Kalimpong is a district in the West Bengal state with an area of about 1,053.60 km2 and an average population of about 251,642. It was previously a subdivision of the Darjeeling district but is now a separate district after 14th February 2017. Kalimpong is a place of tourist attraction as it is located a 2.5 hour drive from Darjeeling, which itself booms with tourists. Tourists love to stay in Kalimpong for short vacations. The word Kalimpong can be separated: the word Kalim in the local dialect means King’s minister and Pong means Stronghold. Therefore, Kalimpong means “stronghold of King’s Minister” and that has been a part of the kingdom.
Kalimpong is located at a high altitude of 4,100 ft above sea level and, because of its lower altitude than Darjeeling, the climatic conditions remain calm and pleasant for most of the year. Kalimpong also hosts the Kanchenjunga Mountain, and the lush greenery and sweeping landscapes urge tourists to stay here. Kalimpong was actually a part of the Bhutan kingdom but was separated in 1864 after the British arrived. Since then, Kalimpong has been an integral part of the country.
- Also Read: Best Places to Visit In Darjeeling
Places to Visit in Kalimpong
It’s a common notion that Kalimpong is a small town and has nothing much to offer its guests, whereas the truth is Kalimpong is booming with its rich cultural heritage and majestic landscapes to share with those who decide to stay in Kalimpong. There are many tourist attractions here, including the Kanchenjunga and the Chola ranges, and the Teesta River flowing between the towering mountains, parklands, monasteries with excellent architecture, nurseries of flowers, quaint temples, and much more.
Some people argue, and somewhat I also think, that there are more vantage points in Kalimpong than in Darjeeling to admire the Kanchenjunga. There are also beautiful stretches of land that you will enjoy while driving past them. There are many places to visit in Kalimpong, and you may get troubled visiting them without proper planning. Hence, it is best to shortlist the places you want to visit, take a taxi from the stand, and set out to explore the beauty that lies within this town.
- Must Read: Places to Visit In Siliguri
Durpin Monastery
- Location: Durpin Dara Hill, Kalimpong
- Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: March to April (Spring)
- How to Reach: Accessible by taxi from Kalimpong town.
- Nearby Places: Durpin Dara Hill, Teesta River, Zang Dhok Palri Phodang.
You can make your stay in Kalimpong memorable by visiting Durpin Monastery. The Durpin Monastery is situated at Durpin Dara Hill. On entering the monastery, you’ll find two large cylinders on two sides. You can turn them with the lever, and they are arranged so that a bell rings at every turn. As in any Buddhist monastery, you’ll find a row of prayer wheels. The monastery holds rare Buddhist manuscripts and Tibetology inside what is called “The Kangyur” of 108 volumes. These were actually presented by the Dalai Lama to the monastery when he visited in 1956. From the monastery itself, you can see the Kanchenjunga peak, the flow of the Teesta and Reang rivers.
Thongsa Gompa
- Location: Near Durpin Monastery, Kalimpong
- Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: March to April (Spring)
- How to Reach: Accessible by taxi from Kalimpong town.
- Nearby Places: Durpin Monastery, Deolo Hill.
The Thongsa Gompa monastery is located nearby the Durpin monastery. This monastery is also known as the Bhutan monastery and is the oldest in Kalimpong, having been built in 1962. You may also see and walk through the sea of pigeons when they are fed in the open courtyard of the monastery. You can visit this place while you stay in Kalimpong.
Mangaldham
- Location: Near Thongsa Gompa, Kalimpong
- Timing: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: March to April (Spring)
- How to Reach: Accessible by taxi from Kalimpong town.
- Nearby Places: Thongsa Gompa, Deolo Hill.
It is one of the most majestic temples in India and surely in Kalimpong. It spreads across 2 acres of land beside the Thongsa Gompa monastery. In 1940, a spiritual saint, “Guruji Shri Mangal Das Ji Maharaj,” visited Kalimpong. The visit laid an impact on his spiritual dreams of serving the poor and needy. He decided to fulfill this dream in Kalimpong and dedicate his life to social service. The Mangaldham is built in his memory. The temple believes in Knowledge, Devotion, and Service. Visit the temple to make your stay in Kalimpong religious too.
Durpin Dara Hill
- Location: South of Kalimpong town
- Timing: Open 24 hours (best during daylight)
- Entry Fee: Free
- Best Time to Visit: March to April (Spring)
- How to Reach: Accessible by taxi from Kalimpong town.
- Nearby Places: Durpin Monastery, Teesta River, Zang Dhok Palri Phodang.
Durpin Dara Hill gets its name from the great views, of course. The word ‘Durpin’ means binocular in Nepali. Durpin Dara Hill is the second-highest mountain in this area and is located south of Kalimpong town. The hill overlooks the Durpin Monastery and the Teesta River flowing down through these mountains.
Famous Festivals
Dashain/ Durga Puja
- Durga Puja / Dashain
- Location: Celebrated across Kalimpong
- When: September to November (varies based on lunar calendar)
- Significance: The biggest festival in Kalimpong, celebrated with grand rituals, decorations, and community events. Dashain is marked by animal sacrifices, feasts, and buying new clothes, especially for poor families.
Durga Puja is a holy festival and is celebrated widely in the City of Joy, but no wonder you can find its essence here too. Durga Puja is celebrated in the month of Kartik, between late September and mid-November. It is the biggest festival of the year, and people are joyous, indulging themselves in this 15-day celebration. It is also known as the Dashain festival. The Dashain festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm even here. For poor families, it is the only time when they buy new clothes. They also perform animal sacrifices to offer protein to their goddess and eat it throughout the year. There are more than 50 pandals set up in Kalimpong alone.
Famous Food
- Momos: Steamed or fried dumplings with vegetables or meat.
- Thukpa: Noodle soup with vegetables or meat.
- Tibetan & Chinese Cuisine: Popular dishes include fried rice, noodles, and stir-fries.
Eating out while you stay in Kalimpong is another beautiful experience. There are many large restaurants and dining places. This hill station definitely satisfies the hunger of people with small and simple stalls. Momos and Thukpa are the special foods that the town offers to its tourists. Kalimpong people also enjoy Chinese and Tibetan cuisine.
Shopping Places in Kalimpong
- Rishi Market: Local handicrafts, woolens, spices. Bargaining is common.
- 10th Mile Market: Wholesale clothes, spices, textiles. Fixed, reasonable prices.
- Haat Bazar: Fresh vegetables, clothes, bags. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays for local goods.
Shopping is important for survival in the town. The Kalimpong district has two major shopping places full of shops. The Rishi Market is the primary one. The road through this market leads to a tri-junction marketplace through which these roads lead to more marketplaces.
All sorts of goods can be found in this Rishi Road marketplace. The marketplace has shops on both sides. Bargaining before buying is a good idea. Once you are done with shopping, you can find a cab stationed on the road in a line.
The other market is at 10th Mile (1 mile from the Town Square). You can walk down the road and buy everything you want. However, this marketplace is a wholesale market and prices are fixed, yet reasonable. If you want to buy something in bulk, this is the perfect place. The market was famous during the old days in the 1900s. When the trade routes were connected to Tibet through the Silk route, there was heavy trade with mules carrying silk clothes, gold ornaments, etc., to be packed and sold.
There is another place you may visit, the Haat Bazar of Kalimpong. It is a local village market that sets up weekly on every Wednesday and Saturday. It can be reached from Rish Road. Villagers from all over the place come here to buy vegetables, clothes, bags, and many other things.
Ideal Time to Visit Kalimpong
Kalimpong has well defined seasons like Summer, Spring, “Winter, and Autumn. The Kalimpong remains “clam for most of the year. Spring Is the ideal time to visit Kalimpong. Between the months of March and April, when the temperature remains around 11C to 24C and the weather is cool, the sky remains clear and viewing the Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan peaks become easier. The tourists flock into Kalimpong from the month of April, when the schools give vacation. Hotels start filling and climbing rates become high.
How to Reach
- By Plane– You may take a flight to Bagdogra airport and from there books a taxi for Kalimpong.
- By Train– Get on a train that will take you ton NJP junction. Get down at this station and take a taxi for Kalimpong.
- By Driving– The National Highway 31A is the road that leads to Kalimpong.
Further Read: Best Places to Visit in Asansol
