The Tailor-Made Guide to the 8 Best Tourist Places in Siliguri

Barry Pickard
5 days ago
9 min read

Collage featuring Siliguri's best tourist spots: a golden Buddha, a tiger walking, a monastery, and a brightly lit temple dome. Best tourist places in Siliguri.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless of this, please be advised that all opinions expressed in this blog post are genuine and authentically my own.

Author: Barry Pickard

Hi, I'm Barry, the owner of Tailor-Made Itineraries and I have been designing bespoke self-guided tours for adventurous and curious travellers since 2015. I am a history graduate with a passion for travel.

I created this blog to show, through my own adventures, how you can have an incredible travel experience as an independent traveller, giving you the information to navigate the world with confidence.

Colorful temple interior with mosaic walls and ceiling. A mural features a mythological scene with a deity and a serpent over water. Best tourist places in Siliguri.

About Siliguri

ISKCON Siliguri

Bengal Safari

Ewam Monastery

Hong Kong Market

Sed Gyued Monastery

North Bengal Science Centre

Shri Krishna Pranami Temple

Tri-Ratna Buddhist Monastery

Where to Stay

Quick Questions Answered

Conclusion

About Siliguri

Siliguri, a bustling city in West Bengal, India, is often called the Gateway to Northeast India due to its strategic location at the foothills of the Himalayas. Nestled along the banks of the Mahananda River, it serves as a vital commercial and transportation hub, connecting India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country. Historically, Siliguri evolved from a small trading post into a thriving metropolis, gaining prominence during the British colonial era as a key transit point for tea, timber, and tourism. Over time, it has grown into a vibrant city, rich in cultural diversity, with influences from Bengali, Nepali, and Tibetan traditions. Today, Siliguri is not only a gateway to famous hill stations like Darjeeling and Kalimpong, but also home to attractions such as the Bengal Safari, ISKCON Temple, and Hong Kong Market, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking both adventure and heritage.

Illuminated ornate temple at night with golden details, artwork on walls, and a patterned walkway. Peaceful atmosphere. Best tourist places in Siliguri. — Shri Krishna Pranami Temple

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The Best Tourist Places in Siliguri

1. ISKCON Siliguri

ISKCON Siliguri, part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is a spiritual and cultural centre. When visiting this impressive temple in the evening, I found it a lively, buzzing atmosphere, with many devotees arriving to worship Lord Krishna and to follow the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic scriptures.

Illuminated temple at night with colorful lights, surrounded by lush gardens and blooming flowers, against a dark sky backdrop. Best tourist places in Siliguri. — ISKCON Siliguri

Tailor-Made Top Tip:

There is a tour available for a small sound and light show that is held in rooms in the upper level of the temple. This can be accessed by going up the stairs on the outside of the building.

2. Bengal Safari

The Bengal Safari, also known as the North Bengal Wild Animals Park, is an exciting wildlife park located a short drive to the north of Siliguri. Spanning over 297 hectares, this park is part zoo and part safari and arguably the most popular Siliguri tourist places. Many species from West Bengal and wider India are on display in the zoo, and there are also canteen facilities and play areas for children. You can also pay extra to go on a safari in one of the park’s minibuses. This entertaining drive took me through the park’s extensive grounds, giving me the opportunity to see Tigers, Asiatic Black Bears, Leopards and various types of Deer up close.

A tiger walks on a dirt path in an enclosure, surrounded by wire fencing. The ground is covered with dry leaves. The mood is serene. Best tourist places in Siliguri. — Bengal Safari

Tailor-Made Top Tip:

The safaris can be popular, so it is a good idea to book this in advance through Bengal Safari’s website, however, you will need access to an Indian mobile phone to do so. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance if booking online is not possible.

3. Ewam Monastery

In the same neighbourhood as Bengal Safari, it makes sense to visit the Ewam Monastery at the same time. This large Tibetan Buddhist monastery is part of the Ewam International network of monasteries and centres, which are dedicated to the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

People gather at a large ornate temple with golden details, set against a cloudy sky. They wear colorful clothing, creating a lively atmosphere. Best tourist places in Siliguri. — Ewam Monastery

The monastery was established to preserve and promote the teachings of the Nyingma tradition, one of the oldest schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It serves as a spiritual and educational centre, offering various programs, retreats, and teachings to both monastic and lay practitioners.

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4. Hong Kong Market

The Hong Kong Market is a bustling and vibrant shopping area located in the heart of the city. The market is famous in West Bengal for offering a vast collection of clothes, shoes, electronics, and other commodities. You can find everything from the latest gadgets to delicate china. The market is also known for its bargaining culture. I visited during the evening and found the market to be lively, vibrant and adorned with colourful lights and banners.

Tailor-Made Top Tip:

This was my first chance to experience fresh sugar cane water, and what a revelation it was. So tasty! If you get the chance, make sure to try it.

5. Sed Gyued Monastery

The Sed Gyued Monastery, also known as the Salugara Monastery has a rich history dating back to the 14th century when it was initially established by Je-Tsong-Khapa. However, it was destroyed during the Indo-Chinese War in 1959 and later rebuilt. It serves as a centre for Buddhist studies and practices, offering various programs and retreats. The monastery is home to over 90 monks and 18 staff members. The Sed Gyued Monastery is dedicated to preserving the teachings and practices of the Sed Gyued lineage, also known as the Whispered lineage. This lineage follows private teachings, passed only to selected disciples by a guru or meditational deity.

Yellow and red temple with a large staircase in front, surrounded by greenery. Peaceful atmosphere, intricate details on the facade. Best tourist places in Siliguri. — Sed Gyued Monastery

6. North Bengal Science Centre

The North Bengal Science Centre is a dynamic and engaging science museum dedicated to promoting scientific knowledge and curiosity among visitors of all ages, although is more focused on younger visitors. Established in 1997, it features a variety of exhibits and attractions, including a Digital Planetarium, Science Park, and galleries focused on topics like light, mirrors, images, and nature interpretation. The centre also has the obligatory dinosaur, and if you have been following my other posts on West Bengal, you won’t be surprised by this!

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7. Shri Krishna Pranami Temple

The Shri Krishna Pranami Temple is a serene place of worship dedicated to Lord Krishna, and its colourful glass-work interiors make a visit to this temple a delight. It is a relatively new temple, with its marvellous art depicting the life stages of Lord Krisna. A welcome addition to the essential Siliguri places to visit.

8. Tri-Ratna Buddhist Monastery

The Tri-Ratna Buddhist Monastery is located in Salbari, which is a short 15–20-minute drive from the city centre. It belongs to the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is known for its ancient teachings and peaceful practices. The monastery features traditional Tibetan architectural elements, creating a tranquil and meditative environment.

Colorful Buddhist monastery with vibrant red and yellow patterns. Buddha statues visible. Prayer flags hang in front. Clear sky background. Best tourist places in Siliguri. — Tri-Ratna Buddhist Monastery

Where to Stay

Siliguri has a large selection of budget and moderate accommodation such as Yashshree Imperial, The Autograph Inn, and The Loft Hotel, Siliguri. There are also a handful of quality chain hotels such as the Mayfair Tea Resort and the Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri.

How to Get to Siliguri

By Air: The airport at Siliguri is called Bagdogra International Airport (IXB). Bagdogra to Siliguri city centre is about 14 kilometres. It connects major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati. International flights from Bangkok and Paro also land here.

By Train: New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) is the primary railway station, about a 20-minute drive from the centre of Siliguri. NJP connects to major cities across India and offers services like Rajdhani Express, Vistadome Express, and Shatabdi Express. Siliguri Junction and Siliguri Town railway stations are additional options for local routes

By Bus: Siliguri is well-connected by road, with direct buses from major cities like Kolkata, Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Guwahati. Buses are a budget friendly.

By Car: You can also drive to Siliguri or hire a taxi. The city is accessible via National Highway 31.

Quick Questions Answered

When is it best to visit Silguri? The best time to visit Siliguri is during the winter months from October to February. The climate of Siliguri during this time is cool and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 25°C. Avoid the hot and humid summer months and the rainy monsoon season.
What language do people in Siliguri speak? The primary language spoken is Bengali, which is the official language of West Bengal. However, due to the city’s diverse population, several other languages are also commonly spoken, including Hindi, Nepali, English, Bhojpuri, Assamese, Tibetan, and Marwari.
What are the local dishes of Siliguri? Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, Siliguri boasts a vibrant food culture influenced by Bengali, Nepali, and Tibetan cuisines. Try Thukpa (noodle soup with vegetables and meat, seasoned with aromatic spices), Momos (steamed or fried dumplings filled with vegetables or meat), Aloo Dum (a spicy and tangy potato curry), Sel Roti (a Nepali rice doughnut), and Nolen Gurer Sandesh (a Bengali sweet made from paneer or chhena, sweetened with date palm jaggery).
Which hill station is closest to Siliguri? Kurseong is closest to Siliguri city centre, with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Mirik also close to hand.
How do I get to Darjeeling from Siliguri? A private taxi or hired driver will get you to Darjeeling in just over two hours. But a unique way is to take the Toy Train (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway), which takes around 7 hours. Or perhaps mix the two methods of transportation, by taking the car to the hill station, then the Darjeeling to Siliguri toy train.
What is the distance from Siliguri to Darjeeling? It is just over 60 km or 40 miles between the two cities
How many days are required to visit Siliguri? It took two full days to cover the attractions mentioned in this post.
How far is the border from Siliguri? The city straggles the northern border of Bangladesh, so it is only a 30-minute drive from the centre of Siliguri to the border crossing at Fulbari. Meanwhile, you can drive to the border crossing of Kakarbhitta in under an hour to get you to Nepal. While the nearest border crossing into Bhutan is at Jaigaon, which takes over three hours to drive to.

Conclusion

As my journey through Siliguri comes to an end, I hope my experiences have inspired you to explore this vibrant city. From the spiritual havens to the bustling markets, Siliguri offers a unique blend of culture, adventure, and tranquillity that caters to every traveller’s taste. Don't miss out on these incredible destinations—start planning your trip today!