Batasia Loop and War Memorial

Batasia Loop is one of the major attractions of "The Queen of Hills" Darjeeling. Batasia Loop is a gigantic railway loop created by British to handle a steep descent by toy train while making 360 degree turn. It also offers glorious view of majestic Kanchenjunga. A railway loop is a fabulous means of gaining height while climbing steep slopes in the smallest area of mountains and hills which is precisely what the Batasia Loop provides to the Toy Train - Steam Tramway that climbs the Hills from Siliguri to Darjeeling via Ghoom. The loop would help reduce the sudden steepness of the climb which has to be climbed by the Train and by looping the track more area is gained by the train. The Toy Train gains 140 feet of vertical rise in the area of the loop.The Batasia Loop is the last of the loops on this rail-route and is certainly the most beautiful as it's the highest of all loops on this track and offers great views of the Darjeeling Hills, Valley, City and the Kanchenjunga Mountain Range at a distance. The weather at the Batasia Loop is wonderful as its chill and sunny and windy with sudden, occasional drizzles, which is a wonderful hilly experience that all Darjeeling tourists experience on their way up in the Toy Train.

This war memorial was constructed by the zilla sainik board, Darjeeling in memory of brave gorkha soldiers of Darjeeling hills who have laid down their lives for the country in all wars and operations since independence. This memorial was sanctified on 22nd march 1995. From the Batasia Loop, the tourists enjoy a panoramic view of Darjeeling town with the Kanchenjunga and other snow capped mountains in the backdrop. This spot is also the photographer's paradise.