Ghum, the Highest Railway Station in India, Is Your Perfect Alternative to Darjeeling

Ghum railway station is largely popular for being home to the highest railway station in India (7,407 ft). The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a World Heritage Site, first had its tracks laid in 1879 and reached Ghum by 1881. A ride from either Siliguri or Darjeeling to Ghum, will give you the opportunity to witness an architectural marvel that has stood the test of time.

Situated just 7km from the main city, the town of Ghum is where the spiritual, historical and natural history of Darjeeling come together for a picturesque coalition. The famous Hill Cart Road that goes all the way from the main Darjeeling to Ghum, is an ancient route that ends at Siliguri, also makes Ghum essential to Darjeeling's connectivity with other parts of the state.

If you are travelling to Ghum from Darjeeling on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, then the mighty Batasia Loops will fall on your way. The Batasia Loop is a spiral track created to break the steep ascent in the route of the toy-train. Considered an engineering marvel, it was commissioned in 1919 and now holds a memorial to the Gorkha soldiers of Indian Army who were martyred in the Indian independence movement.

Popularly known as the Ghum Monastery, the Yiga Choeling Gompa is situated 700m from the Ghum Railway Station. Housing a massive and breathtaking Maitreya Buddha statue, the Ghum Monastery was built in 1875 by Lama Sherab Gyatso. It is also the largest of the four monasteries in the hill-town of Ghum. The other three monasteries that you must visit are Samten Choeling, Sakya Choeling and Phin.

Situated right beside the Ghum Railway Station, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum showcases the history of the iconic Himalayan railways over a period of two centuries. From tickets dating back to 1883, when a trip from Darjeeling to Ghum used to cost only Rs 0.66, to the development and implementation of the steam engine, everything is up for display.

Perched 1,100ft higher than Ghum, the Tiger Hill is popular for the majestic view it provides of the valley. Along with Darjeeling, Tiger Hill also offers a view of Kanchenjunga peak and, on a clear day, even Mount Everest. But such a clear sky is rare in Ghum as it is an abode of clouds, and usually the cotton mist takes over the town and areas around it leaving thousands who come here disappointed.

The Senchal Lake is a man-made reservoir located inside one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in Darjeeling. Situated around 3km away from Ghum, you can reach here by the Old Military Road, which goes from Ghum to Jorebungalow. You will require a ticket for admission to the lake and sanctuary, which can be collected from the ranger's office at Jorebungalow. The sanctuary remains closed during the monsoon season and opens again around September 15. The Rambi Forest Rest House is located inside the forest and is a great place to spend some time. The rooms, if available, are offered to public at Rs 1,000 night. Contact the the Wildlife Division of Darjeeling at (0354) 2257314 for further details.