From the magnificent Himalaya to the green of the mountain resorts: West Bengal is a land full of natural beauty. Adding to its charm are the magnificent heritage architecture, the colorful popular festivals, the arts and crafts, traditional and contemporary music, and the delicious ethnic specialties that make West Bengal truly a brilliant experience that offers diversity unique.

Its capital, Calcutta, is a cosmopolitan city like any other. In the immediate vicinity are the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which houses the Royal Bengal Tiger.
A different travel experience awaits you in places like Bishnupur, Bankura and Shantiniketan, with their rich heritage.
Mountain resorts such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Labha are pleasant exciting escapes from the plains and are known for their distinct culture and lifestyle.
The parks of Jaldapara and Gorumara attract are worth a visit for their rich wildlife.
In pilgrimage destinations such as Dakshineswar and Kalighat you will have a profound spiritual experience.

Calcutta is a cultural ensemble, dotted with museums, art galleries, temples and buildings from the colonial era. One of the most famous of the latter is the Victoria Memorial.
Recognizable from a distance by his Angel of Victory which is located at the top of the structure and blows with the wind, it consists of 25 galleries which house a remarkable collection of paintings, artifacts, fabrics, coins and objects belonging to the Queen. Other structures reminiscent of the British presence are the bow barracks, the Calcutta Supreme Court and St. Paul's Cathedral.

West Bengala Parks
An exciting travel experience awaits visitors in the numerous national parks in West Bengal. All of these are located in the region known as Duars.
The most famous of these is Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary which also boasts the highest population of rhinos in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The topography of the park is characterized by grasslands, river banks, tall grasses that cover vast areas and streams that flow throughout the year.
Gorumara National Park is also famous for its rich collection of fauna and flora. Located about 80 km from Jaldapara, it is famous for Asian elephants, peacocks and bisons. Wildlife in the park can be observed from the numerous watchtowers located within the park. Some of these are Jatraprasad Watch Tower, Rhino Observation Point and Chandrachur Watch Tower. Other famous wildlife areas are the Chilapata forest and Khairbari.

West Bengal's tourist attractions also include its beautiful hillside locations, the most famous of which is Darjeeling, also known as the Queen of Hill Stations.
The mere fact of visiting Darjeeling is a pleasure in itself, with its incredible landscapes and its pleasant climate.
You can take a train ride (UNESCO World Heritage Site) while it climbs between the curves, or watching the sunrise from Tiger Hill. You can enjoy a walk in The Mall area or visit other tourist attractions such as Shanti Stupa, Batasia Loop, Peace Pagoda, Bhutia Busty Monastery and Darjeeling Himalayan Zoo.

Kalimpong is a quiet town located at an altitude of almost 1200 m. The natural scenery of this place together with the dominant Tibetan Buddhist culture makes it fascinating for tourists. In Durpin Dhanda, you can see several Sikkim mountain ranges along with the confluence of numerous rivers such as Relli, Riang and Teesta. In Kalimpong, you can also go white water rafting along the Teesta and Rangit rivers.

About 3 hours from Darjeeling is Mirik, a place where you can have a picnic, go boating, go horseback riding and explore the tea plantations. Sandakphu deserves special mention, as it is the highest peak in West Bengal.

West Bengal also offers a spiritual experience as it hosts several pilgrimage destinations. One of these is Gangasagar. It is visited by thousands of pilgrims and visitors, as taking a dip here is believed to purify all sins.
Belur Math is another place famous for the faithful and is mainly associated with Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

There are several churches that you can visit in West Bengal and many of them are famous for their history and historical value.
The most famous is the Cathedral of San Giacomo in Calcutta, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Jewish synagogues are also part of pilgrimage destinations in West Bengal, with some of the oldest in the state such as Maghen David Synagogue, Neveh Shalome and Magen Aboth.

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