Set
in beautiful wooded mountains Kalimpong is a remote hill station about 80 kms
from Darjeeling is known for its beautiful orchids. The Tharpa Choling monastery
has a library of Tibetan manuscripts and thankas which can be visited. Kalimpong
also offers pleasant hikes and walks through rice fields and tea fields around
the town.
Kalimpong's attractions include
three Buddhist monasteries, spectacular churches, an excellent private
library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan language and culture, a
sericulture centre and a fine view of the surrounding countryside.
Kalimpong is an important orchid-growing area and flowers are exported
from here to various countries. The Sri Ganesh Moni Pradhan Nursery and the
Udai Mani Pradhan Nursery are among the most important in the area. There's
a flower festival in Kalimpong in October.
Kalimpong has a well
laid-out golf course near the Durpin Dara Monastery. The monastery was built
in the mid-1970's at Durpin Dara and consecrated by the Dalai Lama. The view
from here is breath-taking. The nine-hole golf course at Senchal ( near
Darjeeling) is one of the highest in the world.
HOW TO GET THERE:
By Road: Kalimpong is well connected to the other major East Indian Himalayan
destinations of
Gangtok
and
Darjeeling,
both of which are less than 3 hours away.
By Air: Bagdogra (80 kms away) is served by regular Indian Airlines and
Jet Airways flights from
Calcutta
and
Delhi.
By Rail: New Jalpaiguri (77 kms away) is the nearest mainline
rail station for Kalimpong.
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India Travel Hotel.
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