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Kalimpong

Kalimpong, a hilltop town in the state of West Bengal, is situated on an altitude of 1,247 m (4,091 ft) above the sea level. It is another beautiful and important hill station at the Mahabharata Range of Himalaya in West Bengal, as like Darjeeling. Kalimpong is the headquarters of newly created district Kalimpong, declared on 14th February, 2017 by Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee as of 21st district of the state West Bengal, India. The lonely River Teesta flows on the left, behind and far-below to the town.

The crowd-less and peaceful town Kalimpong is located in between Deolo Hill and Durpin Hill. Deolo Hill is the highest point in Kalimpong, has an altitude of 1,704 m (5,591 ft) and Durpin Hill has an elevation of 1,372 m (4,501 ft). The famous monastery Fobrang and Nine Hole Golf Course are situated at the top of the Durpin Hill. Kalimpong is an ideal tourist spot for everyone, due to its climates. It is neither too hot at summer nor very cold at winter. If the weather is clear, then you can take a marvellous view of the Mt. Kanchenjunga and the surrounding of the town. And also can take a view of several other hills, like- Kang, Jaanu, Kabru, Pandim, Seembu, Siniyalchu and Chomio Mou.

sumendu lake in Kalimpong

(Sumendu Lake in Kalimpong, Darjeeling)

Horticulture has an important role to the economy of Kalimpong. It has a notable flower markets for its wide varieties of orchids. A numbers of flower nurseries export the Himalayan grown flower bulbs, tubers and rhizomes worldwide, which is a big contribution to the local economy.

Civic Information

Kalimpong town is situated at Kalimpong district, which was established as of the 21st district of West Bengal, on 14th February, 2017 after splitting the district Darjeeling. Kalimpong city serve as the district headquarter town for the district. Apart from the district administration, an autonomous governing body Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) is also administrate this district along with Darjeeling subdivisions, Kurseong subdivisions and some areas of Siliguri subdivisions of Darjeeling district. The DGHC monitors the developments of all public welfare department and services in its territory. It has a governing body of 42 councillors, where 8 councillors have been elected from Kalimpong. It is also a Municipality town having 23 wards. The rural area of Kalimpong district covers with three community development blocks - Kalimpong I, Kalimpong II and Gorubathan consisting of forty-two Gram Panchayats.

Kalimpong is a Hindu majority area, but some population also belongs to Buddhism, Muslim and Christianity religion. Nepali is a common ethnic community in Kalimpong and they are the majority here. Indigenous ethnic groups include the Newar, Lepchas, Bhutia, Sherpas, Limbus, Rais, Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Yolmo, Bhujels, Sunuwars, Sarkis, Damais and the Kamis. The Bengali, Marwari, Anglo-Indian, Chinese, Bihari, and Tibetans are also very much available here. Nepali is predominate language at Kalimpong and most of the residents' mother tongue is Nepali. Some people reside at Kalimpong who has a vernacular among Lepcha, Limbu, Tamang, Kirat, Hindi, and Bengali. If you don’t know any of the languages, then English may be used for your communication with the locals.

Places in Kalimpong

Note
Altitude 1,247 m (4,091 ft)
Location Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district, West Bengal
Nearest City Kurseong, Darjeeling and Siliguri
Distance 70 km from Siliguri and 56 km from Darjeeling
Temperature 15°C to 30°C (Summer)
7°C and Min 15°C (Winter)
Clothing Light woolen and tropical in summer (umbrellas and raincoats are useful) and heavy woolen in winter.
Languages Nepali, Hindi, Bengali, Lepcha, Limbu, Tamang, Kirat, and English
Best Season March to May and September to November
Currency Indian Rupee(indian rupee)

Durpin Dara:
Durpin Dara is situated about 3 km away from the main town. It is the highest point in Kalimpong, 1,402 m of height from sea level. It is an observatory point at Kalimpong, which offers breathtaking views of the ever beauty Himalayas. It also gives you a panoramic view of the Teesta and Relli rivers along with the plains situated on the far below.

Deole Hill:
Deole Hill is one of the numerous hill destination in India. Basically it is a picnic spot and has a tourist lodge of the WBDTC. It is very good view points for mt. Kanchenjunga, so you should reach at there as early as possible or stay here for a night. It is also famous for the Graham’s Home.

Graham's Home:
The Graham's Home is not just an ordinary school, but a pride of the Kalimpong city. This distinguished heritage site has a century-old history about the social reform. Dr. John Anderson Graham noticed the humiliation and social isolation of the Anglo-Indian children of the fair-skinned British & the local women. So he wrote to then the Bengal Governor in details about their painful life. In 1900, with a little help by then the Bengal Governor, he started his new journey of life with 6 Anglo-Indian orphan children and built a charitable residential organization on the lower slopes of Deole Hill. Nowadays it is a full-fledged residential school having more than 1,500 boys and girls and about 20% of them come from needy families. It has an old church adjoining to the school area, having a great example of 100 years old architecture. There has its own farmhouse, bakery, dairy & poultry and a hospital inside the Graham's Home periphery. Dr. Graham Homes has celebrated two dates very eagerly every year. In the month of May, it celebrates May Fair, which is a traditional carnival day and the students show their activities and skills in art, craft, cookery & science and having a performance by the school band. In September, they celebrate Dr. Graham’s Homes foundation day. It is a two-day activity, which also includes an annual flowers show at the Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel. Visitors are permissible to visit on the bungalow and memorial of Dr. Graham. It is a great experience spending some time here! Graham's Home is open for tourists between 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm every day.

Thongsa Monastery:
Thongsa Monastery is also of Bhutanese origin and was built around 1692, making it the oldest monastery in the region.

Flowers and Orchids Garden:
Kalimpong is famous for its unique and exotic flowers, orchids and cactus to all over the world. There are many commercial and private flower nurseries in the city of Kalimpong which export flowers, orchids, and cactuses to different parts in India and abroad. You are advised to visit the beautiful laid out "Universal Bulb & Plant Nurseries" at 8th Milestone, Rishi Road, which is about 3 km driving distance from the town. The "Pine View Nursery" at Khasmahal is another destination for orchid’s lover; more than 500 types of rare orchids and cactus are available in this nursery. The "Ganesh Mani Pradhan & Son" and the "Udai Mani Pradhan Nursery" are also especially renowned for its varieties of orchids, cactus and flowers in the area. The "Standard Nursery" at Chibo Busty is famous for Rose, Gerbera, and Dahlias. You are willingly welcomed by any nursery for visits or photo-shoot.

Apart from the above tourist destination, there many more tourist spots in and around Kalimpong. Kalibari of Kalimpong, 2 km from the town, which is built on 1956; Satmile View Point; Tharpa Choling Monastery of Geluk-Paa community, which is situated at 1,704m elevation on Deole Hill; McFarlane Memorial Church; Nature Interpretation Centre near Kalimpong College; Mangaldham Temple, recently constructed place of worship; Deole Dam are also famous of them.

Nearby Destinations

Darjeeling (elevation 2,042.16 m) is famous for its natural beauty and marvelous atmosphere. In the summer, Darjeeling is a very good destination to visitors. Many tourists from east and north-east India come to Darjeeling to spend summer vacation. It is internationally renowned as a tourist destination, along with for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lava is one of the beautiful & peaceful tourist spot, located with an altitude of 2,138 m from the sea level. There also some interesting places for visit-Monastery, forest museum, lake, glass house. It is just 9 km road distance and 3 kilometers trekking distance from Rishyap / Rishop and 35 kilometers road distance from Kalimpong. Lava situated on the way to Rishyap / Rishop from Siliguri.

Lolegaon is a must visit tourist spot in the Dooars, located at a distance of 12 kilometer from Lava and 54 kilometer from Kalimpong and situated above 1,850m or 5,500 feet from the sea level. Rishop, an upcoming popular tourist destination is only 27 km from Kalimpong.

Sikkim is the second smallest and least populous state of India, nestled in the Himalayas. Sikkim is always attract visitors with its natural beauty. Its legendary mountains, landscape and monasteries are famous for tourist’s point of view. There have several magical mountain lakes. Gangtok, Thangu Lake, Yumthang Valley, Lachung, Pelling are some popular tourist destination in Sikkim. Gangtak, capital city of Sikkim is 85 kilometers away from Kalimpong.

How to Reach Kalimpong

Kalimpong is 70 km from Siliguri and around 56 km from Darjeeling and is well connected by buses and taxis from both the places. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra (80 km) and the nearest railway station at New Jalpaiguri (76 km).

By Road: Kalimpong is well connected by all-weather metal roads with Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kurseong and all other major towns of North Bengal. Tourist Cars, Tourist mini coaches and taxis are available for transfer of passengers between Kalimpong and Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra. Journey time is around 2 hours.

By Rail: Nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri (76 Kilometers from the Kalimpong) and Siliguri. After arriving at Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri, you may follow the above road journey.

By Air: Nearest airport is Bagdogra. It is a domestic. All major air services are available from all over India. Distance between Bagdogra and Siliguri is 13 km. You can find out various vehicles from there to reach Kalimpong.

Accommodation

Accommodation is easily available at Kalimpong. A verity of hotels, tourist Lodge, tourist cottages are available with various budgets. In fact, there are several Swiss cottages too in Kalimpong that are referred to as Motels that make excellent accommodation option.

To check the room availability and online booking in the resorts of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation click here.

Reservation Authorities

Tourism Centre, Govt. of West Bengal
3/2, B.B.D. Bag (East)
Kolkata - 700001
Phone : (+91) 033-22485917 / 88271
Tourism Centre, Govt. of West Bengal
M-4 Building, Pradhan Nagar
Hill Cart Road, Siliguri - 734403
Phone : (+91) 0353-2511979 / 4, 2432561
E-mail : maitl@dte.vsnl.net.in
Tourist Bureau
1, Nehru Road, The Mall
Gram : Dartour, P.O. - Darjeeling
Phone : (+91) 0354-254050