Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Featured in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2027’

Dalim Phukan,

Hills Live News, Guwahati, Sept 28: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), the iconic heritage railway of Northeast Frontier Railway, has received another international recognition with Darjeeling being featured among the 50 destinations in Lonely Planet’s prestigious ‘Best in Travel 2027’ list.
Lonely Planet has described Darjeeling as “Best for a Toy Train journey”, placing the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and its distinctive mountain railway experience in the global travel spotlight.
The recognition further underlines the enduring appeal of the DHR, popularly known as the “Toy Train”, which has become closely associated with the cultural and tourism identity of Darjeeling and the Eastern Himalayas.
Opened in 1881, the DHR is renowned for its pioneering engineering solutions that enabled railway construction through challenging mountainous terrain. It forms part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was inscribed in 1999.
The railway’s historic stations, steam locomotives and distinctive mountain journey continue to offer visitors a unique experience through the hills, tea gardens and settlements of the Darjeeling region.
The recognition comes at a time when Northeast Frontier Railway is undertaking several initiatives to promote the DHR as both a living railway heritage and an important tourism asset. Heritage train journeys, steam locomotive rides, cultural events and experiential tourism programmes are providing visitors with opportunities to experience the railway’s heritage while contributing to the tourism ecosystem of the Darjeeling hills.
Events such as the Ghum Winter Festival, Station Mahotsav and Summer Festival have further enhanced visitor engagement with the historic stations and local communities associated with the DHR.
The railway’s tourism initiatives also focus on community participation, environmental awareness and sustainable tourism. Heritage joy rides and outreach programmes conducted in collaboration with local communities and environmental stakeholders are aimed at promoting responsible tourism.
Digital initiatives, experiential programmes and educational visits are also helping younger generations learn about the history, engineering and cultural significance of the unique railway heritage.
The inclusion of Darjeeling in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2027’ is expected to further enhance the global visibility of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and provide Northeast Frontier Railway with an opportunity to showcase its rich railway heritage and unique Toy Train experience while promoting sustainable tourism and the cultural and socio-economic potential of the Darjeeling hills.