My take on Kalimpong - Deepjyoti Roy

 About Kalimpong

              Kalimpong is a town and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located at an average elevation of 1,250 metres (4,101 ft).^[4] The town is the headquarters of the Kalimpong district.^[5] Kalimpong district region comes under Gorkhaland Territorial Administration which is an autonomous governing body within the state of West Bengal. The Indian Army's 27 Mountain Division is located on the outskirts of the city.^[6]

            Kalimpong is known for its educational institutions, many of which were established during the British colonial period.^[7] It used to be a gateway in the trade between Tibet and India before China's annexation of Tibet and the Sino-Indian War. Kalimpong and neighbouring Darjeeling were major centres calling for a separate Gorkhaland state in the 1980s, and more recently in 2010.

                    The municipality sits on a ridge overlooking the Teesta River and is a tourist destination owing to its temperate climate, natural environment and proximity to popular tourist locations in the region. Horticulture is important to Kalimpong: It has a flower market notable for its wide array of orchids; nurseries, which export Himalayan grown flower bulbs, tubers and rhizomes, contribute to the economy of Kalimpong.^[4] The Tibetan Buddhist monastery Zang Dhok Palri Phodang holds a number of rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.^[8]

                    The Kalimpong Science Centre, established under the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 2008 is a recent addition to its many tourist attractions. The Science Centre, which provides for scientific awareness among the students of the town and the locals sits atop the Deolo Hill.

Enough Boring information 

                Well that's all the information I can provide in this blog , the main topic is how it is to visit Kalimpong and would you rather consider visiting Kalimpong then Darjeeling.

                    My take is that if you have the option to visit both the towns then well and good , but if you are on a tight budget and limited time , you can give Kalimpong and it's neighboring places a try . Well that's at least my take on it . 

                    Darjeeling is too crowded. Kurseong is too quiet. Somewhere in between lies Kalimpong, offering a slow and immersive travel experience. Check into a plush heritage hotel in town or choose a comfortable homestay in any of the mountain hamlets for an escape from the hectic sightseeing and enjoy your holiday in a more relaxed surrounding instead. Located in the northern part of West Bengal, Kalimpong is about 50km by road from its more famous neighbour Darjeeling.

                        Your slow travel through Kalimpong can begin with a stay at one of the old luxury hotels which nestle among the pine-clad slopes, away from the bustling town centre. Located on the Upper Cart Road is the Himalayan Hotel. Once upon a time Kalimpong was a flourishing trade post on the Trans-Himalayan route and a strategic town for British India. The Himalayan Hotel is the former home of a British trading agent (who had served in Tibet) and author David Macdonald. After his retirement in 1924, he converted a part of his house into a luxury hotel. The Kalimpong Park Hotel on Rinkingpong Road is the former residence of a former Bengal royal family from Dinajpur.

With the snow peaks of the eastern Himalayas, topped by Mt Kanchenjunga, etching its skyline, Kalimpong sits easy between two hills, Durpin and Deolo. Built atop the Durpin hill is Morgan House, once the home of a wealthy British jute baron. Built sometime around 1930, it is now a luxury hotel run by the state tourism department. From here, you can catch a panoramic view of the snow peaks, on a clear day. Writers have praised the spectacular sunrise seen from here

 

    There Are many thing to do in Kalimpong , Here is a link list of the activities that you can do.

(VISIT This Link),

        Apart from the things and activities mentioned in the list many other off beat locations are there that you can visit to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

        There is one place Sillery Gaon that you can visit if you are looking for a paradise amid the mesmeric beauty of hills and lush greenery around.The enchanting beauty of Sillery Gaon should be your upcoming travel destination.

A Photo of Sillery Gaon

 Now ,Coming back to Kalimpong.

     Kalimpong is also the gateway to several tiny villages lying off the beaten tourist track. Located about 35km away by road from Kalimpong is Lava village while Lolaygaon is further 25km away. Apart from scenic mountain views, the region is also known for its birds and butterflies. There is a Nature Interpretation Centre in Lava, which is also the gateway to the Neora Valley National Park. In Lolaygaon, try a canopy walk across the hanging bridges within the forests of cypress, oak and fir trees. Lava and Lolaygaon are relatively well known in the region and offer a mix of hotels and homestays.

In Conclusion

    If you are not loathe to give up the frills of a luxurious stay, you may try out places such as Pedong, Rishop, Icchegaon, Ramdhura, Sherpa Gaon, etc. These hamlets tucked inside the hills offer mountain views and trekking opportunities. The village homestays offer comfortable lodgings, home cooked food made from locally grown produce and opportunities to learn about the lifestyle of the local hill tribes. 

Created BY- 
	Deepjyoti Roy