'''Siliguri''' [http://www.siligurismc.com/] is a city in Darjeeling district in the northern part of West Bengal, India.
Understand
As one of the most important transportation hubs in the north east, Siliguri has recently become something of a boom town. Sprawling and boisterous, modern condominiums dominate the landscape on entering the town, followed by endless streets of market stalls which surround a core of car show rooms and shopping malls. While it is a popular place to shop and do business for people from the North East and Bhutan, there is no good reason for tourists to linger in Siliguri. However, travelers heading towards Bhutan, Darjeeling and Sikkim may need to spend a night here. With a population of over 500,000, Siliguri is the second largest city in West Bengal and boasts the highest literacy rates in the state.
Get in
By train
Siliguri has two important railway stations: Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) besides 'Siliguri Town'. NJP connects Siliguri with Gauhati/Dibrugarh in the north-east, Jaipur/Jodhpur/Mumbai etc in the west, Delhi/Kolkata etc in the north and Trivandrum/Cochin etc in the south. Siliguri Junction mainly serves short distance meter gauge line trains along with a new broad gauge line up to NJP. NJP is about a twenty to thirty minute ride from the city center.
By bus
There are regular buses to/from Kolkata. The well-known and comfortable Siliguri Rocket, run by the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC), leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 8am (Rs. 245). Some private bus lines also ply the route. The 'Royal Cruiser' Volvo buses run by Gupta Travel (Tel: ''+91 353'' 251-3451) leaves Kolkata at 8PM arriving Siliguri at 9am (Rs. 745 AC/Rs. 325 non-AC).
Under a joint understanding between Indian and Bangladeshi transport authority, there are regular bus services to/from Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh. BRTC (Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation) buses leave Dhaka everynight at 8 PM and reach India-Bangladesh border at Changrabanda post at early morning. These buses will not cross the border and the passengers have to clear customs, walk a few hundred yards to cross the border and board the waiting Indian buses for another three hour ride to Siliguri. The buses are air conditioned, very comfortable and depart on time. A One way fare for Dhaka to Siliguri is between USD 20 to 25, depending on conversion rates.
There is a regular bus service from Phuentsholing in Bhutan and the Bhutanese border town of Jaigon to Siliguri. The Bhutan Government buses depart across from the bus station, near the Hotel Heritage.
The bus station is located across the street from the Sher-e-Punjab Hotel on Hill Cart Road (Tenzing Norgay Road).
By plane
The closest major international airport is at Kolkata, approx 570km south of Siliguri. The Bagdogra Airport is just 14km from the heart of Siliguri and has links with most major Indian cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati, while Druk Air operates flights from Bangkok twice a week (incoming in Sundays and Wednesdays, outgoing on Tuesdays and Saturdays). Flights on the Bangkok route begin or terminate in Paro, Bhutan. Taxis are available from the airport to Siliguri, as well as to Darjeeling and Gangtok, though these are expensive. Cheaper options are available from Siliguri bus station.
Get around
Walking is one method of getting around however one needs to be constantly alert, aware and awake since the traffic in all of India can be very chaotic and dangerously deadly. It is recommended that one opt for cycles rickshaws, city autos, buses or one can hire a private taxi.
See
'''Salugara Monastery'''. A monastery in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The compound includes a 100 foot stupa consecrated by the late Kalu Rinpoche.
'''Iskon Temple [http://www.iskconsiliguri.in]'''.
The '''Coronation Bridge''' at Sevoke. This is about 23 km from the city on way to Gangtok/Kalimpong and Dooars on the National Highway 31.
The '''Science City''' at Matigara on the northern suburbs.
'''Savin Kingdom''', Dagapur (near Darjeeling). An amusement park.
Do
'''Swimming''', Viramma Club.
'''Club Cabana'''. Siliguri's most popular disco.
'''Siliguri Club'''. Houses the biggest swimming pool in the whole of North Bengal.
'''Blue Mountain Club'''. A relaxing country-club with landscaped gardens.
The '''Kunchenjunga stadium and the Netaji Indoor Stadium'''. Exhibitions and varied events.
'''Tea Estate Tours'''. Visit the serene and spacious tea farms located in and around the city.
'''Seven Kingdoms'''. An amusement park located among tea plantations.dagapur temple
Buy
Basically, Silguri sells its wares on two streets - Hillcart Road and Sevoke Road. The former offers more traditional stores and is home to many of the city's hotels, while Sevoke offers more upscale shopping and is the center of the city's banking.
Malls
'''Sunflower Shopping Mall'''. An up-market shopping center.
'''Cosmos Mall''', Sevoke Road. A large and up-scale mall.
'''City Mall''', Sevoke Road
Street markets
'''Bidhan Market'''.
'''Hong Kong Market'''. Specializes in imported goods - mostly from China.
'''Nivedita Market'''
seth srilal market. buzzing market in the heart of the city . get the best deal in this mkt. also famous for its momo gulli
Books
'''Oxford Books'''. GF., Cosmos Shopping Mall. A small, but well organized book store.
Eat
'''Cinderellas'''
'''Viramma''' at Viramma Resort, Dagapur.
'''Banake''' at Sharma Sweets at Mahabirsthan.
'''Sweets''' at Rasoraj, Mahabirsthan.
''' Viramma Restaurant (Viramma Resort)'''.
'''Palm court(Sinclairs)'''
'''Pamm (Vinayak)'''
'''Amber(Saluja Residency)'''
'''Ranjit'''. South Indian cuisine
'''Taiwah'''. Chinese cuisone.
'''Kalpana'''. Excellent Bengali cuisine.
'''Kalpatru'''. Excellent Bengali cuisine
'''Zaika '''. Excellent Moughali dishes
Drink
'''Coffee Day''', Cosmos Mall, 2nd Mile Sevoke Road.
'''O2 in Sinclairs'''. Worth checking out for a nice evening drink and snacks.
Sleep
As a major transportation hub and business center, Siliguri has a host of hotels. Many are located on the main thoroughfare, Hill Cart Road.
Budget
'''Mainak Tourist Lodge''', Hill Cart Road (also known as Tenzin Norgay Road), Pradhan Nagar. Tel:''+91 353'' 251-2859. Not as grand on the inside as on the out, but still good value. Standard: single - 340Rs, double - 450Rs, Deluxe: single - 525Rs, double - 700Rs.
'''Dewan's Hotel''', NJP Railway Station. Tel:''+91 353'' 734-007. A simple, but clean hotel located just outside New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Station. After exiting station, turn into first alley on right (adjacent to the taxi parking lot). The hotel is at the end of the alley.
Mid-range
'''Hotel Heritage''', Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar. Tel:''+91 353'' 734-003. Conveniently located across from the city's main interstate bus station, Heritage is a well maintained and efficiently run hotel. 500rs non A/C to 2,500rs for suite.
'''Hotel Manila''', Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar. Tel: ''+91 353'' 251-9342. Located next to Hotel Heritage. 600rs non A/C to 2,400rs for suite.
'''Hotel Central Plaza''', Hill Cart Road, Pradham Nagar. Tel: ''91 353'' 251-6119. Located about a five minute taxi ride from main bus station. Clean and acceptable facilities. 650rs non A/C to 3,500rs for suite.
Splurge
'''Viramma Resort'''. [http://www.viramma.com] A luxury resort on the Darjeeling highway.
'''Hotel Sinclairs'''. Pradhan Nagar. Tel: ''+91 253'' 251-7674 [http://www.sinclairshotels.com/siliguri/index.php3]. A well maintained hotel with good facilities. Located about a five minute taxi ride from main bus station.
'''Hotel Cindrella'''. [http://www.cindrellahotels.com] A four star hotel on Sevoke Road.
Contact
There are a host of internet cafes in the lanes behind Hotel Heritage/Hotel Manila (across from the main bus station). There is also an internet cafe among the row of restaurants directly outside NJP Station. Web connections in Siliguri are fast and reliable.
Cope
There are several banks on Sevoke Road that offer money change and ATM service.
Get out
Gompa Dara
Darjeeling
Kalimpong
Gangtok
Lava
Loleygaon or Lolegaon
Rishop
Dello
Phuentsholing. The Bhutan Government buses depart for Phuentsholing at 7:30AM and 1:30PM everyday from directly across from the bus station (near Hotel Heritage) - tickets are available on the bus. There are more frequent Indian buses to the border town of Jaigaon.
Mongpu
Pelling
'''Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary'''. The main entrace is through Sukna about 12 km from the city centre. There is a nature interpretation centre at Sukna showcasing local flora and fauna