5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in West Bengal

In the historical period, West Bengal and its coastal areas were one of the most important trade points in Eastern India. The place has great historical value and was ruled by world-famous rulers such as the Guptas, Palas etc. So, the state has some great sites universally acknowledged as places with unparalleled historical interest.

Scroll through this article to learn more about such UNESCO world heritage sites in West Bengal.

1. Sundarban National Park (1987)

Sundarban National Park is one of the most beautiful sightseeing places in West Bengal, with a variety of flora and fauna. The place is renowned for its varying coastal biosphere. Situated on the Ganges Delta, Sundarban National Park extends up to the Bangladesh border. Here one can explore the animals like royal Bengal tigers, deer, monkeys, reptiles etc. Besides, you can also explore a range of saline water creatures in this biosphere reserve.

• Location: Dayapur, Gosaba, West Bengal, 743370, India
• Ideal Time to Explore: September to March
• Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm; Closed on Sunday
• Entry Fee:
  • For Indians ₹60 per person
  • For foreigners ₹200 per person

2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999)

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the famous Toy Train service in Darjeeling built between 1879 and 1881. The train journeys on this route will cover 13 stations and a total of 78 km distance. Besides, it is the world's highest and oldest mountain train route, established at the height of 7000 feet. Due to its global popularity and historical significance, UNESCO declared it a World heritage site in 1999.

• Location: New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
• Ideal Time to Explore: March to October
• Hours of Operation: Every day from 8 am to 12 pm
• Entry Fee:
  • ₹805 onwards for diesel engine ride (first class seats)
  • ₹1405 onwards for steam engine ride (first class seats)

3. Bishnupur Temples (1998)

Bishnupur is a historical town located in Bankura and famous for its excellent Terracotta temples. In ancient times, the city was the capital of the Malla Kingdom. Malla kings were lovers of art and architecture, so they had excellently carved beautiful designs and motifs on the walls of these temples.

History lovers can explore stories from great Indian epics on the walls of these temples. However, Bishnupur is still under the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage site West Bengal.

• Location: Bishnupur, Bankura, West Bengal (139 km from Kolkata)
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to March
• Hours of Operation: Every day from 6 am to 5:30 pm
• Entry Fee:
  • For Indians ₹25 per person
  • For foreigners ₹300 per person
  • Children up to 15 years of age can enter without any entry fee

4. Neora Valley National Park (2009)

Neora Valley National Park is another tentative UNESCO World Heritage in West Bengal. Situated in the alp of Kalimpong, it is a protected wildlife sanctuary. Apart from exploring the wildlife, this hilly region has a lot to offer tourists.

The gorgeous view of the mountains and the soothing atmosphere will add a splash of freshness to your life. Here you can explore beautiful butterflies, birds, and also a wide range of flora. Further, you can also trek and enjoy nearby village tours.

• Location: Kalimpong district, West Bengal, India
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to April
• Hours of Operation: Every day from 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm
• Entry Fee: No entry fee

5. Shantiniketan (2010)

Shantiniketan is another famous spot in West Bengal which is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This place is popular because it resembles Maharshi Debendranath Tagore and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

In addition, Rabindranath Tagore built the famous Visva-Bharati in Shantiniketan, where students from all over the world come to explore the rich Indian diverse education system. Further, tourists can also explore local villages, fairs and museums in Shantiniketan.

• Location: Bolpur town, Birbhum, West Bengal
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to February
• Hours of Operation: Open always
• Entry Fee: No entry fee

Note: Prices are updated as of April 2023 and may vary.

According to UNESCO, if a site has the below mentioned qualities, it is  eligible for a title of a World Heritage Site:

• The site must exhibit a zenith of human creative genius.
• A World Heritage Site must bear distinctive evidence of a cultural tradition, or a civilisation that is still in existence or has gone extinct.
• It must show a pivotal exchange of human values in town planning, landscape design, monumental arts, architecture, or technology over a period or within a cultural area.
• A site has to be an out-of-the-ordinary example of sea use, land use, and human settlement that speak for one or multiple cultures. Or, it can also speak for interaction between man and the environment when the latter was at risk.
• It has to be a remarkable example of a type of architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape which depicts remarkable phases in human history.
• A site has to characterise major moments of Earth's history, including ongoing geological processes concerning the development of landforms, crucial geomorphic or physiographic features, and a record of life.
• It has to accommodate the most ensuing natural habitats so that it can effectively conserve biological diversity.
• A site that contains brilliant natural phenomena with supreme natural beauty.
• It has to be a remarkable example of decisive ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and maturing of terrestrial, marine, coastal, and freshwater communities and ecosystems of plants and animals.

Hope you have got a comprehensive idea of the UNESCO world heritage sites in West Bengal. The article has also listed the operational hours, ideal time of visit, entry free and attractions in these places. So, if you want to enjoy a short trip near West Bengal, keep these UNESCO world heritage sites in your bucket list.