Many of us have Kalimpong on our bucket list, don’t we? Well, West Bengal is home to many famous tourist destinations and one of them is the quiet town of Kalimpong. Once the hub of trans-Himalayan trade between Indian and Tibet, is now the quaint little hill station famous for its handicrafts, heavenly monasteries, and scenic beauty. It goes without saying, there are many places to visit in Kalimpong and we are here to help you get the best of your Kalimpong tour.
Perhaps the peak of Kalimpong sightseeing is the beautiful Deolo Hill. Stand on the highest point in town and feel like you are on top of the world. You can have the first meal of your day in the breakfast lodge situated in the vicinity and stroll in the lavish 8-acre park founded by the tourism department. Apart from the view that the hill offers, if you are a thrill-seeker, be sure to experience paragliding, trekking, and horse riding on this hill.
Many people have the wish to visit a haunted mansion. If you are one of them, the Morgan house is here to fulfil all your fantasies! It is certainly one of the places to see near Kalimpong. Surrounded by stories of the place being haunted, this spectacular colonial lodge allows you to have the best of comfort. Apart from the old charm of the structure, you get to see unending hills, mesmerising sunsets, and the picturesque beauty of nature. And, if you do get to hear the faint footsteps on the wooden floors, be rest assured it is Mrs Morgan checking in to make sure your stay is comfortable (just kidding)!
As we have already said, the hill station is replete with monasteries that attract a lot of Buddhists and tourists in general. It is one of the best places here to experience spirituality and bask in the calmness that exudes from the marvellous structure. Apart from that, you can also read through the 110 manuscripts and leave the place with lots of knowledge about Buddhism. If you want to have a relaxing few hours amidst the hills and experience Buddhism, this is the best Kalimpong tourist spot for you.
Kalimpong has a strange yet beautiful relationship with old and historic structures, and you get to experience it too! The Crockety is a bungalow dating back to the British era. Around the archaic cottage, you can see well-maintained lush lawns and gardens that are pleasing to the eye. If you are into photography, the excellent architecture resplendent with British motifs, will surely catch your attention. Amongst all Kalimpong places to visit, Crockety attracts tourists all year round. You can join them too and revel in the beauty of history.
Also known as the Kalimpong Cactus Nursery, it houses a wide gamut of cacti and orchids. Something that had started off as passion turned into one of the booming Kalimpong tourist places. What will surely catch your attention are 1500 species of cacti spread over 2 acres of land and the natural beauty all around the nursery. Just make sure not to get too close to the thorns and you will be good to go.
If you love science and are always on the hunt for new trivia and facts about it, do head out to the Kalimpong Science Centre. Ever regret not taking part in your school’s science fair? Don’t fret! The centre has many activities going on inside at all times and there are many experiments which you can conduct yourself! So you can pour that baking soda to create the volcano effect or make an electromagnet out of pieces of metal and feel like a child in a science lab, again. The garden outside the building is flooded with many dinosaur models, which are a great treat for adults and children alike. If you are a science buff or have little children, this is one of the best Kalimpong tourist spots for you.
If you are an art and culture buff and are thinking what’s for you in the town? Well, pay a visit to the popular Lepcha Museum. The museum was founded mainly to preserve the culture of the Lepchas, a regional community. Inside, you will find various articles of worship and indigenous musical instruments used by the Lepchas and many more artefacts. If you want to feel the rustic culture of the local people then amongst all the Kalimpong places, this museum should top your list.
The Haat Bazaar is a sacred place to both visitors as well as the locals. Like a marketplace thriving with people, buyers bargaining, sellers employing theatrics to sell their produce? Visit this bazaar. It is especially known for its good quality Dalley, Kaulo, Gundruk, and Churpi. You will find almost everything here in this local market. If you want to feel the pulse of the locals or just stroll around the market nestled amongst the hills, you can come here, it certainly falls on the list of places to visit near Kalimpong.
For all nature lovers, a visit to Lolegaon will surely make you fall in love with nature all again. The peaceful village houses a host of attractions that revolve around the blissful wildlife and lush green forests. Some of the main attractions include the Canopy Walk. You get to experience the long walk movie actors take on a long rope bridge, dangling over a drop of some thousand feet. Sounds amazing, right? Apart from the several hotels and lodges around here, some local households also offer their homes for tourist accomodation. Sitting and interacting with the locals will surely make for a good time. So do visit Lolegaon as it tops the list of tourist places near Kalimpong.
Over the years, the river Teesta flowing through the town has become a popular tourist spot in Kalimpong tourism. You can engage in river rafting, which will surely pump up your adrenaline. So do go over to the meandering waters of the river to enjoy the view and try your hand at some adventure.
The tiny but magnificent hill station has a lot of places you must visit! All you need to do is just head there, and all its wonders will reveal themselves to you.
