Built to the north of Darjeeling, this place has been working to help exiled Tibetans since 1958, by giving them a place to work and an outlet for their goods. They sell the wonderful stuff they produce at the centre itself - their jumpers are of great quality, and useful if you didn't bring anything warm to Darjeeling and find the need of it while you are there! They also make great gifts and souvenirs.

The people who work there are helpful and polite, and you can watch the items being made on the premises. In addition to its commercial and craft functions, it is a community centre. Young people get language and culture lessons there, and there are prayer wheels and other Tibetan Buddhist resources for the local community. There is a small library of religious and Tibetan books. This is an interesting place to visit, but it is also a worthy cause to support. I bought a light blanket here, in red shades, and it was very useful on trains in India as a pad between the plastic sleeping berths and me - it cost about a pound.