Bijanbari is a quite a popular town lying in the eastern part of Darjeeling district in West Bengal. It is a town with rich and varied agricultural produce which is its specialty. This beautiful and scenic town is also popular due to its proximity to Sandakphu. Located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Darjeeling, Bijanbari sits at an elevation of 2,500 feet. The Chota Rangeet flows through Bijanbari making it fertile which also helps the extensive tea plantations in this sleepy town. Bijanbari happens to be the headquarters of the Darjeeling Pulbazar developmental block and is basically full of Nepalis.
How to reach Bijanbari
Bijanbari is around 30 kilometers from Ghoom, the highest railway station in the world located in Darjeeling. There are several routes to arrive at Bijanbari. Both buses and cabs are available to reach Bijanbari from Darjeeling. If you are hiring a taxi, then do it from Gandhi Road or Chowk Bazar. Shared jeep is another alternative. Bijanbari trip for a single day is offered by the GTA tourism department the office of which is in Mall Bazar. If you opt for this trip then you will be charged per person and a mini bus or jeep will be the available conveyance for you. You can either pack your lunch or grab a bite at the stalls near the riverside.
Accommodation in Bijanbari
There are plenty of accommodation facilities in Bijanbari though most of them offer basic amenities to guests. The Inspection Bungalow is available for the tourists which must be booked in advance through the State department. Other hotels have nice rooms with common toilets. Bijanbari is also a halt for the trekkers on their return trip to Darjeeling from Sandakphu. Trekkers will not find it difficult to adjust with the existing facilities.
Attractions in Bijanbari
The route through which tourists reach Bijanbari through Ghoom is full of waterfalls, swiftly flowing mountain streams and tea gardens. The Hima Falls which is a popular picnic spot is nearby. Visitors cross the bridge over the stream and enjoy themselves in the lap of nature. Tea gardens like Chontong, Rishihaat and Marybong will also fall enroute to Bijanbari as will pass a 50 ft high rock known as the Bishwanbhar Rock. The special feature of the rock is that it stands straight at a height of 50 feet. The Chota Rangeet river banks are also interesting picnic spots with some small eateries.
Take out some time to see the vast stretches of farm lands in Bijanbari. They cultivate rice, millets, peas, maize, cabbages, tomatoes, cauliflowers and beans. The fruit orchards are also close by where you will find oranges, plums, pineapples and squash in large quantities. Along with the lands you can also visit Jhepi, Thapagaon, Sumbuck villages. Traveling down 2 kilometers from Bijanbari will bring you to Pulbazar where the famous sericulture farmhouse is located. Other places of interest include Shiv Temple in Pulbazar, Pulbazar Haat (market), hydroelectric power plant in Lodhoma, Som Tea Estate, Relling including points Home Dara and School Dara and Gok and Kainjalia picnic spots.