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About Tibetan Refugee Center
Tibetan Refugee Center is a famous rehabilitation Centre for Tibetan refugees in Darjeeling, West Bengal. It was established on 2 October 1959 with only 4 workers, and now it accommodates more than 650 people. The refugee centre has a gompa (Tibetan Buddhist monastery), a school, an orphanage, a clinic, and a home for the elderly.
Discover the artworks being prepared in the sections of Tailoring & Leatherworks, Knitting & Painting, Carpet Weaving, Photo Exhibition, and Souvenir Shop. Handcrafted items produced here include carpets, gloves, jackets, bags, cards, wooden items and various types of antiques. These goods are exported to more than 36 countries all over the world.
Get a chance to learn about Tibetan history through the photo exhibition centre. Talk with the locals to find out more about the place and the techniques to produce different handicraft items. Shop the beautiful handmade items for your loved ones from the shop room as a memory of the Tibetan Refugee Centre. Click countless pictures or record yourself with your loved ones while exploring the Tibetan Refugee Centre.
Tibetan Refugee Center Highlights
• Discover the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, a rehabilitation centre built for Tibetan refugees in Darjeeling.
• Explore the different sections displaying the process of making beautiful handicraft items such as carpets and woollen clothing.
• Visit the Photo Exhibition Centre and learn about Tibetan history and the Tibetan Refugee Centre.
• Get a chance to learn about the technique of weaving carpets and other handcrafted items produced in the Centre.
• Shop souvenirs offering varieties of handmade goods as a cherishing memory.
How To Reach Tibetan Refugee Center
By Road: Tibetan Refugee Centre is approximately 7 km via Lebong Cart Road from the city centre of Darjeeling. It takes around 20 minutes to reach by local buses or taxis. Moreover, if you wish to travel on your own, you can hire a private vehicle.
Best Time To Visit Tibetan Refugee Center
Tibetan Refugee Center is a year-round destination so you can plan your visit as per your seasonal preferences and availability.
- Best season: The best season to visit the Tibetan Refugee Centre is in the summer season, from April to June, due to pleasant weather conditions. You can also plan your visit between January and February to be a part of the Tibetan New Year festival.
- Best day in the week: The best time to visit is on the weekdays as the weekends can be crowded. The Tibetan Refugee Center is closed on Sundays.
- Best time of the day: The best time to visit the Tibetan Refugee Center is between the opening hours, from 9 AM to 4.30 PM. However, you can visit early to explore the place in detail.
Tibetan Refugee Center Other Essential Information
1. Make sure to dispose of the garbage responsibly, to keep the place clean and healthy.
2. Talk politely, and don’t make loud noises that can disturb the environment and people around you.
3. Make sure you don’t touch the machines and handicraft items without any permission from the workers.
4. Consider washing your hands before learning any techniques from locals, like weaving or tailoring.
5. Carry a camera with you to capture countless memories while discovering the place and connecting with the locals.
6. Carry a water bottle or some light snacks with you, as you have to walk a lot while exploring the Tibetan Refugee Center.
Explore the Carpet Weaving Section
Discover the Carpet Weaving Section of the Tibetan Refugee Center, where you can observe workers weaving different carpets. Behold the view of several workers who are working on different beautiful carpet designs.
Additionally, if you wish to learn weaving, you can ask the locals to teach you. However, make sure you are not taking much of their time.
Admire the Knitting & Painting Section
Admire the artworks prepared by skilful artisans in the Knitting and Painting Section of the Tibetan Refugee Center. Here, you can spot people knitting and creating woollen clothing like sweaters and caps. Behold the beautiful artwork on cards and pictures in the painting section.
Get a chance to learn about their artworks and the meaning of the art painted on different items. Enjoy learning these skills with the local Tibetans to carry it as a joyful memory.
Design a carpet for your own
Design a carpet for your own by attending the craft workshop organised by the local Tibetans of the centre. You can learn techniques like weaving and knitting to create carpets, woollen clothing, and bags.
Capture some priceless moments with the local Tibetans while talking to them and learning about the designs.
Shop handicraft items by the artisans
Tibetan Refugee Center has a shop room offering diverse varieties of handcrafted and antique items. You can shop for handmade goods like carpets, jackets, bags, cards and antiques like models of Buddha and sculptures.
Buy a gift for yourself and your loved ones to admire the skilly artwork of the artisans in the Tibetan Refugee Center. Notably, if you are purchasing an item from the centre, you are directly contributing to its welfare.
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