Kalimpong, West Bengal

        Kalimpong is a remote hill station and has been a meeting point of the once 'Three Closed Lands' on the trade route to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. It has beautiful mountain scenery, oak forests and abundance of flowers. The lifestyle of the local people is a interesting mixture of the social influences of its neighbours, Nepal, Tibet, Sikkim and Bhutan. It is situated at an altitude of 1250m. Kalimpong has the ideal climate for orchid-growing and has a number of commercial nurseries which export orchids and cacti.

Climate: It has gentle climate.
Summers: Temprature is around 30 degree Celsius.

Winters: Temprature is about 7 degree Celsius. Winters are Cool.

Accomodation:

• Silver Oaks
  at Main Road, is centrally located, family run and the best hotel in town. Tel: 296.
• Kalimpong Park Hotel
  at Ringking Road. Tel: 304.
• Himalayan Hotel
  Tel: 248.
• Tashiding Tourist Lodge
  is a budget hotel Tel: 654.
• Other hotel, within one'd budget is Singamari Tourist Lodge,
  at Durpin Hill, tel: 384.

How to reach there:
It is 51 km  from Darjeeling and it is possible to make the trip by taxi or jeep. Kalimpong is 654 km from Calcutta. 

Air: Siliguri's Bagdogra airport is the nearest - 80km away. Taxis can be hired at the airport for Kalimpong. Local Indian Airlines office is looked after by Mintri Transport (Tel:-55697)

Rail: The nearest railway stations are Siliguri Junction (68 km), and New Jalpaiguri (77 km). Railway tickets for trains ex-New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri can be purchased from the Railway Out Agency, Motor Stand, Kalimpong.

Road: Kalimpong can be reached by bus/taxi/jeep from Siliguri in about 3 hours. North Bengal State Transport Corporation and private operators run frequent services. Buses/taxis/jeeps are also available for Darjeeling and Gangtok.

Where to visit:
Thongsa Gompa: It is the oldest monastery in the towm. It is of Bhutanese origin and was built around 1692. The Pedong Monastery, established in 1837, also shows Bhutanese influence and is situated within a mile of the Bhutanese fort of Damsang. A festival is held there each February. 

The Tharpa Choling Monastery: It belongs to the Dalai Lama's Yellow Hat Sect, and was established in 1937. 

Dr. Graham's Homes: Started in 1900 by a Scottish missionary, Dr. John Anderson Graham. He and his wife dedicated their lives in building up this beautiful complex for the education and care of orphans and other deprived children. It now enrolls 700 students.  It has its own dairy, poultry and bakery. Central Sericultural Farm and Swiss Welfare dairy are worth visiting.

Thongsa Gompa: It is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong. It was founded in 1692. The Pedong Bhutanese monastery was established in the same year near the old Bhutanese Damsang Fort at Algara where ceremonial dances are held every February. Brang monastery is situated at Durpin Dara, the highest point in Kalimpong with excellent over the plains, the Tista and Reang rivers. Brang monastery is one of its kind out side Tibet and  has retained the special lamaistic order with a school of Tibetan Medicine and a religious debating society. 

Tharpa Choling Monastery: On the way to the Graham's Homes, founded in 1937, belongs to the Gelugpa Sect of the Dalai Lama. It has old documents and scriptures.

Mangal Dham: It is a new and very colourful temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.

A little entertainment: Kalimpong has a well laid-out golf course near the Durpin Dara Monastery.

Nurseries: They are in Kalimpong are famous for the orchids, amaryllis, roses, cacti, dahlias and gladioli. They are also exported. There are many such nurseries in Kalimpong and you can visit one of them to buy some sapling or just to see the flora. 

Walks: There are pleasant walks through Tista Road and rice fields to Chitray Falls, about 9 km away, or take a leisurely walk to Bhalu Khop. 

Durpin Dara: Towers over Kalimpong, and affords a breathtaking view of the plains rolling down to Siliguri and the valley of Teesta and Rangit rivers on one side, and on other, snow-clad Kanchenjunga and the Chola range.

Shopping:The most interesting shopping is that of fresh local produce. Ginger (fresh), honey, a special kind of cheese, Tibetan noodles, jewellery, artifacts, paintings, Khukris (Gorkha-knives), exotic herbs, flower bulbs and seeds, are good buys. Most shops are on or below the Main Road. Raja Dorje Market and the 10th Mile Bazar see villagers turning up with fresh produce.Kalimpong Arts & Crafts Centre, has a showroom near the Motor Stand. One can find Lepcha and other Sikkimese and Bhutanese embroidered work on dresses, purses and fire screens.

Around the city:
Lava: 32 km from Kalimpong, at an altitude of 7200 ft, is a scenic spot with a panoramic view of Rechi La and Jelep La passes. There is a Forest Bungalow here.

Lolay Gaon: 56 km from Kalimpong, offers a superb view of Kanchenjunga, especially at sunrise. Forest Bungalow available for accommodation.

Takdah Orchid Centre: 44 km from Kalimpong, offers a choice of 110 varieties of orchids on sale.

Pedong Monastery: 26 km from Kalimpong, is an old monastery, established in 1837.

Teesta Bazar: An interesting hamlet around Teesta Bridge on the way to Kalimpong. The climb to reach Kalimpong starts from here.

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