Digboi, known as the Oil City of Assam, is a small town area where the first oil well in Asia was drilled. The first refinery was started here as early as 1901 and is the oldest oil well in operation. This place still retains the British ambience, complemented by the clubs and Golf courses nearby. Therefore, the place can proudly boast of two unique features - a 100-year-old extant oilfield and the world's oldest operating oil refinery.
There has always been a strong influence of the British culture and tradition over the lifestyle of Digboi. The world famous golf course in the town, with 18 holes, is a major attraction. Apart from this, some of the beautiful bungalows that the British had constructed for themselves can still be found in this town and attract tourists and travelers from all across the globe.
Assam's oil city with a history going back to the early 18th century, when oil was first discovered in the area.
The history of this town dates back to the year 1869, when a group of people from the Assam Railway and Trading Corporation found the legs of their elephants soaked in black mud that smelt somewhat like oil. In 1889, after much exploration and investigation, a small oil establishment was started here, by the British, which was later enlarged to form the first oil refinery of the country, in the year 1901.
People say that Digboi actually got its name from the phrase “dig – boy – dig”, which the British used to tell the laborers as they dug the fields for crude oil. There has always been a strong influence of the British culture and tradition over the lifestyle of Digboi. The world famous golf course in the town, with 18 holes, is a major attraction. Apart from this, some of the beautiful bungalows that the British had constructed for themselves can still be found in this town and attract tourists and travelers from all across the globe.
By Air: Nearest Airport to Digboi is at in Dibrugarh, around 65 km and is connected by flights from Guwahati and other domestic airports in Assam.
By Rail: Tinsukia is the nearest railway station, around 40 Km from Digboi and is connected by regular trains from Guwahati.
By Road: Digboi is connected by NH 38 to Guwahati which is at a distance of 527 Km from here. Regular state transportation buses and luxury coaches plying between the cities.
Digboi is also a great place to indulge in shopping as traditional textiles and handicrafts, unique only to this area, can be purchased from the local shops and cottage industries, that too at reasonable prices.
Digboi has slowly and gradually climbed up the ladder and has become one of the most important destinations for tourism in Assam. Accordingly number of tourist coming to the town has increased and for accommodating them, many good and relaible hotels have come up in Digboi. You will find good number of 3 star hotels along with budget hotels.