Vishnupur
Vishnupur, cultural centre is 152 km from Calcutta. In the 16th century this town was the capital of the Malla kings and has rich historical relics and temples with exquisite workmanship on terracotta tiles depicting scenes from the Hindu epics. Vishnupur is in the Bankura district, famous for its pottery (especially the Bankura horse) and silk. A visit to the Museum, Pathar Darwaza and Lal Band or watching the craftsmen at their work are worthwhile.
o Tram or bus
o Suggested ways to get there by public transport from Calcutta.
Sundarbans
This world heritage site the largest estuarine sanctuary in the world is the home of the Bengal tiger. It consists of 54 tiny islands. Innumerable waterways cover 2585 sq. km of this extensive mangrove swamp. West Bengal Tourism runs a launch service and organizes an overnight stay on the launch.
o Train to Canning, rivercraft to Sundarban Tiger Reserve.
o Bus from Esplanade to Basanti.
o Sonakhali, rivercraft to Sundarbans.
Siliguri
Siliguri is the fastest upcoming city and commercially the biggest city after Calcutta in West Bengal. Strategically, it is the gate way to tourist spots in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Shopping for ‘foreign’ goods at competitive prices is possible on HC Road and Sevoke Road.
o Air to Bagdogra
o Train to Jalpaiguri
o Bus toSiliguri
Shantiniketan
Shantiniketan – Rabindranath Tagore, the brilliant and prolific poet, founded a school here in 1901 which developed into the Vishwabharati University, a unique educational experience. The museum and the art gallery are
interesting. Amarkutir and Sriniketan have craft centres and students at the university have their studios in the complex and welcome visitors interested in their work
o Train to Bolpur Rickshaw to Shantiniketan (2 km)