Established in 1959, this refugee centre comprises a home for the aged, a school, an orphanage, a clinic, a gompa (Tibetan Buddhist monastery) and craft workshops that produce carpets, woodcarvings, leather work and woollen items. There’s also an interesting, politically charged photographic exhibition portraying the early years of the Tibetan refugees in Darjeeling. Visitors are welcome to wander through the workshops. The handicrafts are for sale in the showroom and proceeds go straight back into the Tibetan community.
The quickest way to reach the centre is to walk steeply downhill from the north side of Bhanu Bhakta Sarani; take the alley down beside Hotel Dolphin. To return to Chowrasta Sq, take a side path 10 minutes to the Bhutia Busty Gompa and climb back uphill from there. A chartered taxi via North Point costs around ₹400/600 one way/return.
