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Jaigaon

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Jaigaon is a city in West Bengal.

Culture and History

The town's only attraction is that it is on the border of Bhutan. Otherwise, it has a dearth of sites of interest and lacks charm. However, as many Bhutanese like to cross the border to take advantage of India's cheaper telephone/e-mail rates and restaurant prices, the town does offer a wide selection of eateries and telephone offices.

Travel to Jaigaon & Visa Requirements

  • From Phuentsholing, walk over. There is only the border gate that divides the two towns.
  • Buses traveling to/from Phuentsholing make a stop here.

Tours & Getting around Jaigaon

The town is small and can be covered on foot, though an autorickshaw is recommended for the journey from the main bus terminal, which is located slightly out of town. Jaigaon lacks quality infrastructure, and during the rainy season the streets are muddy and difficult to negotiate on foot.

Jaigaon city tours

  • Non-Bhutanese or Indian citizens exiting or entering Bhutan are required to get their passport stamped at the Indian immigration office, which is located next to the cinema hall (there is a fork in the road when entering the town - marked by a statue - immigration is a short way up the road on the left). Indians can get a permit to visit Thimphu or other parts of Bhutan by submitting proof of identity proof, such as an election card or passport, at the Bhutanese immigration office.
  • Make telephone calls and send e-mails as the rates here are much lower than in Phuentsholing.

Jaigaon souvenirs & shopping

  • Asian Book Distributors, J.P. Centre, N.S. Road., ☎ +91 3566 736-182. As a supplier of book stores in Bhutan, AB Books is an excellent place to pick up titles on subjects related to Bhutan and Buddhism and at much cheaper prices than over the border
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    This page was last edited at 13:44, on 9 December 2008 by Wikitravel user WindHorse. Based on work by Jordan Mills and P.K.Niyogi, Wikitravel user(s) Pashley and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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