West Bengal

West Bengal

Popular Activities To Do In West Bengal

Popular Places to Visit in West Bengal

India's cultural cauldron of West Bengal combines the arts, the city, the countryside, mountains, and nature. Whether you're intellectually inclined and want to be among writers and wandering minstrels, or adventurous and want to roam with rhinoceroses, these diverse West Bengal tourist places offer it all.

1 Kolkata

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The West Bengal capital of Kolkata, officially known by its British name of Calcutta until 2001, has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last decade. No longer identified with slums, destitution, and the inspiring work of Mother Teresa, Kolkata has grown into the cultural capital of India. In addition, Kolkata is the only city in India to have a tram car network, which adds to its old-world charm. 


2 Sundarbans National Park

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The Sunderbans, one of the top national parks in India, is a magnificent tangle of mangrove jungle that’s the only one of its kind in the world. It's spread over 102 islands (54 of which are inhabited) and extends into neighboring Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is only accessible by boat and exploring it this way is a unique experience that shouldn't be missed. Don’t be hopeful of seeing any tigers though. They're very shy and usually remain well hidden in 


3 Darjeeling

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Darjeeling, famous for its lush tea gardens, is one of India's top 10 hill stations. It's blessed with a stunning view of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak. Some of Darjeeling's most popular attractions include monasteries, botanical gardens, a zoo, and the Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway cable car (the longest cable car in Asia).  

Darjeeling is a wonderful place to walk around and explore the tea estates, villages, and markets. Seeing the mountain sunrise from nearby Tiger Hill has also become a popular thing to do. Don't visit during the monsoon season though -- the region is one of the wettest places in India! To get there, travel on the famous Darjeeling toy train.


4 Kalimpong

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If you'd prefer to be away from the crowds, Kalimpong is a less-touristy alternative 2 to 3 hours from Darjeeling. The town sits on a ridge overlooking the Teesta River, which separates it from Sikkim. It was ruled by the Sikkimese until the early 1700s when it was taken over by the king of Bhutan. The British won it back in 1865. Attractions include Buddhist monasteries, adventure activities, trekking, and nature walks. There are plenty of hills and villages to explore in the vicinity. Mansarovar Homestay is a lovely, serene guest house with an organic garden and mountain views.


5 Bishnupur

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About 4 hours west of Kolkata, Bishnupur is renowned for its remarkable terracotta temples, terracotta pottery, and silk saris. The temples were built mostly during the 17th and 18th centuries by Malla dynasty rulers. During this time, there was a revival of Hinduism with devotion to Lord Krishna, after a prolonged period of Islamic dominance. The result was temple architecture that unusually blended Bengali-style curved roof with Islamic domes and arches, and Oriya-style duel (sanctum). The detailed carvings on the temples' terracotta tiles feature scenes from Lord Krishna's life, as well as the Hindu epics The Ramayana and Mahabharata. You'll find reproductions of the tiles 


6 Shantiniketan

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They say that the quaint university town of Shantiniketan (meaning Abode of Peace), 4 hours northwest of Kolkata, is better comprehended than seen. Noble Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore founded a school there in 1901, which later developed into the Visva Bharati University with an emphasis on humanity's relationship with nature. One of the main attractions in Shantiniketan is the Uttarayan complex where Tagore lived. It now has a museum and art gallery. 


7 Jaldapara National Park

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If you can't make it all the way as far as Kazaringa National Park in Assam to see the rare one-horned rhinoceros in the wild, don't despair. Jaldapara National Park has about 50 of these creatures, and you can view them close up on an elephant safari. The sanctuary is the most well-known forest in the Dooars region, at the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal close to Bhutan. 

If you stay at the Forest Department's Hollong Tourist Lodge deep inside the national park, you'll be blessed with the sight of animals wandering to the nearby creek and salt lick -- rhinos included! It's possible to make reservations for the tourist lodge online. Otherwise, Mithun Das of Wild Planet Travels is the best person for all travel arrangements, including lodge bookings and safaris. The sanctuary is open from October through May. The top months for rhino watching are March and April when the new grass comes up.


8 Pandua and Gaur

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About 6 hours north of Kolkata, spread throughout Pandua and Gaur, are the fascinating ruins of the former capitals of Muslim nawabs (rulers) dating back to the 13th-16th centuries. Most of the ruins are mosques, including the 14th century Adina Masjid in Pandua. It's one of the largest mosques in India and it contains the tomb of its builder, Sikander Shah.


9 Along the Hooghly River

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A cruise along the Hooghly River (also known as the Hugli River), a lower distributary channel of the Ganges River, provides a memorable glimpse into village life. The Assam Bengal Navigation Company offers comfortable 7-night cruises from Kolkata to Farakka, with the return journey by rail. This stretch is most interesting due to its British, Dutch, French, Portuguese, and Danish heritage -- all of these countries established 18th-century trading posts there and you'll get to see the remnants of them, as well as markets, temples, and old 


10 Mandarmani Beach

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Avoid overcrowded Digha Beach and head to Mandarmani Beach, about 3 hours south of Kolkata, instead. Although it's not far from Digha, this fishing village with a super long stretch of beach is so much more peaceful and unpolluted. Bombay Beach Resort and Sana Beach Resort are recommended places to stay there right on the beach.


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