Kalimpong is a small hill station nestled on the foothills of Shivalik ranges at an altitude of 1250 meters overlooking the Teesta Valley. Kalimpong is known for its breathtaking view and rich history. The first thing you will notice after you reach Kalimpong is its quiet atmosphere and sightseeing places. And the quite ambience is heightened by the presence of churches and monastery sprawled around the town. Apart from the scenic beauty and sightseeing places, Kalimpong also attracts visitors for its mouth-watering local cuisine and merchandise.
"Kalim" in local dialect means King's Minister and Pong means Stronghold. So the name Kalimpong actually means Stronghold of King's Minister and has originated from the time of king's dynasty in the region. Some say that the name has been derived from the word Kalibong (locals call it Kaulim). It's a type of fibre plant used for making paper. This plant is found in abundance in Kalimpong and hence the name.
Kalimpong is situated on the northern edge of West Bengal in east India and is about 53km away from Darjeeling 2.5hrs drive. With the alpine weather and panoramic view of the adjacent valley, Kalimpong is the paradise for the nature lover. Somewhat secluded and tucked away in the corner under the big Darjeeling umbrella, Kalimpong offers a quiet and relaxed holiday against the backdrop of Kanchenjunga.
Kalimpong is nicely connected with most of the major cities by air, by road or by Rail. Here are the detail pieces of information about how to reach Kalimpong:
There are many sightseeing places for tourist interest in Kalimpong, with three important gompas or monasteries the Tharpa Choeling Gompa, the Tongsa Gompa and Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa making Kalimpong a major hub for the Buddhism followers. However, Kalimpong is not popular just about its monasteries. Other sightseeing places of Kalimpong are as mentioned below:
The Tharpa Choeling Gompa was established in 1922 and belongs to the Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. His Highness the Dalai Lama also belongs to this sect, which was founded in the 14th century in Tibet.
The Tongsa Gompa is located near the Tharpa Choeling Gompa. It is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong and was founded in 1692. The present building is constructed over the ruins of the original monastery, which was raised by the Gurkhas, in the pre-British era.
The Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa was built in the mid-1970s on Durpin Hill and is located 5 km south from the town centre. It was consecrated by His Highness the Dalai Lama. This monastery is famous for its traditional Tibetan wall paintings.
Kalimpong is an important flower producing centre and it produces 80% of the total gladioli produced in India. The Kalimpong Cactus Nursery is a place where visitors can see rare and different species of cacti along with 400 types of orchids. Due to its scenic beauty, it is one of the must-visit sightseeing places in Kalimpong and undoubtedly a popular tourist attraction.
One of the tourist attractions in Kalimpong, Sericulture Research Institute is a silkworms breeding centre known for its serene atmosphere. The mesmerizing view of the surroundings and its lush greenery will certainly captivate your mind.
Dr. Graham's Home, a fascinating ancient construction is a must-visit sightseeing place in Kalimpong. Built more than a century ago, this jaw-dropping architectural excellence takes us to the history of the colonial period in India.
Kalimpong is one of the favourite places for all the adventure seekers since it offers them a different option like hiking, river rafting and paragliding. From nature lover to adventure seeker there is something for everyone. Here are some of the things to do in Kalimpong.
Kalimpong witnesses all the major seasons in a year such as summer, winter, autumn, spring and Monsoon. Due to its high elevation, the weather stays cold yet quite charming most of the time.
Kalimpong, with its alluring sightseeing places and atmosphere can be visited at any time of the year. But, the months of March to May and also September to December are the most preferred time to visit Kalimpong.
There are plenty of accommodation options available in Kalimpong. Whether you are seeking a budget, cheap or best hotels, Kalimpong has every kind of accommodation options for every kind of travellers.
With North Tourism's Kalimpong Hotel Booking Services, you can have the best in class hotel accommodation at the cheapest price.
Kalimpong with its intense charisma captivates thousands of travellers all through the years. Whether you want an adventurous, sightseeing or a tranquil tour, Kalimpong has all the proportions for every kind of travellers.
Indulge yourself in Kalimpong sightseeing, taste its mouth-craving cuisine and have a mesmerizing view of the Mount Kanchenjunga. Now, you don't have to worry about accommodation, sightseeing, meals and cars. Just enjoy your holiday and let us organize a complete Kalimpong Tour Package exclusively for you.
Darjeeling
The Batasia Loop
Darjeeling Ropeway
Darjeeling Toy Train
Dhirdham Temple
Ghoom Monastery
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
Lloyd's Botanical Garden
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
The Rock Garden
Tiger Hill
Kalimpong
Kurseong
Mirik
Lava
Lolegaon
Kolakham
Changey Falls
Neora Valley National Park
Sonada
Charkol
Manebhanjan
Sandakphu
Rohini
Sukna
Rongtong
Ramdhura
Icchegaon
Sillerygaon
Pedong
Rishikhola
Siliguri
Chota Mangwa
Bara Mangwa
Lamahatta
Latpanchar
Tinchuley
Lepchajagat
Rishyap