Places of Interest around Calcutta - WWW.CYPO.COM

BAKKHALI
Bakkhali in the 24 Parganas(S) district is 132 km from Calcutta on the east side of the Hooghly. It has a long sandy beach, an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of Calcutta.
o Bus from Esplanade and Gol Park
o Bus from Esplanade. Ferry across Hatania-Doania. Then bus to Bakkhali

BANDEL
43 km from Calcutta and north of the Hooghly, Bandel is a tourist destination for its churches and monasteries built here by the Portuguese in 1599, destroyed 40 years later with the British takeover, and rebuilt a few years later.
o Local train

CHANDANNAGAR
37 km north of Calcutta, on the banks of the River Hooghly. It was one of the French enclaves of India and has churches, convents and crumbling buildings dating back to that era. The first French settlers arrived here in 1673 and made Chandannagar an important trading post which was handed over in 1951.
o Local train

DIAMOND HARBOUR
48 km south of Calcutta, Diamond Harbour is a scenic picnic spot by the banks of the River Hooghly.
o Bus from Esplanade
o Train from Sealdah

DIGHA
185 km south-east of Calcutta on the Bay of Bengal, is a 7 km long beach but if you are looking for a beach holiday then it is better to visit Bakkhali or Shankarpur nearby. 
o Bus from Esplanade and Gol Park
o Daily coach service from WB Tourism centre

DARJEELING
Darjeeling is a popular hill station 686 km from Calcutta, over 7000 ft. above sea level and is famous for its panoramic view of its snowy peaks. The quaint journey to Darjeeling, on the famous toy train from Siliguri which loops its way through the mountains is an experience in itself.
o Air to Bagdogra, taxi to Darjeeling
o Train to New Jalpaiguri, taxi, bus.
o Land Rover to Darjeeling

JALDAPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This sanctuary is home to the Bengal tiger, the one horned rhino, elephants, leopards, the barking deer and a number of species of birds. It covers 116 sq. km of towering trees within tall grasslands, 
o Air to Bagdogra. train! bus to Jaldapara
o Train to New Jalpaiguri and Land Rover!
o Bus to Jaldapara

KALIMPONG
This town at an altitude of 1250m., became a centre for the Scottish missionaries. Dr. Graham's orphanage and school is still a reminder. The town is worth a visit for its three monasteries, churches, sericulture centre and orchid nurseries. The journey from Darjeeling via the Teesta bridge has magnificent views.
o Buses from Siliguri and Darjeeling.

MAYAPUR
This is the centre for the ISKCON (Hare Krishna) movement with its Chandradoya temple dominating the landscape. Ritual poojas, chantings and bhajans and discourses on the Gita are a daily occurrence. Day tours are arranged by the ISKCON office, phone 2473757!2478242.
o Train to Krishnanagar bus to Mayapur.

MIRIK
Mirik is a 'new' hill station with the lake as its main attraction and a 3 km path around it. Tea estates, orange orchards and cardamom plantations surround the area.
o Bus from Siliguri/Darjeeling.

RAICHAK
A newly opened resort which is part of theRadisson chain with five star facilities and cruises on the River Hooghly.
o Bus from Esplanade

SHANTINIKETAN
Rabindranath Tagore, the brilliant and prolific poet, founded a school here in 1901 which developed into the Vishwabharati University, a unique educational experience. The museum and the art gallery are
interesting. Amarkutir and Sriniketan have craft centres and students at the university have their studios in the complex and welcome visitors interested in their work
o Train to Bolpur Rickshaw to Shantiniketan (2 km)

SILIGURI
Siliguri is the fastest upcoming city and commercially the biggest city after Calcutta in West Bengal. Strategically, it is the gate way to tourist spots in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Shopping for 'foreign' goods at competitive prices is possible on HC Road and Sevoke Road.
o Air to Bagdogra
o Train to Jalpaiguri
o Bus toSiliguri

SUNDARBANS
This world heritage site the largest estuarine sanctuary in the world is the home of the Bengal tiger. It consists of 54 tiny islands. Innumerable waterways cover 2585 sq. km of this extensive mangrove swamp. West Bengal Tourism runs a launch service and organizes an overnight stay on the launch.
o Train to Canning, rivercraft to Sundarban Tiger Reserve.
o Bus from Esplanade to Basanti.
o Sonakhali, rivercraft to Sundarbans.

VISHNUPUR
This cultural centre is 152 km from Calcutta. In the 16th century this town was the capital of the Malla kings and has rich historical relics and temples with exquisite workmanship on terracotta tiles depicting scenes from the Hindu epics. Vishnupur is in the Bankura district, famous for its pottery (especially the Bankura horse) and silk. A visit to the Museum, Pathar Darwaza and Lal Band or watching the craftsmen at their work are worthwhile.
o Tram or bus
o Suggested ways to get there by public transport from Calcutta.