WBTDC, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. , Udayachal, Block/DG, Sector/II, Kolkata/, Phone (033) 4401-2069/2079, Salt Lake City (2026)

31/05/2026

Spend a golden vacation at Rangabitan Tourism Property

Rangabitan is the best accommodation option in Sriniketan

Owned and managed by WBTDCL, the property is within a stone’s throw of almost all major tourist attractions in the area, including Sonajhuri forest, the Kopai river, Kankalitala and Santiniketan itself

Sonajhuri, which roughly translates into English as golden droplets, is a name that conjures up visions of an endless expanse of golden yellow blossoms, red earth, and lazy afternoons spent browsing through a most unusual market. Amidst this elegant setting sits Rangabitan Tourism Property (formerly Rangabitan Tourist Complex), Sriniketan. Run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited (WBTDCL), the property is within a stone’s throw of almost all major tourist attractions in the area, including Sonajhuri forest, the Kopai river, Kankalitala and Santiniketan itself.

Properly speaking, Sonajhuri is a medium-sized forest, reportedly one of the cleanest in India, in the Khoai region of Santiniketan. In Bengali, Khoai refers to a geological formation in Birbhum, Bardhaman, and Bankura districts of West Bengal, made up of laterite soil rich in iron oxide, often shaped like tiny hills. In short, this is like a natural canyon caused by wind and water eroding the red laterite soil.

The forest obviously consists primarily of Sonajhuri trees, which shed their golden blooms in winter, carpeting the entire forest floor with what seems like molten gold. This is also the location of the famous Sonajhuri ‘haat’ or marketplace, where locals bring their wares every day, ranging from decorative items to household utensils to the most stunning fabrics and jewellery.

Among other major tourist attractions in the area are Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan - one of Rabindranath Tagore’s immortal creations; Rabindra Bhavan, founded in 1942 just after Tagore’s death, with its museum, archives, library and other units, which house a major part of Tagore’s manuscripts, correspondence, paintings and sketches, and numerous other items; the Upasana Ghar (Prayer Hall) at Visva-Bharati; and Poush Mela and Basanta Utsab, the annual and spectacular winter and spring festivals that draw tourists from across the world.

You need at least three to four days to properly enjoy most of these attractions, and Rangabitan Tourism Property is the best accommodation option in Sriniketan, a mere 4 km from Santiniketan. Rangabitan offers three AC suites, six AC standard rooms, and three AC deluxe rooms at extremely reasonable rates. The suites comprise a living room with dining area, a private balcony and a bedroom. The AC deluxe rooms have two floors - the ground floor has a small non-AC living room with dining area, while the first floor has an AC bedroom with a private balcony. All the cottage-style standard rooms have small open balconies.

For those on a longer break, we recommend a few added attractions near Sriniketan, such as the temple town of Kankalitala about 8 km away, one of the holy Shakti Peethas, where the waist (‘kankal’ in Bengali) of Sati is said to have fallen. Also very close to Sriniketan, just about 3 km away, is the Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary (popularly known as Deer Park), a wooded area home to one of West Bengal’s most successful deer conservation programmes, as well as numerous resident and migratory birds.

A little over 50 km away stands Bakreshwar, yet another of the 51 Shakti Peethas, and also famed for its several hot springs, ancient temples, and a giant thermal power plant. Yet another highly popular religious tourism destination is Tarapith, about 62 km from Sriniketan. One more of the 51 Shakti Peethas, Tarapith is also legendary for its association with the revered ‘mad saint’, Sadhak Bama Khepa.

And finally, a two-hour drive will take you to the extremely scenic Massanjore Dam, a hydropower generating dam over the Mayurakshi river in Massanjore near Dumka in Jharkhand. You can spend all the time you want here, and drive back to Sriniketan.

Rangabitan Tourism Property is 165 km from Kolkata by road. There are also many daily trains from Howrah and Sealdah stations to Prantik or Bolpur, 6 km from Rangabitan Tourism Property. The train journey takes you approximately three hours.

For bookings and other details, do contact

West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation
Udayachal Tourist Lodge
DG Block (1st floor), Sec II, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700091
Phone: 033 2358 5189
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Website: https://www.wbtdcl.com/

31/05/2026

Dighali Tourism Property I will make you fall in love with Digha all over again

Dighali Tourism Property I is a mere five-minute walk from the beach

The invigorating sea breeze, a walk along the beach at New Digha, browsing around the shops at old Digha, and snacking on fried fish on the promenade... all of it while staying at Dighali Tourism Property I

One of West Bengal's most popular tourist destinations, Digha in Purba Medinipur is indeed the Brighton of the east, for those who have heard of the famed English beach resort. There are several reasons behind the enduring popularity of Digha, but the principal factor is probably its accessibility from Kolkata, mostly by road, but also by rail.

The invigorating sea breeze, a walk along the beach at New Digha, browsing around the shops at old Digha, and snacking on fried fish on the promenade... all of it while staying at Dighali Tourism Property I (formerly Digha Tourist Lodge) run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation, along with its sister property, Dighali Tourism Property II.

Those with first hand experience will know that the seaside is particularly beautiful in the monsoons, and Dighali Tourism Property I is a mere five-minute walk from the beach. So, provided it isn’t raining too hard, you can slip out for a walk any time.

Originally known as Beerkul during the time of Governor-General Warren Hastings (1772-85), Digha was ‘discovered’ by the British in the late 18th century, and Hastings himself described it as the ‘Brighton of the East’ in one of his letters to his wife.
English businessman John Frank Smith reportedly began living here in 1923, and his writings provided further exposure to what was originally a seaside village. In the 1950s, Smith convinced West Bengal Chief Minister Bidhan Chandra Roy to develop Digha as a beach resort. Today, an old church can still be seen near the Old Digha Main gate.

Take in the beach at New Digha (2 km), and its Science Centre set up by the National Council of Science Museums. Also nearby is the fascinating Marine Aquarium and Research Centre, established in 1989 with the objective of displaying the marine biodiversity of the region and making people aware of its importance, as well as conducting research activities.

Yet another popular destination is the Chandaneswar Shiva Temple about 8 km away, close to the border with Odisha, and the Jagannath Deul at Dihibahiri about an hour and 15 minutes by road, where you can see the beautiful 16th-century shrine to the deity built by king Bhimsen Mahapatra of Odisha.

Digha can also be your base for day trips to nearby seaside locations like Shankarpur (15 km), Tajpur (19 km), and Mandarmani (30 km).

Dighali Tourism Property I is 182 km southwest of Kolkata by road, with the journey taking about five hours. There are government and private buses leaving at frequent intervals from various points in Kolkata, including the Dharmatala bus terminus. You may also drive down in your own or a hired vehicle.
For those wishing to make a train journey, there are a number of options from Howrah, including the Digha Duronto Express. The journey takes about three hours, and Dighali Tourism Property I is literally just 15 minutes from Digha railway station.

31/05/2026

Bakkhali, a beach destination like no other in India
The coastline offers the most stunning view of the sea

If a perfect beach getaway means beach walks, boat rides, and exploring islands around town, then Bakkhali is the place to be

Digha or Mandarmani or Shankarpur may be West Bengal’s more popular beachside destinations, but our state is home to many more beaches, which are lesser-known, yet as beautiful as their more famous counterparts. Indeed, one of the most breathtaking beaches in India can be found in the fishing village of Bakkhali in South 24 Parganas district. And the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited (WBTDCL) offers you access to this treasure, courtesy Balutot Tourism Property.

Once you get to Bakkhali, before you do anything else, we would recommend that you walk down this south-facing, crescent shaped beach. Apart from its panoramic natural beauty, the beach is also a geographical oddity, because it is among the few in the world to offer an equally spectacular view of both sunrise and sunset.

Nearly eight km long, the beach stretches from Bakkhali to Frasergunj, the two settlements having merged to form one continuous township, and because it is sparsely populated, your walk is bound to be serene and peaceful. All you will have for company are millions of harmless red crabs, which disappear into their holes at lightning speed as soon as they sense someone approaching.

Your stay at Balutot Tourism Property

WBTDCL’s Balutot Tourism Property is spread across 5 acres of land, very near the beach. With AC rooms and cottages, the property is well maintained with a lush green lawn, a pond full of fish, and a separate play area for children. The rooms are cosily furnished and well-equipped with modern amenities, and provide free wifi throughout your stay.

Located on one of the many deltaic islands on the Bay of Bengal, Bakkhali offers trips to other nearby islands, most of which are part of the Sundarbans. A full trip would require at least three days, so an extended weekend is the perfect plan. Whatever else you do, a visit to Henry’s Island is a must. Just about 10 minutes from Bakkhali by car, it houses a state pisciculture project, and a watch tower offering a magnificent view of the surroundings.

Then there is the Benfish harbour and Frasergunj Beach, a Crocodile Park and mangrove forest just adjacent to Bakkhali bus stop, and a smaller island called Jambu Dwip, only accessible by boat.

In between sightseeing, all your meals at Balutot give you a chance to sample delicious seafood at the property’s own in-house restaurant. For visitors travelling in their personal vehicles, the property has ample parking space.

Though the thick beach plantation obstructs the view from the property itself, you can hear the roaring sea, and the cottages have private balconies that overlook the beach.

How to get there
Balutot Tourism Property is approximately 130 km from Kolkata by road. However, the best way to get to Bakkhali is probably to take a local train from Sealdah station. The destination station is Namkhana, about 20 km from Bakkhali, and there are regular trains from Sealdah. The train ride takes about three hours, and public transport of all kinds from Namkhana station to Bakkhali is plentiful.

31/05/2026

Hill Top Tourism Property offers the best stay in Kalimpong

On a clear day, you can see Kanchenjunga from the lawn

Planning to visit Kalimpong this summer? WBTDCL’s Hill Top Tourism Property offers one of the best tourism experiences you could ask for, at affordable prices. Make sure to book now!

For many Bengalis, Kalimpong, the Land of Orchids, is inextricably linked to memories of Rabindranath Tagore, given how much he loved the hill town, and how much time he spent there. However, Kalimpong is worth celebrating and visiting for many other reasons, both historical and current.

Its stunning orchids, temperate forests, monasteries, churches, Tibetan handicraft centres, colonial-era bungalows and other structures, and panoramic valley views make Kalimpong an absolute paradise for tourists. And the tourism experience is further enhanced by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation’s Hill Top Tourism Property.

Your stay at Hill Top Tourism Property
Hill Top Tourism Property is close to some of Kalimpong’s most popular landmarks, such as Thongsha Gumpha (2.25 km, the oldest monastery in the region, dating back to the 1690s), Dr Graham’s Home (4.3 km), Kalimpong Cactus Nursery (0.8 km), Pine View Nursery (0.8 km), and Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery (1.9 km), this last consecrated by the visiting Dalai Lama in 1976. As you can tell, all are within walking distance of the property.

The well-maintained property has a huge common balcony connecting all its rooms. All the rooms are equipped with modern amenities including TV, intercom, electric kettle, room heater and geyser, with some rooms also offering a fireplace. The property has free-wifi and ample parking space.

The view from the rooms and balcony is breathtaking, and another winner is the beautiful lawn, from which you can see Mt Kanchenjunga on a clear day. The lush garden surrounding the lawn is resplendent with flowers, which attract a variety of butterflies and birds. The property also has a restaurant and provides local cuisine and complimentary breakfast for the boarders.

How to get there
Kalimpong is approximately 65 km (2.5 hours) by road from Siliguri and 75 km (2 hours 45 minutes) from Bagdogra airport. If you are travelling from Darjeeling, the 50 km-drive will take about two hours. For those wishing to drive down from Kolkata, the distance is nearly 623.6 km and the drive takes about 14 hours.

If you travel by train, board the Darjeeling Mail from Sealdah and get off at New Jalpaiguri station, from where Kalimpong is near about 77 km. Public and private transport are easily available at the station.

31/05/2026

Escape to Moorti Tourism Property, a peaceful riverside stay by the Murti River. Surrounded by natural beauty and located next to Gorumara National Park, this WBTDCL property offers the perfect blend of comfort, scenic charm, and adventure for a refreshing getaway.

[Family stay Moorti tourism property| Moorti West Bengal Tourism | Moorti hotel booking]

31/05/2026

Experience the peaceful riverside charm of Sagorika Tourism Property, where beautiful views of the Ganges meet comfort and warm hospitality. With modern interiors, relaxing surroundings, and delightful dining, it is the perfect place to unwind, enjoy quiet moments, and refresh by the river.

[Sagorika Tourism Property, Luxury Stays near Kolkata, Places to Visit near Diamond Harbour, Diamond Harbour Ganges View, Diamond Harbour Sightseeing]

31/05/2026

Experience the charm of heritage at Jhargram Rajbari Tourism Project, where history meets modern comfort. With its royal ambience and peaceful surroundings, it offers a unique stay for those looking to relax, explore local culture, and enjoy a memorable getaway with a touch of timeless elegance.

[Government tourism Project Jhargram Rajbari | WBTourism Jhargram Rajbari | Stay in Jhargram West Bengal]

30/05/2026

Escape to the calm of Mangaldhara Tourism Property, where comfort meets nature. Unwind in peaceful surroundings and enjoy a relaxing stay amidst scenic beauty. Let every moment here refresh your mind and reconnect you with the simple joys of travel.

30/05/2026

Nestled in the scenic beauty of Gajoldoba, Jalpaiguri, Bhorer Alo Tourism Property offers a refreshing escape into nature. Set beside the calm waters of the Teesta Barrage, it promises peaceful views, gentle boat rides, and a relaxing stay surrounded by the serene charm of North Bengal.

[Bhorer Alo WBTDCL]

WBTDC

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