From Wikitravel

Siliguri [1] is a city in Darjeeling district in the northern part of West Bengal, India.

[edit] Understand

As one of the most important transportation hubs in the north east, Siliguri has recently become something of a boom town. Sprawling and boisterous, modern condominiums dominate the landscape on entering the town, followed by endless streets of market stalls which surround a core of car show rooms and shopping centers. While it is a popular place to shop and do business for people from the North East and Bhutan, there is no good reason for tourists to linger in Siliguri. However, travelers heading towards Bhutan, Darjeeling and Sikkim may need to spend a night here. With a population approaching 500,000, Siliguri is the second largest city in West Bengal, after Kolkata.

[edit] Get in

The bus station is located across the street from the Sher-e-Punjab Hotel on Hill Cart Road (Tenzing Norgay Road).

• There are regular buses to/from Kolkata. The well-known and comfortable Siliguri Rocket, run by the State Transport Corporation, leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 8am (Rs. 245). Some private bus lines also ply the route. The 'Royal Cruiser' Volvo buses run by Gupta Travel (Tel: +91 353 251-3451) leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 9am (Rs. 745 AC/Rs. 325 non-AC).
• Under a joint understanding between Indian and Bangladeshi transport authority, there are regular bus services to/from Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh. BRTC (Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation) buses leave Dhaka everynight at 8 PM and reach India-Bangladesh border at Changrabanda post at early morning. These buses will not cross the border and the passengers have to clear customs, walk a few hundred yards to cross the border and board the waiting Indian buses for another three hour ride to Siliguri. The buses are air conditioned, very comfortable and depart on time. A One way fare for Dhaka to Siliguri is between USD 20 to 25, depending on conversion rates.
• There is a regular bus service from Phuentsholing in Bhutan and the Bhutanese border town of Jaigon to Siliguri. The Bhutan Government buses are the most efficient.
• The Bagdogra Airport is just 10 km from the heart of Siliguri. It is well connected with most major Indian cities.
• New Jalpaiguri Railway Station is 6 km south of the city centre, and is very well connected with the rest of the country.

[edit] Get around

Walking is one method of getting around however one needs to be constantly alert, aware and awake since the traffic in all of India can be very chaotic and dangerously deadly. It is recommended that one opt for cycles rickshaws, city autos, buses or one can hire a private taxi.

[edit][add listing] See

• Salugara Monastery. A monastery in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The compound includes a 100 foot stupa consecrated by the late Kalu Rinpoche.
• [ISKCON Temple][2].
• The Coronation Bridge at Sevoke. This is about 23 km from the city on way to Gangtok/Kalimpong and Dooars on the National Highway 31.
• The Science City at Matigara on the northern suburbs.
• Savin Kingdom, Dagapur(near darjeeling more), a good amusument park with many rides both for children & adults

[edit][add listing] Do

• Swimming at visit Viramma Club.
• Club Cabana. Siliguri's first and best disco.
• Siliguri Club.Houses the biggest swimming pool in the whole of North Bengal.
• Blue Mountain Club. A relaxing country-club with landscaped gardens.
• The Kunchenjunga stadium and the Netaji Indoor Stadium. Exhibitions and varied events.
• Tea Estate Tours. Visit the serene and spacious tea farms located in and around the city.
• "Savin Kingdom"- the Amusement Park

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Bidhan Market.
• Hong Kong Market. Specializes in imported goods - mostly from China.
• Nivedita Market
• Sunflower Shopping Mall. An up-market shopping center.
• Cosmos Mall

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Cinderellas
• Viramma at Viramma Resort, Dagapur.
• Banake at Sharma Sweets at Mahabirsthan.
• Sweets at Rasoraj, Mahabirsthan.
• Viramma Restaurant (Viramma Resort).
• Palm court(Sinclairs)
• Pamm (Vinayak)
• Amber(Saluja Residency)
• Ranjit. South Indian cuisine
• Taiwah. Chinese cuisone.
• Kalpana. Excellent Bengali cuisine.
• Kalpatru. Excellent Bengali cuisine
• Zaika . Excellent Moughali dishes

[edit][add listing] Drink

The O2 in Sinclairs is worth checking out for a nice evening drink and snacks.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

As a major transportation hub and business center, Siliguri has a host of hotels. Many are located on the main thoroughfare, Hill Cart Road.

[edit] Budget

• Mainak Tourist Lodge, Hill Cart Road (also known as Tenzin Norgay Road), Pradhan Nagar. Tel:+91 353 251-2859. Not as grand on the inside as on the out, but still good value. Standard: single - 340Rps, double - 450Rps, Deluxe: single - 525Rs, double - 700Rps.

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Heritage, Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar. Tel:+91 353 734-003. Conveniently located across from the city's main interstate bus station, Heritage is a well maintained and efficiently run hotel. 500rs non A/C to 2,500rs for suite.
• Hotel Manila, Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar. Tel: +91 353 251-9342. Located next to Hotel Heritage. 600rs non A/C to 2,400rs for suite.
• Hotel Central Plaza, Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar. Tel: 91 353 251-6119. Located about a five minute taxi ride from main bus station. Clean and acceptable facilities. 650rs non A/C to 3,500rs for suite.

[edit] Splurge

• Viramma Resort. [3] A luxury resort on the Darjeeling highway.
• Hotel Sinclairs. Pradhan Nagar. Tel: +91 253 251-7674 [4]. A well maintained hotel with good facilities. Located about a five minute taxi ride from main bus station.
• Hotel Cindrella. [5] A four star hotel on Sevoke Road.

[edit] Contact

There are a host of internet cafes in the lanes behind Hotel Heritage/Hotel Manila. The connections in Siliguri are fast and reliable.

[edit] Headline text

• Gompa Dara
• Darjeeling
• Kalimpong
• Gangtok
• Lava
• Loleygaon or Lolegaon
• Rishop
• Dello
• Phuentsholing - The Bhutan Government buses depart for Phuentsholing at 7:30AM and 1:30PM everyday. NB: The ticket office is in the main bus station compound, but the bus departs from the other side of Hill Cart Road (near Hotel Heritage). There are more frequent Indian buses to the border town of Jaigaon.
• Mongpu
• Pelling
• Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary. The main entrace is through Sukna about 12 km from the city centre. There is a nature interpretation centre at Sukna showcasing local flora and fauna

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