Siliguri is a name that you certainly must have encountered in the writings of Tagore, a place that the maestro himself could not stop gushing about.

Siliguri also spelled Shiliguri, is a city in West Bengal. It is a flatland bordered by valleys and rivers on the outskirts, sustaining a wealthy population on the inside. Home to lakhs of people, today, Siliguri is the fastest-growing city in India. Lying west of the Mahananda River, it is the hub for tourism and transport. Siliguri is the terminus that connects Kalimpong, Sikkim, and Darjeeling via roads and railways. Also known as the "Gateway of Northeast'', it is popular for many reasons.

Siliguri is a utopia for its inhabitants and tourists alike. Siliguri has it all from hot steaming chai on stalls to malls and markets and great food for the shopaholics and foodies.

Wouldn't you then want to visit one of the most lively cities of West Bengal? We promise that your visit will only leave you asking for more. Here is a quick guide to help you with your tour-

 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SILIGURI?

Now, planning your visit to a new place alone isn't enough. It is crucial that your dates coincide with the weather. After all, you wouldn't want your first visit to Siliguri to be interrupted by bad weather, would you? The months that would be best suited for your trip to Siliguri are:

November to February- Winters in Siliguri are a delight. The sun is warm with an ideal temperature of 25°, which drops to a minimum of 3°. If you are keen on experiencing some chill without exposing yourself to harsh winters, then these months are ideal for you. Just remember to pack yourself a couple of warm clothes, and you are good to go. 

 P.S: Peel yourself lots of oranges and bask in the sun. Trust us; you are going to love it!

March to June- Summers can be a little extreme for some. Temperatures can rise to a scorching 38°, accompanied by humidity. But with summers comes the fun of indulging in innumerable thandas and golas, lassis and sugarcane juice ( a specialty in Siliguri ), cold coffees, and ice creams. This is the most preferred time for sightseeing owing to the favorable weather. 

Pro tip? Pack lots of sunscreens and free up your memory space!!

July to October- Siliguri receives a favorable amount of patter during monsoons. If you are someone who loves the surreality of rain, then you may visit during monsoons. Otherwise, summers and winters are the best seasons to visit Siliguri.

Now that the dates have been sorted let's move on to the activities you can do in the city. Here is our list of 10 SIGHTSEEING ACTIVITIES THAT YOU CAN DO WHILE IN SILIGURI-

The first eight places on the list are all in the city, while the rest lie a little further away. You may plan your trip accordingly.

MAHANANDA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY-

Situated at a distance of 30 mins from Siliguri, this sanctuary is located on Hill Cart Road, Sukna. Initially started as a game sanctuary, today it is home to many endangered birds and animals. The sanctuary sprawls over 159 km² of reserve forest, a humongous area that spreads over varying altitudes. This difference in elevation helps in the survival of a large number of species. If you are curious to visit animals like the Bengal Royal tiger, Indian Bison, and birds of various kinds in their natural habitat, then you must tick this place off your list.

BENGAL SAFARI-

The Bengal Safari situated on 5th Mile, Salugara, Jalpaiguri, is a treat for nature lovers. Transportation facilities like buses, autos, and cabs are actively available. Located at a distance of 30 mins from Siliguri, the safari is a safe haven for wildlife. Animals like tigers, rhinos, leopards, elephants, and several birds are found here. Provisions are made for activities like elephant rides and bus rides, for which you will have to pay an extra amount. Bus rides will give you a tour around the place. These tours allow you to encounter the animals in their natural habitat. Keep your eyes wide open, for you will not want to miss a glimpse of the majestic tiger walking on the sidewalk. 

Eateries are made available inside the area. Tickets for adults cost around 30 rs.

 

SCIENCE CENTER- 

The North Bengal Science Centre is the core of science enthusiasts. From nature interpretation centers to planetariums, you will thoroughly enjoy yourself visiting this nucleus of knowledge.

SALUGARA MONASTERY-

We seldom tend to lose our core in the noise of the outside world. It is crucial to connect with ourselves now and then- what better place to re-discover ourselves than in this Buddhist Shrine. With a 100ft Stupa, this shrine lies on the outskirts of Siliguri. The monastery is believed to have been built by the Tibetan Lama, Kalu Rinpoche.

ISKCON TEMPLE-

A temple that endearingly tells stories of Lord Krishna through its scriptures and architecture. This temple serves the most pleasing offering (Prashad) to its devotees. A perfect getaway for a spiritual break.

CITY CENTER-

The hub for the people of Siliguri and perhaps the most popular mall; City Center is a place where you must visit to shop and indulge in your favorite fast-food courts. This mall is equipped with restaurants, a theatre hall, a gaming parlor, pubs, and shopping complexes.  

HONG KONG MARKET- 

The dopamine that will fill up the spirits of shopaholics is here. From junk jewelry to clothes and shoes, accessories to gadgets, you will find everything here. Can we call this area a mini Sarojini Market? Most definitely yes! Don't forget to treat yourself to the sweet shops and food stalls (try those puchkas already) and purchase yourself a souvenir here.

AMUSEMENT PARKS-

Siliguri is pretty rich in entertainment. Savin Kingdom is an amusement park in Dagapur, Siliguri. From water rides and roller coasters, to restaurants, and Plazas, it has all been covered in its 10-acre land. If you are looking for a place to have fun with friends and families, this is the spot for you.

Dreamland Amusement Park is another park that was built in Fulbari- 10km away from Siliguri.

GAZALDOBA- 

Trust us, visiting Gazaldoba will be one of the best decisions you will make. A paradise for bird lovers- Gazaldoba lies 30km away from Siliguri. It is easily accessible via road from both Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Traveling across a semi-bumpy ride with a majestic view of the river Teesta, you are led to your destination. 

If you are a fish fanatic, then you should enjoy the fish market. From shrimps and prawns to dry fish, you can devour all of these freshly fried varieties. At a small distance is a harbor from where boats can be ridden for a tour across the river. Ripples of water welcome you aboard into its world. On your way, you will find several migratory birds making it an excellent place for bird watching. Do remember to take pictures whilst you are in the beautiful water body. Even if you aren't a huge fan of birds, visit this place to experience a day or two away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Let the pink and orange hues of the sky engulf you as you return with a heart full of beautiful memories. Gazaldoba will make your trip worthwhile. 

COOCHBEHAR- 

Deemed to be one of the largest cities of West Bengal, Coochbehar lies at an approximate distance of 140km from Siliguri. The birthplace of Maharani Gayatri Devi (the third Maharani of Jaipur), this city is as royal as it can get. Coochbehar lets you experience royalty through its Cooch Behar Palace, a.k.a Victor Jubilee Palace. The palace is modeled after the "Buckingham Palace" and was designed by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. Coupled with its rustic charm, Coochbehar is also a refuge to the very popular Madan Mohan Temple. 

The city encapsulates a charming population reverberating with its haat bazaars and tea stalls. We really wouldn't want you to miss seeing this beautiful city. 

Dooars-

Located at a distance of approximately five km from Siliguri, Dooars is an escape for nature enthusiasts. Dooars is a large area that is dotted with many towns and cities.  Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Barpeta, Dhubri are all a part of the region.

The commercial capital of Bhutan, Phuentsholing, near Jaigaon, can also be considered a part of it.

Dooars is a place that is seldom left undiscovered by tourists but is a paradise in itself. From the gurgling waters of Jhalong to the valleys of Buxa and the lush greenery of Gorumara National Park, these places are a treat for the eyes. These parks remain closed during the monsoon season. Travelers visiting in the months of November-December can witness the Raas Mela- a fair deemed to be one of the most ancient fairs here. Our advice? Book your calendars and visit this surreal place to create memories for a lifetime.      

Buxa Fort: 

An exciting catch for individuals interested in history. Buxa Fort is located at 867 meters in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, of the Alipurduar district, in West Bengal, India. It is located 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Alipurduar, the nearest town. Although the Buxa Fort is one of the most touristy places, it has a history unknown to many. The Fort contains traces of it haven been used as a prison camp by the British during their reign in India. It was later followed to become a refugee camp for Tibetan refugees. A place with so many secrets and stories and such rich history indeed mustn't be left undiscovered.

You can either choose to hire a cab or walk your way to the Fort. The Fort is a four-hour drive from Siliguri. Since it lies at a considerable distance from Siliguri, you can choose to stay at one of the homestays or leave early. 

How we wish we could write on to convince you to visit this lovely place yourself. Some affairs are bound to get etched in your mind forever, and Siliguri is one such experience. The city screams joy and vibrancy to its core. Come, spend a few days here, taste a slice of Bengal. Try our Mishti doi, devour our fishes, ride the rickshaws and breathe the air of Siliguri. 

If we have left you brimming with excitement, then feel free to contact our professionals. Take our word on being guided every step of your way. We can also provide you with itineraries to help you better. What are you waiting for, my friend? Hop into the wagon and contact us today.