West Bengal has many hidden places to visit beyond the famous ones like Darjeeling and Kolkata. If you want to see new things, we have some ideas for you. In this article, we’ll talk about 6 places that not many people know about. These places are great for people who like to explore. You can see different kinds of beauty and culture in West Bengal at these spots.
These less-known places are special because they don’t have many tourists. You can see nature that’s still untouched, learn about old stories, and meet local people. From old buildings to quiet forests, each place has something different to show. Get ready to see a side of West Bengal that not many people know about!
Chandraketugarh: Ancient Archaeological Wonder
Chandraketugarh is a special old place about 35 km from Kolkata in West Bengal. It’s from around 2300 years ago and shows us how people lived back then. If you like old things, you’ll really enjoy this place.
People have found many old things here. They found Buddha buildings, old coins, and pretty clay tiles. These show that smart people with good art skills lived here long ago. The things they made are as good as those from other famous old places in India.
There are also stories about Chandraketugarh. People say it’s named after a king called Chandraketu who built a big fort here. Another story talks about a temple of Khana and Mihir, who knew a lot about stars and planets in old times.
It’s easy to go to Chandraketugarh. You can drive there in 2 hours from Kolkata. You can also take a bus from Ultadanga or Esplanade to Barasat, then get a local ride to the place. When you go, be ready to learn and imagine how things were long ago in West Bengal!
Garh Panchkot: Ruins with a View
Garh Panchkot is a hidden old fort in the Purulia area of West Bengal. It’s at the bottom of Panchet Hill and has both old buildings and pretty views. The broken walls tell stories from long ago, and the area around it looks very nice.
The fort has an interesting story. A group called Bargis attacked it about 300 years ago. People say the king’s 17 wives jumped in a well nearby when this happened. These stories make the old stones even more interesting.
When you look around Garh Panchkot, it feels like going back in time. You can see parts of how they kept the fort safe, like a half-circle water area and thick stone walls. Up high, where guards used to stay, you can see far all around. The broken palace shows how big and nice the fort used to be.
After seeing the fort, you can climb Panchet Hill if you like adventures. If you enjoy nature, you can walk by the Damodar River. It’s really nice to see in the rainy season when there’s lots of water. These things to do make Garh Panchkot good for people who like old things and being outside.
Taki: Riverside Retreat on the Border
Taki is a nice town in North 24 Parganas area of West Bengal. It’s next to the Ichamati River. This quiet place lets you stay in a garden house and enjoy the calm river view. It’s a good place to get away from busy city life.
River Cruises and Picnic Spots
The best thing in Taki is going on the river. You can ride a wooden boat to the middle of Ichamati. There, you can wave to people from Bangladesh on the other side. It’s a fun way to meet people that you can’t do in many places!
Rural Life and Local Cuisine
Taki has lots of things to see about local life. You can look at old broken houses of rich people from long ago. Each house has its own story. Also, visit the 300-year-old Jora Shib Mandir to see how people built things here. If you like food, try the famous sweet called “chanar malpoa”. It tastes really good.
It’s easy to go to Taki. You can take a train from Sealdah Station to Taki Road Station. It takes about 2 hours. If you like to go by road, buses from Esplanade take about 3.5 hours. You can stay in a garden house. Don’t forget to bring a photo ID for the BSF permit at the border.
Dooars: Gateway to Bhutan and Northeast India
Dooars means ‘doors’ in local languages. It’s a good name because this green area in north West Bengal is like a door to Bhutan and Northeast India. Dooars goes from the Teesta to the Sankosh rivers and has many different kinds of land to see.
Wildlife and Nature Reserves
If you like nature, you’ll love Dooars. It has some of India’s best places to see animals. In Gorumara National Park, you might see the rare one-horned rhino. At Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, you could see elephants living in nature. These parks are great places to learn about many kinds of plants and animals.
Tea Estates and Adventure Activities
Dooars isn’t just about animals. It’s also famous for big tea gardens. You can learn how tea is made and see nice views. If you like exciting things, you can go rafting on the Teesta River. It’s a good mix of quiet and fun activities!
The best time to go to Dooars is from October to May when the weather is nice. You can get there by train to New Jalpaiguri or Alipurduar stations. Or you can take a bus from Kolkata to Siliguri. Remember to bring light clothes for the day and some warm clothes for cool nights in West Bengal.
Samsing: Tea Gardens and Himalayan Views
Samsing is a pretty hill village in the Jalpaiguri area of West Bengal. It’s 3000 feet high and has lots of tea gardens and nice mountain views. It’s a good place to go if you want to get away from noisy cities.
When the sky is clear, you can see snow-covered Bhutanese mountains from Samsing. Just 18 km away is Neora Valley National Park, which has many kinds of plants and animals. It’s like getting two great places to visit in one trip!
For a fun day out, you can go to places like Lali Guras or Rocky Island for a picnic. You can also walk around the tea gardens and breathe fresh mountain air. If you like birds, you can watch them near the Murti River.
Samsing is special because different groups of people live there, like Pahari and Madhesia. You can stay in local people’s homes or in a Forest Development Corporation house. To get to Samsing, take a train to New Mal Junction and then a taxi for the last part of the trip.
Lepchajagat: Tranquil Forest Retreat
Lepchajagat means “world of the Lepchas” and it’s a quiet forest village just 19 km from Darjeeling in West Bengal. This hidden place is peaceful, unlike busy Darjeeling. It’s a place where you can relax and enjoy nature.
The best thing about Lepchajagat is the amazing view of Kanchenjunga mountain. You can wake up and see the world’s third-highest mountain shining in the morning sun. The thick forests around make it feel like a secret mountain hideout.
You can go to nearby Pashupati, a town in Nepal, to buy things. Visit Sukiapokhar to see clear views of the Himalaya mountains. If you like nature, go to Jorepokhari to see the rare Himalayan Salamander and two lakes that give the place its name.
The best time to visit Lepchajagat is from March to May or September to November when you can see the mountains clearly. Stay at the nice WBFDC Forest Bungalow to really feel like you’re in the forest. Remember to book early because there aren’t many places to stay in this beautiful West Bengal retreat.
Also Read : Gangtok Top 6 Best Visiting Places for Tourists
Conclusion: Exploring West Bengal’s Hidden Gems
These six special places show how different and nice West Bengal can be. From old broken buildings to foggy hills, each place gives you a new thing to see and do. You can learn about old stories, see pretty views, and meet friendly local people. Many visitors don’t see this side of West Bengal.
Don’t just go to Kolkata and Darjeeling. These hidden places are waiting for you to find them. When you go to these new places, you’ll make memories you’ll remember for a long time. You might even start to like a West Bengal you didn’t know about before.
When you plan your trip, remember to be a good visitor. These less-known areas have special nature and ways of life. Be nice to local people’s habits, buy things from small shops, and don’t leave any trash. This way, you help keep these magical places nice for people who come later. So get your bags ready and go see the secret nice places in West Bengal!