Jaigaon (Bengali: জয়গাঁও) is a city in North Bengal in India. 
The town exists mainly because it is on the border of Bhutan. Most business centres around cross border trade (automobile repairs, fruit and vegetables, clothes, etc.). 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 and would be a good place to meet Bhutanese people who are very friendly and rarely see foreigners.
If you can't get into Bhutan, this border town can offer a brief glimpse into the hermit kingdom.
Bhutanese currency is fixed to the Indian rupee and as a result many (if not all) shops use the two interchangeably. Simply ask a shopkeeper nicely to swap some of your Indian rupees for Bhutanese Druk which make marvelous and inexpensive souvenirs.
If you hang around the border you can see Bhutanese (sometimes in traditional attire) leave their country to smoke a cigarette, then return to Bhutan where cigarette smoking in public is illegal.
The Bhutan gate itself is really the only thing worth taking your camera out for.
- 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) not at the border, as is customary. 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.
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) not at the border, as is customary. 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.
Bhutanese religious and cultural items can be bought cheaply at several stores along the main road if you turn right at "Bhutan gate"
Strange artifacts 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!
- 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
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
Good Bhutanese food is relatively hard to come by as most people would rather just walk across the border.
Move towards Phuentsholing. There are liquor stores; Royal Bhutan. which also imports and Sonam Main Liqueur Shop where you can find Phuentsholing and Jaigaon at good prices.
- Hotel Devi, N.S Road, (Super market chowpati, +91 3566-263174, +91 3566-264710. Could be a better place to have freshly cooked food,it has a very cozy homely environment.
Hotel Devi, N.S Road, (Super market chowpati, +91 3566-263174, +91 3566-264710. Could be a better place to have freshly cooked food,it has a very cozy homely environment.
- Banks in Jaigaon are not authorised to change foreign currency.
- Indian Immigration is located in the centre of town (after leaving Bhutan Gate, take a right and follow the main road. Immigration is on the right, next to the movie theatre.
Banks in Jaigaon are not authorised to change foreign currency.
Indian Immigration is located in the centre of town (after leaving Bhutan Gate, take a right and follow the main road. Immigration is on the right, next to the movie theatre.
Bhutan.