Kalimpong

Famous for:
Natural beauty, handicraft and wooden carvings. Also famous for Kalimpong Cheese and Lollipops.


Video: Kalimpong town and attractions
 
Background:
Kalimpong means King's Ministers strong hold in Bhutanese language. It was the part of the Kingdom of Bhutan till 1865, after which the British annexed it and merged it with Darjeeling.
It is a beautiful hill station famous for its monasteries, orchid nurseries, flowers, river rafting and nature walks.
The road from Darjeeling to Kalimpong very pretty passing by river through forests and tea gardens.


Video: Driving through Kalimpong town 

What to see:
Tharpa Choling Monastery
Location: At Tirpai Hill
Established in 1937, the Gompa belongs to the Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism to which Dalai Lama also belongs.

The Tongsa Gompa
Location: 1 km from Kalimpong town 
Built in 1630, it is the oldest monastery in this region.

The Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery 
Location: 5 km south from town center
It was blessed by the Dalai Lama and contains the Kanguyar of 108 volumes that was brought by the Dalai Lama when he fled Tibet. It also has great view of the town and its surroundings.

Sericulture Research Institute
Location: On the road to Darjeeling
Here, one can get a look at how silk is produced.

Dr. Graham's Home
Location: On slopes of Dealo, Kalimpong's highest hill
A school located in 500 acres estate, which was started in 1900 by a missionary Dr. John Graham. The school is in a very picturesque surrounding and has its own dairy, poultry and bakery.

Durpin Dara
Highest point in Kalimpong with breathtaking view of the surrounding.

Gauripur House
Location: 2 km from Kalimpong on the way to Durpin Dara
Famous as the place loved by Rabindranath Tagore. He stayed here whenever he visited Kalimpong. 



Video: Paragliding over Kalimpong

Sites Nearby:
Teesta Bazaar
Location: 16 km from Kalimpong
It is the place to go for whitewater rafting. The best time is between November and February.

Lava
Location: 32 km from Kalimpong
A small village located at 2,350 m with dense forest, and an old monastery. Just 3 km leisure trek from Lava is Rishyap/Risop, from where you can have 300 degree view of Himalayan ranges including amazing view of Kanchenjungha. Lave is also the starting point to trekking to the Neora National Park.


Video: Trek from Lava to Rishyap/Risop 

Reaching there:
Air:
Bagdogra (80 km) is the nearest airport, which is connected with Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and other places of northeastern India.

Rail:
Silliguri (60 km) is the nearest meter gauge railway station and New Jalpaiguri (74 km) is the nearest broad gauge railway station.

Road:
NH 31 (Junction with NH - 2 Near Barhi - Bhaktiarpur - Mokameh - Purnea - Dalkola - Silliguri - Sivok - Cooch - Behar - North Salmara - Nalbari - Charali - AminGaon Junction with NH-37) is the National Highway near Kalimpong.
Jeep services are available between Kalimpong to Darjeeling, Gangtok and Siliguri.