Jaigaon is a city in the northern plains of West Bengal, India. It is a trading post for cross-border business with Bhutan. Unless you are planning to enter Bhutan or have an interest in construction material, there is no reason to visit Jaigaon.
As India does not allow the development of towns on international borders, Jaigaon sprang up illegally. Although the town now has legal status, there has been little or no attempt to smarten it up, and it remains a dusty, litter-strewn place full of companies selling construction material and shops marketing cheap clothes.
This article also covers Hasimara, a picturesque little town surrounded by tea plantations that is 15 km from Jaigaon and can be reached from the town by auto rickshaw — shared around ₹30-40, reserved no more than ₹180 — or bus from Jaigaon bus station, as of January 2023.
The culture of Jaigaon is influenced by the town's diverse population of people from throughout India and Bhutan. The demand of Indian and Bhutanese consumers from nearby Phuentsholing has led to the development of the service sector in various fields.
Jaigaon's cultural diversity can be seen in its food and clothing. Various segments of Indian culture are represented, and the town's proximity to Bhutan has influenced locally available commodities.
There are regular buses from Siliguri, and the journey takes around four hours. The Bhutan buses travelling from Siliguri and Kolkata also make a stop here.
Around ₹30-50 for a shared and approx ₹300 for a reserved auto from Hasimara Station - the back of the station (cross the railway tracks). It will be slightly more expensive from the front area. The journey to Jaigaon takes around 20-30 minutes. When negotiating the price, travellers entering Bhutan need to inform the driver that they want to get down at Jaigaon Immigration Office. Otherwise, the driver will drop the passengers at Jaigaon Bus Station, which is a 10-15-minute walk from the town, or he will ask for extra payment when told to drive to the immigration office.
Phuentsholing is just over the border and only a gate divides the two towns.
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.
Bhutanese religious and cultural items can be bought cheaply at several stores along the main road if you turn right at Bhutan Gate. Strange artefacts from Bhutan and the nearby villages surface here from time to time, there is nowhere in particular to look but keep your eyes out for antiques!
Tibetan-style cuisine, such as _momo_s are popular in Jaigaon. However, good Bhutanese food is relatively hard to come by as most people would rather just walk across the border. Certain hotels listed at the Sleep section also have restaurants for non-guests.
While Jaigaon has a reputation for crime and drug dealing, as a border town, there are a high number of police patrolling, and so it is perfectly safe to walk around in the day. However, precautions should be taken at night, especially in dark alleys. Still, despite its reputation, there have been no reports of foreign tourists being assaulted or robbed in the town and crime is primarily confined to local disputes.
The office is next to the cinema hall Indian immigration office 📍:
Immigration procedures: