Jalpaiguri is a narrow expanse of land between the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalayas and the Gangetic plain. The district was established during British India in 1869.
It has instilled a sense of both eerie and romanticism in many hearts.
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Jalpaiguri district is filled with great tourism potential. There are many beautiful villages and towns here that you can explore. However, a large portion of it remains untapped.
The turbulent rivers battling their way out of steep gorges, vast stretches of forest cover, the undulating span of Tea Estates, and the panoramic grandeur of the Himalayas are just a few of the attractions that drew the British deep into the heart of this land.
In this article, you will get to know about the following places and attractions to visit Jalpaiguri district,
Let’s see each of these places in detail.
1. Jalpaiguri City
| Distance from NJP | 44 km |
| Distance from Siliguri | 46 km |
Jalpaiguri is nicknamed “Olive Town.” The origin of its name can also be traced back to the 1900s when the area was home to several rich olive plantations.
The city is dotted with several small but beautiful rivers and is surrounded by lush natural beauty. Apart from them, you can also see endless vistas of tea plantations, which are one of the major topographical features of this fascinating getaway.
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It also contains shopping malls, markets, wildlife shelters, and natural abundance. The weather is also quite pleasant here.
Strolling through the city and spending a wonderful time amongst the famous spots in and around the city will fill your soul with joy and happiness.
So if you visit Jalpaiguri, you will be able to understand how beautiful and lively it is.
2. Gorumara National Park
| Distance from NJP | 60 km |
| Distance from Siliguri | 65 km |
Gorumara National Park, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, is a popular destination in Jalpaiguri. Established in 1992, this medium-sized park is primarily known for the famous Indian Rhinoceros and is covered with verdant vegetation and grasslands. The panoramic views of the park are alluring.
You can have a heart-melting sight of three distinct rivers here-the Murti River, the Raidak River, and the main Jaldhaka River. Hamlets like Sarswati, Budhuram, Chauturam, Bichabhanga, and Murti surround the forest.
Numerous typical flora, macro and microfauna, and biomes adorn the park. Wild boar, pygmy hog, giant squirrels, chital deer, spangled drongo, woodpeckers, sambal deer, and Indian wolves are some of the faunas and avifauna.
The best way to watch wildlife is through Jeep Safari or having an excellent 180-degree view from the watch towers like Jatraprasad and Chandrachur.
3. Murti
| Distance from NJP | 71 km |
| Distance from Siliguri | 77 km |
Murti is a small hamlet named after the beautiful river that flows through the area and the elevated terrains of the Neora Valley National Park. The river begins near the tri-junction of the borders of Bengal, Sikkim, and Bhutan and quickly flows down from the hills into the Dooars through the Samsing area.
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This place is one of the best places to stay for exploring Gorumara National Park. You can also access the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary from here.
Nature unwinds itself in its most original form in Murti. Sitting along the bank of the river Murti is very relaxing. The river is not glacier-fed and has little water except during the rainy season. You can cross it barefoot. Peacocks and peahens are often spotted strolling along the dry river bed near Murti.
4. Samsing
| Distance from NJP | 87 km |
| Distance from Siliguri | 78 km |
Samsing, located at an elevation of 3000 meters, can be one of those places with mesmerizing scenic beauty you have never seen before. The place is quite serene and is located at the foothills of the magnificent Himalayas.
Some of its main attractions are its lush tea gardens, silent streams merging into rivers and plains, undulating topography, and unexplored nature. Samsing has a stunning view of the huge mountains on one side and a relatively quiet green grassland on the other. You can’t easily take your eye off this beautiful natural contrast. It is one of the few places that blend the colors of nature so well.
Summers in Samsing are pleasant. The best time to visit Samsing is between October and March when the rolling hill slopes are exquisitely beautiful.
5. Malbazar
| Distance from NJP | 63 km |
| Distance from Siliguri | 55 km |
Malbazar, also known as “Mal,” is a well-known town in North Bengal. It is regarded as a thriving business confluence in the district of Jalpaiguri due to its proximity to the Indo-Bhutanese border town Jaigaon.
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You can easily access this town by train or road. Malbazar is an ideal starting point for exploring the famous wildlife sanctuaries of Dooars. Gorumara National Park, Chapramari, and Chukchukia are a few attractions nearby.
It is also on the way to exotic or border regions such as Bindu, Todey, Paren, Jhalong, etc. The small town has lush tea gardens of the colonial period and a beautiful tribal community.
6. Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
| Distance from NJP | 76 km |
| Distance from Siliguri | 81 km |
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary is essentially an extension of Gorumara National Park. These two forests are divided by the Murti river. This river lies on its west. On the east, it is bordered by the Jaldhaka river.
Although this is a relatively small forest, Chapramari is one of the oldest in Jalpaiguri. It was first recognized as a forest reserve in 1895 due to its diversity in flora & fauna.
The name Chapramari originated from a variety of fish (known as ‘Chopra’) found in abundance here (‘Mari’). You can spot elephants, leopards, bison, spotted dear, scarlet, minivets, darters, Brahmini ducks, and teals in the area. You can also see many flowering orchids at different times of the year in Chapramari.
You can explore the jungle and the wildlife from the Chapramari Watch Tower Jeep Safari.
These are some of the famous places to visit in the Jalpaiguri district.
Simply driving around or going for a hike will refurbish your soul and be a treat to the eyes. If you are a nature lover and love to take random snaps of nature and wildlife, Jalpaiguri district is one of the best places to be.
You can choose from numerous Sanctuaries, National Parks, and Tiger Reserves to spend a wonderful vacation.
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