West Bengal is home to a variety of tourist destinations that offer a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Some of the popular places to visit in the state include:
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta): The capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata is known for its colonial architecture, cultural heritage, and rich history. Some of the popular tourist attractions in the city include Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Indian Museum.
Darjeeling: Known for its tea gardens and scenic mountain views, Darjeeling is a popular hill station located in the northern part of West Bengal. Visitors can take a toy train ride, visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, and enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Sundarbans: The Sundarbans is a vast mangrove forest located in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. It is home to the Bengal tiger and a variety of other wildlife. Visitors can take a boat tour to explore the mangroves and see the wildlife.
Howrah Bridge: Howrah Bridge is an iconic cantilever bridge that spans the Hooghly River in Kolkata. It is one of the oldest and busiest bridges in the city, and offers great views of the river and the city.
Digha: Digha is a popular seaside resort town located on the Bay of Bengal, known for its sandy beaches, temples and seafood.
Santiniketan: Santiniketan is a small town located in Birbhum district, known for being the abode of Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel laureate poet and philosopher. Visitors can see his house and the university established by him Visva Bharati University.
Bishnupur: Bishnupur is a small town located in Bankura district, known for its terracotta temples and its traditional Baluchari silk saris.
Kalimpong: Kalimpong is a hill station located in the northern part of West Bengal, known for its colonial architecture, Buddhist monasteries, and beautiful views of the Himalayas.
These are some of the popular places to visit in West Bengal, but the state has many more places that are worth exploring.
In addition to the places I mentioned earlier, here are some more places to visit in West Bengal:
Hill Cart Road: This road connects Darjeeling and Siliguri and offers some of the most beautiful views of the Himalayas and the tea gardens. Visitors can take a car or bike ride along the road to see the picturesque landscapes.
Sundarban National Park: This is a the largest mangrove forest in the world. Visitors can take a boat tour to explore the park and see the diverse wildlife, including the Bengal tiger, crocodiles, and various species of birds.
Cooch Behar Palace: This palace is an architectural marvel built in the European Renaissance style, located in Cooch Behar district. Visitors can see the intricate carvings, frescoes, and paintings inside the palace.
Jaldapara National Park: This is one of the best places to see the Indian one-horned rhinoceros in the wild, along with other wildlife such as elephants, bison and tigers.
Murshidabad: This is a historically rich city located on the banks of the Bhagirathi river, known for its palaces, temples, and monuments built during the Nawabi period.
Belur Math: This is a spiritual and cultural center located in Kolkata, founded by Swami Vivekananda, one of the most influential spiritual leaders of India.
Asansol: This is a mining and industrial city located in the Bardhaman district, known for its beautiful gardens, temples and the unique culture of the coal miners.
These are some more places to visit in West Bengal, which showcases the rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and natural beauty of the state.
