India > Hill Stations > West Bangal > Kalimpong

KALIMPONG

The first thing that strikes you about Kalimpong is the sheer quiet and calm of it’s hilly climes. Leaving behind the chaos of the Norbet Tenzing Bus stand in Siliguri and making your way to Kalimpong, is equivalent to leaving behind the turbulent world and arriving at your very own Utopia. The fact that Kalimpong is not much frequented by tourists, makes it all the more attractive.

The town’s attractions include its peaceful ambience, three monasteries, a couple of charming old churches, a private library, a sericulture centre, orchid nurseries and amazing views over the countryside. And there is plenty for those on the lookout for a little more action. There’s some good trekking and rafting in nearby Teesta Bazaar. But what ultimately makes the town is its people – its warm people who welcome you. The old people with their toothless grins, the rosy-cheeked local lasses and the waving children – all make you feel you have come home.

Let the world pass you by at Kalimpong and enjoy the days. Relish the cuisine and the colourful ways of living. Explore this delightful town with its quaint, old-world charm. Discover the ebullience of its enchantments, let yourself be enticed by its timeless legends and let the warmth of it welcome overwhelm your senses and conquer your heart forever.

PLACES TO VISIT

Gompas

The Tharpa Choeling Gompa, which belongs to the Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is a 40 minute walk from town. Lower down the hill, the Tongsa Gompa, or Bhutanese monastery, is the oldest monastery in the area and dates back to 1692.

Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa, was built in the mid 70s at Durpin Dara hill and was consecrated by the Dalai Lama. The gompa is worth a visit for its impressive wall paintings in the prayer room, and a rare three-dimensional mandala upstairs. The mountain views are amazing from Durpin Dara Hill. Here the lofty mountain ridges stand, proud and imposing. It is a task to drag yourself away from this spellbinding place.

Flower Nurseries

Kalimpong produces 80% of India’s gladioli and is a significant orchid-growing area and it comes as no surprise that flowers are exported from here to many cities in northern India. The Sri Ganesh Moni Pradhan Nursery and the Udai Mani Pradhan Nursery are definitely worth a 'dekko'. Also worth visiting are, Pine wood, Shangri-La and Universal nurseries.

Sericulture Research Institute

At this institute silkworms are bred and silk is produced as well as herbs and plants. Locate on the road to Darjeeling, the institute can be visited between 9.30 am and 4 pm.

Dr. Graham’s Home

Less than an hour’s walk away from the town centre is Dr. Graham’s Home, which was founded in 1900 on the lower slopes of Deolo Hill. The chapel above the school dates from 1925 and features beautiful stained glass windows. Tourists can also visit the fine turn-of-the-century school building, and many people often picnic on the school grounds. From the school building, it is a further 40 minute walk to the summit of Deolo Hill, where there is a Tourist Bungalow and one can enjoy fine views of Kalimpong from here.

Nature Interpretation Centre

Located on Rinkingpong Rd, this centre consists of a number of well-organized dioramas, which depict the effects of human activity on the environment. The centre is open to visitors from Friday to Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm and admission is free.

AROUND KALIMPONG

Teesta Bazaar

Located 16 km from Kalimpong where the road divides for Darjeeling and Siliguri, Teesta Bazaar is becoming a favoured centre for white water rafting. It is possible to tackle the rapids between 15 November and 15 February.

Lava & Kaffer

Lava, situated 30 km east of Kalimpong, is a small village with a Kagyupa gompa. A good time to pay a visit to this town is Tuesday, which happens to be market day. One can also see the summit of Kangchenjunga from Kaffer and is best viewed at sunrise. Buses and jeeps ply regularly between Kalimpong and Lava.

Samco Ropeway

If you like to feel the rush of adrenaline and the blood race through your veins then Samco Ropeway is tailour-made for you. You should head for this chair lift installed by the Swedish as part of an aid program to help villagers cross the Teesta River. But if the thought of dangling from a piece of wire, barely 30 m above water, makes you turn green, then give it a miss. The ropeway is one the main Siliguri-Gangtok road, at a place known locally as the 27th Mile. To get there catch any Siliguri bus from Kalimpong.