Bijanbari

Bijanbari is a secluded hamlet at an elevation of 2500 feet above sea level. The village is just 15 kilometres driving distance away from Darjeeling. Tucked amidst the thickly wooded forest of pine and conifer trees Bijanbari has caught the attention of travellers with its breathtaking view of the hills, bewitching natural beauty, and rustic style of living.

It is a small town with a population of just a few thousand people. Most of the people living here talk in Nepali. Being away from popular cities like Darjeeling, don’t expect the facilities to be as good as the city. The sole purpose of visiting this town is to spend a simple life away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature.

Places to Visit near Bijanbari

Nestled in the foothill of Eastern Himalaya, the road leading towards Bijanbari is full of pictorial sights of shimmering mountain streams, semi-tropical forests, waterfalls, and lush tea gardens which will be accompanying you throughout the journey.

Bijanbari is just a 15 km driving distance away from Darjeeling which takes only around 1-hour to reach. As a result, all the sightseeing places Darjeeling has to offer can be visited quite easily while staying in Bijanbari. Darjeeling has countless sightseeing attractions and also provides a great view of the snow-clad Himalayan Range Including Kanchenjunga. You can visit Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Darjeeling Ropeway, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling Rock Garden, Padmaja Naidu National Park, Ghum Monastery, Peace Pagoda, and many other notable tourist sites in Darjeeling.

Kalimpong is around 60 km distance away from Bijanbari which takes only two and a half hours to reach. A sightseeing excursion to this magnificent town lets you enjoy a sweeping panoramic view of mighty Kanchenjunga from Dello Hill’s average elevation of 2000 meters. You will also get to see some of the finest tourist sites in the town including the Cactus Nursery of Kalimpong where various types of Cactus can be seen along with more than 400 types of orchids, Morgan House, the ancient architecture built during the colonial era, offers a great insight into British architecture. The Buddhist Monastery Jang Dong PalriffoBrangGompa can also be visited which was built in 1975 under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a testament to the stunning Buddhist architecture.

Poolbazar, also known as Pulbazar is a beautiful place you can visit near this town. It is one of the biggest as well as the oldest market in the entire Darjeeling District where you can see people shopping for vegetables and trading farm animals. There is a temple of the Hindu community in this area established in the year 1971. Inside the temple, the images of MaaDurga, Lord Shiva, Ganesh, and more can be seen which are carved on stone and painted skillfully with colors.

Not more than 2 km driving distance away from Pulbazar, you can visit Sericulture Farm where the products are made of mulberry bushes and silkworms. Apart from this, you can also visit a hydroelectric power plant constructed nearby at a site called Lodhoma. Here you will witness the water flowing fiercely and being captured by the power plant to generate power. Orange orchards can be seen in abundance at one side of this dam and on the other, you will witness a steep rising hill.

Bijanbari proves to a great destination for hikers as it is connected with a bunch of hiking routes. From Bijanbari, Singla Bazar is just 4 hours distance away. Relling on the other hand is 8km away whereas Som Tea Estate is around 4 hours walking distance away. You can explore many other tourist places by walking such as Kaizalay, Kainjali, Jhepi, Rimbik, Sumbuck, and more. Not more than 5 km away from Kainjali, Kolbong is another alluring place from where you can enjoy a tantalizing vista of Sikkim.

Activities to Do in Bijanbari

From Bijanbari, one can indulge in many activities. One can enjoy the soothing view of Kanchenjunga all day long. Wandering through the village is a joyful experience for sure. Visit Bijanbari Market to buy any required items or just to explore them. You can even do nothing and just relax in your homestay and relish the beauty of nature from your balcony or window.

Sightseeing Excursions can be conducted to Darjeeling and Kalimpong from Bijanbari. You will be delighted to explore tourist sites like Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Darjeeling Ropeway, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling Rock Garden, Padmaja Naidu National Park, Ghum Monastery, Peace Pagoda, Morgan House, Kalimpong Cactus Nursery, Dong PalriffoBrangGompa, Deollo Hill and more in Darjeeling and Sikkim.

Bird watching is another most enjoyable activity to do here. The surrounding forested area is the natural habitat of many Himalayan birds including Rusty rusty-bellied shortwing, Bay Woodpecker, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Spotted Wren Babbler, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Rufous Throated Wren-Babbler, Asian Barred Owlet, and many other species of birds. If you are an avid birdwatcher, you will be delighted to spot these birds through your eyes or the camera lens.

Homestays in Bijanbari

Homestay is the only mode of accommodation here with most of the basic amenities the guests ask for while offering them a comfortable night stay amidst nature. The behaviour of the homestay owner is truly friendly and will take care of your needs quite efficiently. The rooms of the homestays will be spacious neat and clean. They are properly sanitized so that you can enjoy a worry-free stay. Attached are Western Bathrooms, 24 hours of electricity, hot running water, and other facilities you will get.

North Bengal Tourism’s Darjeeling Tour Packages include homestays, sightseeing, and also transportation so that you can quite conveniently spend a splendid Holiday in Bijanbari and all its enclosing places at a pocket-friendly price.

How to Reach This Destination

By Train: To reach Bijanbari, board a train to New Jalpaiguri. Upon reaching, you can take a cab or taxi to reach the village comfortably. The distance from NJP to Bijanbari is around 85 km which can be covered within 4 hours.

By Air: Bagdogra Aiport is about 82km distance away from Bijonbari. First, take a flight to Bagdogra and from the airport, hire a taxi to reach the village.

By Road: Bijanbari can be visited by road from any of its nearby destinations. Cars are available to hire from NJP, Bagdogra, and Siliguri. It is just around 4 hours drive from any of these places.

 

Best Time to Visit Bijanbari

As a travel freak, you can visit Bijanbari at any time of the year. However, for most people, the best time to visit Bijanbari is during the months of Summer (April to June) when the temperature is mild and hovers around 25°C. The sky remains completely clear and many popular outdoor activities can also be enjoyed.