Siliguri also called the 'City of Hospitality' is the gateway to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dooars, Nepal, Bhutan and the North Eastern States of India. It has become a significant junction for the tourists travelling to different places.
Siliguri is well connected by Railways ( nearest railway station being NJP which is about 8 kms from the main city), Airport ( nearest Airport is the Bagdogra airport which is about 12 kms from the city connecting with Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati with direct regular flights). It is also well connected by roads which leads to diffrerent cities and countries. The Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminal is a major stop for most buses in the region. The Royal Government of Bhutan also operates buses from Siliguri to the Bhutanese capital Thimphu. Jeeps also link Siliguri to neighbouring towns. SImilarly the Sikkim government's buses run to Sikkim from the SNT bus station opposite the Central Bus Terminal.
Siliguri being the junction, accomodation is easily available here with price ranges from expensive to nominal. Restaurants are also available in plenty. Siliguri also gives the pleasure of marketing specially the foreign stuffs.
Siliguri apart from being a junction also offers some places in its surroundings to visit and relax. You can visit the tea gardens, monastries, hills, forests and many more..... . You can also visit the different beautiful picnic spots around Siliguri.
Siliguri is an important transportation hub in North Bengal. The main railway station is New Jalpaiguri which has connections to all parts of the country. The airport at Bagdogra has connections to Calcutta, Delhi and Guwahati. The main national highways of this region pass through Siliguri. Bus services to all the neighboring places and states is available from Siliguri. Bus services to Bhutan are also there.
The surrounding areas of the city are beautiful. The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is 18 kms from the city (Permits are required). The Coronation Bridge (Sevoke Bridge) is an important bridge of the north east. There are a number of good hotels in the city.
Places to visit
Nature Interpretation Centre
Mahananda Wild Life Sancturay Nature is presented as an exhibition. Entry permit for Mahananda weir, Sukna are issued.
Mahananda Weir wild life Sanctuary, Sukna
18 kms form Siliguri, a place, deep inside forest & nature a good picnic spot.
Madhuban Park
A park, developed by Indian Army, is an excellent picnic spot.
Umrao Singh Boat Club, Sukna
Umrao Singh Boat Club, Sukna, a Boat Club, developed by Indian Army. Different size & shapes of boats are available for tourists.
Passing through Tea Gardens
The whole of sightseeing trip pass through tea gardens. If you are interested, you can tea processing also.
Visit to Salugara Monastery
His eminence Kalu Rinpoche constructed a one hundred foot stupa, which contains five types of relics and is an object of veneration which will bring liberation to any one who sees it.
Visit to Kalchakra Monastery
Kalchakra was 1st time organised in Salugara in December 96.
Teesta view Point, Sevoke
The Teesta river is the life line of the Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas. Bird watching is possible.
Kali Mandir
Kali Mandir, a Hindu Temple near Sevoke, an abode of the living goddess Kali. The famous Kali Mandir is frequented by newly wedded couples seeking the blessing of the Goddess Kali for an happy married life.
Monkey Point
Before reaching Coronation Bridge, you will run into groups of friendly monkeys. These monkeys can be hand -fed bread, bananas or tid-bits.
Coronation Bridge
Between Salugara & Kalijhora is the Sevoka Bridge, built in 1930, a relic of British Excellence in design & architecture. While crossing the bridge on foot cut out the nature adds colour to pleasure.
Hong Kong Market
For purchase of foreign goods. For people, who cannot go to Dhulabari, Nepal, this is a market of great charm - a large variety of imported goods are available at reasonable prices. The prices are cheaper by 30% in comparison to Calcutta and 40% in comparison to Delhi and Bombay.
Consumer Goods Market
Seth Srilal Market and Hill Cart Road have some big consumer goods shops, which stock large varieties of mercantile. The people of North Bengal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh regularly visit Siliguri for Purchasing. Prices are competitive and bargaining is negligible.
Railway Exhibition
For seeing Steam Engines of narrow gauge 'c' Class, a relic of British Raj, Siliguri JN is to be visited.
Art Gallery
Regular art exhibitions are bing held in Siliguri. The most important and regular site of Art Exhibition is Dina Bandhu Manch.
ISKCON Hare Krishna Mandir
A temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The ISKCON CENTRE in Siliguri is being labelled as the biggest Krishna Centre in the whole of the North East.
Lord Krishna had gone into hiding in the jungles of Baikunthapur with Rukmini at one time so Siliguri was the first choice of Iskon for making this biggest Krishna Centre in the Northeast.
