Darjeeling:
Darjeeling has been known to be a popular tourist destination in the past but
in the recent years political turmoil has hampered it. Therefore to turn the
tables and bring back the glory of the “Queen of Hills” the Gorkha Territorial
Administration has decided to promote “Chitrey” as a tourist spot. Located at a
distance of about 7 kilometres from the main town this new tourist spot seems
to be picking up the tide.
Nestled between the lush
greenery of tea garden and the mighty Kanchendzonga horizon, Chitrey is a
stoppage point to those traveling to the Tibetan Refugee Center or Lebong.
This quaint settlement in the middle of nowhere is popular among tourists for
one can enjoy the quietness with a cup of fine Darjeeling tea in the tea garden
itself. The roadside of Chitrey has many shops where you can eat and drink
whilst looking over the vast expanse of the tea garden.
The shops that are here are not
concrete ones but they are made out of bamboos thus giving it an exotic look.
About 15-20 shops are present at Chitrey and the only source of income to
sustain their families. These shops may look small and inefficient but the
delicacies that they offer will have you licking your fingers. Some of these
mouth watering delicacies are momos, thukpa, tshya-falay etc.