Mirik tourism

Mirik is a picturesque tourist spot nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of Mirik Mirik Bazar, Thana Line, Krishnanagar, Deuseydara, Thurbo, Mirik Busty and Byapari Golai are some localities in Mirik where accommodation is available for tourists. However, the majority of the hotels and restaurants are in the Krishnanagar area of Mirik. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration operates a motel at a hilltop near the helipad at Ahalay and another tourist lodge located near the lake. There are other good hotels in Krishnanagar such as Jagjeet, Sadbhavna, Ratnagiri, Mhelung, The Park Hotel, Viraz, Parijat and Blue Lagoon. There are some hotels in Mirik Bazar such as Boudi Hotel and Hotel Payal. There are many lodges and private guest houses such as Nigha, Ashirvad and Buddha. There is a beautiful Forest Rest House in Mirik that can be booked from the District Forest Office, Kurseong. There is also a PWD (Public Works Department) Inspection Bungalow near the lake that can be booked from Siliguri PWD office. Rangbhang Homestay is the first homestay in the Mirik Valley and offers one-of-a-kind experience.
There are numerous eateries catering to different tastes. Nesang's Gorkha cafe and restaurant serves Gorkha dishes and showcases Gorkha tradition and culture. Kolkata Hotel serves pure Bengali food. T Plus is an ideal fast food center. Geetanjali Nepali Hotel and Hills Restaurant are other restaurants. There are some foreign liquor off-shops and bars. Hotel Lohit Sagar and Tejashwee Fast Food serves pure vegetarian food, including South Indian dishes. There is a departmental store for foodstuffs and soft drinks attached to Mirik petrol pump. Near the lake, there are many food stalls that serve fast food.. The name Mirik comes from the Lepcha words Mir-Yok meaning "place burnt by fire".

Mirik has become a popular tourist destination for its climate, natural beauty and easy accessibility. The centre of all attraction is Sumendu Lake, surrounded by a garden named Savitri Pushpaudyan (after Savitri Thapa, a martyr soldier of INA) on one side and pine trees on the other, linked together by an arching footbridge called Indreni Pool(named after Indreni Thapa, a martyr soldier of INA). A 3.5-km-long road encircles the lake and is used for walks with the view of Kangchenjunga on the far horizon. Boating on the quaint shikaras and horse riding are available.

Mirik has an average elevation of 1,495 m (4,905 ft). The highest point is the Boker Monastery at about 1,768 m (5,801 ft). Mirik lake at about 1,494 m (4,902 ft) is the lowest point. Mirik is 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Siliguri city and 49 km (30 mi) south-southwest of Darjeeling town.

The climate is pleasant almost all the year round with temperatures of a maximum of 30 °C in summer and a minimum of 1 °C in winter.

Transportation 

Mirik is 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Siliguri city and 49 km (30 mi) south-southwest of Darjeeling town.

Bagdogra (IATA airport code IXB) 52 km (32 mi) south of Mirik is the nearest airport and New Jalpaiguri adjacent to Siliguri is the nearest railway station.

Few buses ply from Mirik to Siliguri and Darjeeling and the fare is Rs. 70. Shared taxis operate from Mirik to Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kakarbhitta (Nepal), Sonada, and Kalimpong. The fare is Rs. 100 for Siliguri, Kurseong and Darjeeling (2014) and Rs 120 for Kakarvitta and Sonada (2014) per passenger. One can hire a taxi at a cost of Rs. 1200 to 1600 for Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and Kakarivitta. Shared taxis also operate from Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong, Sonada and Kakarbhitta to Mirik. Shared taxis are operated from Mirik by Mirik Tours & Travels (Krishnanagar). Taxis are available for internal transportation within Mirik to travel from Mirik Lake (Krishnanagar) to Mirik Bazar at Rs. 15 per head.

Visiting place

• Sumendu Lake - It is the heart of Mirik. There is an 80-ft (24-m) long footbridge over the lake. One can boat in the lake or take a horse ride around the lake.
• Rameetay Dara - A viewpoint near the town from where one can see the surrounding mountains and the vast plains below.
• Bokar Monastery^[3] - It is located on the way to Rameetay Dara and is famous as a Buddhist meditation center.
• Rai Dhap - Source of drinking water for Mirik and a picnic spot.
• Debisthan - A temple of a Hindu goddess located on a hillock near the Sumendu lake.
• Tingling View Point - A panoramic view of the tea gardens can be seen from here.
• Tea Gardens - A number of tea gardens producing the famous Darjeeling teaspecially Thurbo, Soureni, Gopaldhara, Singbulli, Okayti and Phuguri are located in and around Mirik.
• Manjushree Park - 20 mins drive from Mirik. Suitable for children and peace-seekers.
• Orange Orchards - Mirik is famous for its high-quality oranges. These are grown in Mirik Busty, Murmah and Soureni Busty.
• Orchids - Mirik has one of the best climate for a typical orchid called Cymbidium orchids, which fetches one of the highest prices in the world flower markets. One such Cymbidium orchid garden is "Darjeeling Gardens Pvt. Ltd." located in Rato Mate in Mirik.
• Bunkulung (Jayanti Nagar) - Ecotourism is being promoted here and several home-stay facilities are available.
• Pashupatinagar - This border market with Nepal is a commercial center for trade in clothes, electronic and household goods.
• Don Bosco Church- It is located near Don Bosco School. One of the most beautiful and one of the bigger Catholic churches of Darjeeling district.
• Mirik Church (UCNI) - This is the oldest Church in Mirik, situated at Deosay Dara, Ward No. IV, Mirik. The church building being erected in 1962 while the house church (fellowship) started some eight decade ago. The same old building still exists today. The church remains open everyday for everyone. While English Service starts at 9:30 am Sunday followed by Nepali Service at 11:00 am onwards. The Church is in close relationship with Darjeeling Hills Bible School (DHBS) which the first school offering theological training in nepali language since 1954. Through many decades Mirik Church and Darjeeling Hills Bible School have being continuously contributing evangelism in Nepali Speaking Community.
• Darjeeling Hills Bible School (DHBS) -
• Swiss Cottage (also known as Motel) - An exotic lodging at the highest altitude of Mirik, far from the crowds of the town.
• Sunrise Point - Scenic views of the sun rising in the east and its reflection on Kanchanjunga in the north. The plains of North Bengal can also be seen from here.

Hotel and Resturent

Mirik Bazar, Thana Line, Krishnanagar, Deuseydara, Thurbo, Mirik Busty and Byapari Golai are some localities in Mirik where accommodation is available for tourists. However, the majority of the hotels and restaurants are in the Krishnanagar area of Mirik. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration operates a motel at a hilltop near the helipad at Ahalay and another tourist lodge located near the lake. There are other good hotels in Krishnanagar such as Jagjeet, Sadbhavna, Ratnagiri, Mhelung, The Park Hotel, Viraz, Parijat and Blue Lagoon. There are some hotels in Mirik Bazar such as Boudi Hotel and Hotel Payal. There are many lodges and private guest houses such as Nigha, Ashirvad and Buddha. There is a beautiful Forest Rest House in Mirik that can be booked from the District Forest Office, Kurseong. There is also a PWD (Public Works Department) Inspection Bungalow near the lake that can be booked from Siliguri PWD office. Rangbhang Homestay is the first homestay in the Mirik Valley and offers one-of-a-kind experience.

There are numerous eateries catering to different tastes. Nesang's Gorkha cafe and restaurant serves Gorkha dishes and showcases Gorkha tradition and culture. Kolkata Hotel serves pure Bengali food. T Plus is an ideal fast food center. Geetanjali Nepali Hotel and Hills Restaurant are other restaurants. There are some foreign liquor off-shops and bars. Hotel Lohit Sagar and Tejashwee Fast Food serves pure vegetarian food, including South Indian dishes. There is a departmental store for foodstuffs and soft drinks attached to Mirik petrol pump. Near the lake, there are many food stalls that serve fast food.