Kolkata –the city of joy is blessed with some beautiful and spectacular destinations surrounding its physical placement that prove to be the best tourist places to visit near Kolkata.
The City of Joy has plenty on offer to tourists who are ready to explore. Whether you are a literature student or a person who likes to dive deep into different cultures, there is something for everyone.
If you are planning to visit the city anytime soon, here is a list of all the best places to visit near Kolkata. Check out:
1. Sunderban:
Image Source: United News Of Bangladesh
If you are a nature lover then you are in a right place. Sundarban Tiger Reserves, which has opened its gates for adventure seekers and nature lovers. So those who were missing jungle safari and greenery, can now do so at this famous tiger reserve in West Bengal.
The government gave permission to reopen the tiger reserve in June for the tourists. Sunderban is located at the Southeastern tip of the 24 Paraganas district about 110 km from Kolkata. It is famous for its mangrove plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor). Sundarbans are a part of the world's largest delta, formed by the mighty rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna.
It is one of the most attractive and alluring places remaining on earth, a truly undiscovered paradise. Sunderban is home to one of India’s most iconic wildlife species - the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is one of the best tourist spots to visit.
2. Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary:
Image Source: Shikhar Travels
It is another must-visit place in Kolkata, it is located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and is one of the major strongholds for the rare one-horned Indian Rhino. The forest reserve is spread across an area of 216.51 square kilometers and is home to a huge variety of flora and fauna. You can find out the various animal species found here the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephants, Sambar, Indian Bison, wild boar, etc.
The Jaldapara National Park rests on the banks of River Torsa bordering Bhutan and is a must-have on all Dooars journey. This park is at an elevation of 61 metres and homes a nice combination of grasslands and riverine forests. It is also a Habitat Management Area of Category IV. The National Park lies in the vicinity of the Chilapata Forests and the Gorumara National Park.
3. Kalimpong:
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Kalimpong has become an important tourist destination due to its temperate climate and proximity to popular regional tourist locations. It has a virgin hill station in West Bengal renowned for its panoramic valley views, Buddhist monasteries, churches, Tibetan handicrafts, etc.
It is famous for its flower market, especially the wide array of orchids. Although not many travellers bother to visit Kalimpong, there's enough here to keep you occupied for a couple of days, and for the energetic, there's some good trekking and river-rafting in the river Teesta.
It is home to colonial-era buildings like MacFarlane Memorial Church, named after a Scottish missionary. South, the hilltop Durpin Monastery, or Zang Dhok Palri Phodang, contains sacred Buddhist scriptures. Deolo Park has landscaped gardens and offers views of the town and surrounding hills.
4. Mayapur:
Image Source: Tour Rader
Mayapur is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Kolkata, known for its spiritual mysticism. Mayapur is located at the confluence of Rivers Ganga and Jalangi on Antardwip, one of the 9 holy islands that form Navadvip. Mayapur was established in the 14th century at the birth of Lord Krishna’s incarnate Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the place offers a calming escape and glorious views.
It has the most beautiful and magnificent ISKCON Temple, the global headquarters of the Krishna Consciousness Movement, which houses the Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada.
The best time to visit here is in the Monsoon months (July-September) and winter months (November-February). Mayapur has also many beautiful Ancient temples like Sri Devananda Gaudiya Math & Sri Chaitanya Math. Temple of Vedic Planetarium depicting the union of Vedic scriptures and the universe.
5. Mandarmani:
Image Source: Kayak
Mandarmani is a resort town on the outskirts of Kolkata. It lies in the East Midnapore district, at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. This place is an excellent destination with picturesque scenic beauty and sandy coastlines.
It is one of the largest seaside resorts in West Bengal, fast-developing. This place is a perfect long weekend getaway from Kolkata away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd with top-notch facilities and luxury. The best time to visit Mandarmani is From October to February. The beach also happens to be the longest motorable beach in India and the high-speed ride on the beach will give you an ultimate thrill.
So here we end this blog for today! Hope you got some good ideas for holiday planning with friends or family. Let us know your views on comment and share which tourist spot is your favorite, till then #StayDarooon.