolling, drying and sorting. There are often small tasting sessions organised, which give travellers an opportunity to contrast the delicate flavours that distinguish Darjeeling tea from teas produced elsewhere.
Location: 3 km from Chowk Bazaar, Darjeeling town
Nearby Attractions: Lebong Cart Road, Tensing Rock, Darjeeling Ropeway
Suggested Read: Neora Valley National Park
10. Kurseong
Photo: Mayukh Ghose / Wikimedia Commons
The picturesque town of Kurseong (meaning “the Land of White Orchids”) boasts a more relaxed hill-station atmosphere than Darjeeling. You can navigate the tea gardens, colonial churches, and a few vista points, some of which overlook the Teesta River and valleys below. Eagle’s Crag is a special viewpoint, especially at sunset when the hills turn gold. The quiet streets are lined with heritage schools, other buildings and trees creating an indulgent place for slow walking. Tea estates such as Makaibari welcome you to learn about organic farming and taste their blends. Kurseong has good connections through the road and the Toy Train, which enhances the experience.
Location: 30 km from Darjeeling town, en route Siliguri
Nearby Attractions: Makaibari Tea Estate, Ambootia Tea Garden, Chimney Village
Exploring offbeat places in Darjeeling lets you move beyond tea gardens and viewpoints to discover secluded monasteries, quiet villages, orchards, and serene forest paths. From Dali Monastery to Happy Valley tea estate, each spot offers a unique charm. Plan ahead, stay close to nature, and connect with locals for the best experience. Book your Darjeeling trip with TripXL and enjoy these offbeat gems effortlessly.
Cover Photo: Joy Amed / Unsplash
