Guwahati, 28 September (HS): The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), the iconic heritage railway of Northeast Frontier Railway, has earned another international recognition with Darjeeling featuring 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 DHR and its distinctive mountain railway experience in the global travel spotlight.

Opened in 1881, the DHR, popularly known as the “Toy Train”, is renowned for its pioneering engineering solutions that enabled railway construction through the challenging Himalayan terrain. It forms part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1999.

The railway’s historic stations, steam locomotives and scenic mountain journeys through tea gardens, settlements and hill landscapes continue to attract visitors from across India and abroad.

Northeast Frontier Railway has undertaken several initiatives to promote the DHR as a living railway heritage and a major tourism asset. Heritage train journeys, steam locomotive rides, cultural events and experiential tourism programmes have been organised to offer visitors an opportunity to experience its rich history.

Events such as the Ghum Winter Festival, Station Mahotsav and Summer Festival have also strengthened visitor engagement with historic stations and local communities.

The DHR’s tourism initiatives emphasise community participation, environmental awareness and sustainable tourism. Heritage joy rides, outreach programmes, digital initiatives and educational visits are also aimed at connecting younger generations with the railway’s engineering, history and cultural significance.

The inclusion of Darjeeling in Best in Travel 2027 is expected to further enhance the international visibility of the DHR and provide a platform for showcasing the region’s railway heritage, Toy Train experience and cultural and socio-economic potential.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash