Stretching from the sea to the mighty Himalayas, West Bengal is one of India’s most naturally and culturally diverse regions. Yet many visitors to the state merely stop to admire the colonial architecture of Kolkata before heading straight for the hills in Darjeeling. Venture into the West Bengal countryside to discover ancient temples, picturesque villages and unspoiled national parks

• Kalimpong – This peaceful town in the Himalayan foothills boasts gorgeous Buddhist monasteries, beautiful orchid nurseries and heart-stopping views of the world’s highest mountain range. The Zang Dhok Palri monastery has some impressive 3-D mandalas and a collection of rare Tibetan scriptures.
• Sunderbans Tiger Sanctuary – Located a few hours south of Kolkata, this World Heritage–listed reserve is home to the largest population of tigers in the world. Even if you don’t spot one of these notoriously shy beasts, the waterways and mangrove forests of this lush sanctuary are an excellent place to observe deer, reptiles and birds.
• Bishnupur – A small town north of Kolkata that is famous for its unique terracotta temples. Combining Bengali and Islamic styles, the temples feature incredibly detailed facades depicting scenes from the ancient Indian epics.
• Singalila National Park – At more than 2000m above sea level, this national park has pristine alpine forests and stunning Himalayan views. It is a very popular destination for trekkers.
• Murshidabad – This interesting river town is famous for its 19th-century palace, which has 1000 doors (both real and false) and a huge collection of antiques dating back to the 13th century.
• Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary – In the West Bengal hills, this lush sanctuary surrounds the Torsa River and is one of the few places you can see the rare one-horned rhinoceros. March and April are the best months to visit, when you might spot wild elephants or even tigers.
• Mirik – Perched on the Nepalese border, this peaceful hill estate is surrounded by tea estates, citrus orchards and spice plantations. It’s a wonderful place to relax and soak up the majestic Himalayan views.