Kalimpong is one of the best tourist destination in West bengal.In local dialect Kalimpong means ''Black spur'', as per the Lepchas kalimpong means ''Ridge,where we pray''.
The first thing that strikes the traveler visiting Kalimpong is its quiet atmosphere. The peaceful ambience that pervades is heightened by the presence of monasteries and churches across the town.
It became a centre for Scottish missionary activity in the late 19th century, and Dr Graham's orphanage and school is still running today.
Kalimpong is a bustling and rapidly expanding, though still relatively small, bazaar town set among the rolling foothills and deep valleys of the Himalayan at an altitude of 1250m. It was once part of the lands belonging to the rajas of Sikkim, until the beginning of the 18th century when it was taken from them by the Bhutanese. In the 19th century it passed into the hands of the British and thus became part of West Bengal.
One can roam around the town, or take a tour or go trekking. There are some really interesting places to visit such as Gauripur House (home of the great Bengali poet Ravindra Nath Tagore), Mangal Dham a temple, Deolo the highest point in Kalimpong offering a guest house with spectacular vistas. Biking is possible as the the traffic is not intense and its really enjoyable to view the beautiful scenery, and the kind hearted people living in the outskirts.
Kalimpong's attractions include three monasteries, a couple of solidly built churches, an excellent private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan language and culture, a sericulture, orchid nurseries and fine views over the surrounding countryside.
THARPA CHOLING GOMPHA :
Established in 1922,belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in the Tibet in the 14th century and to which the Dalai Lama belongs. It's a 40 minute walk from town; take the path to the right off KD Pradhan Rd, just before the Milk Collection and Extension Wing Building.
THONGSA GOMPHA : It is the oldest monastery in the area and was founded in 1692. The present building is not so old - the original was destroyed by the Gurkhas in their rampage across Sikkim before the arrival of the British.
ZONG DOG PALRI FO-BRANG GOMPHA :
5 km south of the town centre at the end of the ridge, was built in the mid - 1970s at Durpin Dara Hill and was consecrated by the Dalai Lama. There are impressive wall paintings in the prayer room, and a rare three dimensional mandala upstairs. Mountain views are good from Durpin Dara Hill. This area is a big military camp, but you are free to walk or drive through it.
DR. GRAHAM’S HOME:
It is one of the most known tourist spot. Graham’s Home is one of the finest school of Kalimpong and is internationally famous. It takes less than an hour to walk from the center of the town. Dr. John A. Graham, a Scottish missionary founded this Institute in 1900. This Institution built on the slopes of kalimpong's highest hill, Deolo Hill north of the main township was established as an orphanage-cum-school for destitute Anglo-Indian children and also to educate the children of tea workers. It is now a renowned regular co-educational school situated in a 500-acre campus.
This unique educational institution started with six orphans. Now well over 1200 boys and girls are accommodated in small cottages in a picturesque setup. It has its own dairy, poultry and bakery. Every year in the month of May the school organizes “Mayfair”. Visitors are welcome any time of the year. There is a huge playground a rare scene in the hills. The valley of the school surrounded by the conifer forests under the warm glow of sun with birds and colorful flora everywhere will impress nature lover. The whole surrounding or setting will enthrall you to a new dimension. The play field the setting of hostel and the school is worth visiting.
DEOLO HILL: The highest point within Kalimpong municipality area, situated at an elevation of nearly 1914 meters, that provides a 360-degree excellent panoramic view of the town. With Teesta Valley below and the snowy ranges in the distant horizon, the place is one of the beautiful sites around Kalimpong..
The Khanchendzonga massif is to the north, beyond the hills of Sikkim that rise from the river valleys. A fantastic bird’s-eye-view of Kalimpong town & Durpian hill can be had from here. There is a Hotel here with a regular restaurant catering to visitors. Children can avail of pony rides here. One can spend several hours at this spot picnicking or just lazing out & soaking in the view & pure mountain air.
Dello is a location on the edge of a Ridge with spectacular Views. It is used as shooting locations for more than 50 movies. It is a large plateau with dry landscaped open lawns with conifers around its edges and a beautiful well maintained lawn and garden. It is situated on higher altitude than the rest of the town; hence there is an awesome view of the Teesta Valley on one side, the Sikkim hills on the other and Kalimpong town itself. The region surrounding Deollo is a birding site and next to it is the Hanuman temple, the Hindu temple, Army Golf course, statue of Lord Buddha and the Sherpa view point.
CACTUS GARDEN: Kalimpong is famous for its nurseries which export exotic flowers like Amaryllis Lilies, Anthuriums, Roses, Gerbera, Dahilias, Gladiolias as well as Orchids and Cacti. Some important nurseries are: Brindaban Garden Nursery, Ganesh Mani Pradhan Nursery, L.B.Pradhan Nursery, Pinewood Nursery, standard Nursery, Shangrila Garden Nursery, Twin Brothers Nursery, Universal Nursery and others.
HANUMAN MANDIR :
Hanuman Mandir has recently been constructed with a gigantic statue of Lord Hanuman and close to it is the Durga Mandir or the Hindu temple, upon a little hillock and the Army Golf course. Another place of worship is the impressive statue of Lord Buddha in the lotus position has been consecrated with a landscaped rock garden in front. It is situated on higher altitude than the rest of the town; hence there is an awesome view of the Teesta Valley on one side, the Sikkim hills on the other and Kalimpong town itself. All this places are nice places to take photographs.
This national park is spread over an area of 88 square kilometers, full of trees like rhododendron, conifers, silver Fir, juniper forest and associated ground flora, moss filled oak forests with dense bamboo thickets makes this forest a unique site for the nature lovers. The vegetation in the region presents a diverse variety of rare Himalayan species like Red Panda, Himalayan Black bear, birds like Pheasants, Orioles, Owls, Partridges, Swifts, Golden-throated Barbet, Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo, Lesser Cuckoo, Brown Wood Owl, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Dark-throated Thrush, Flycatcher, White-browed Bush Robin, White-tailed Robin, Woodpeckers and the list goes on.
