Just a 2-hour drive from Darjeeling, Kalimpong is among the most popular hill stations in West Bengal. This quaint town boasts an emerald landscape cocooned in the foothills of the mighty East Himalayas. Kalimpong is home to numerous colonial-era edifices and immemorial monasteries. Additionally, a plethora of exotic flora and fauna call it home, including over 300 varieties of Orchids, endangered Red Pandas, and even the Himalayan Black Bear. With a plethora of activities treating you to adventure and tranquillity, Kalimpong is a veritable traveller’s paradise.

Places to Visit in Kalimpong 

• Durpin Monastery- A 14 min drive from Kalimpong city centre, explore the intricacy and elegance of Buddhist architecture and murals.
• Pine View Nursery- A veritable paradise for gardening enthusiasts, this tranquil nursery houses a range of local and exotic flora, including a vast collection of cacti, just 2.5 km from the city centre. 
• Thongsa Gompa- Built in 1678, this is also called the Bhutanese monastery and is surrounded by 220 prayer wheels. Just a 14-min drive from the city centre; it is said to be the oldest monastery in Kalimpong. 
• St. Theresa Catholic Church- Visitors can explore this unique church resembling a Buddhist Gompa. With beautiful murals and inscriptions gracing the walls, the church doors bear carvings that resemble Tashi Tagye (8 auspicious symbols of Himalayan Buddhism.) 
• Tharpa Choling Gompa- Only 3 km from the town centre, this monastery dates back to 1912 and houses a museum, where ancient texts and scriptures are stored. 
• Himalayan Handmade Paper Industry- A small workshop for making paper traditionally, visitors are welcome to see the entire process. They produce insect-resistant paper, which is utilised in block-printing Buddhist scriptures. It is a 15-min walk from the city centre. 
• Lepcha Heritage Museum- Within walking distance from the city centre, the Lepcha Museum was built to preserve Lepcha tribal culture through its relics and daily use objects, comprising musical instruments, handicrafts, and more. 
• Morgan House- A 12 min drive from the centre, the Morgan House, dating back to the 1930s, offers visitors a glimpse of the archetypal architecture from the colonial era. 

Top Experiences in Kalimpong 

• Hike up the Deolo Hill- This is the highest point in Kalimpong and is famed for panoramic views of the Khangchendzonga. At the summit, a recreational park awaits you, comprising of exotic flowers, water reservoirs, and some food stalls. 
• River Rafting in the Teesta- For all the thrill seekers, an exhilarating river rafting experience in the Teesta River awaits, starting at Melli Bridge and going up to Geilkhola. 
• Climb up the Durpin Dara Hill- At the top of Durpin Dara Hill or Binocular Hill, you can catch the ethereal panorama of snow-capped Himalayan peaks in Sikkim, the Teesta River, and Jalepla Pass. This is where you’ll find the Durpin Monastery as well. 
• Hiking in the Neora Valley National Park- An excursion to the Neora Valley National Park involves hiking on the winding nature trails, surrounded by exotic flora and fauna, with an occasional dip in the numerous waterfalls in the area.
• Shopping at Teesta Bazar- Visitors can purchase a range of articles and handicrafts from China, Tibet, and Bhutan at the Teesta market. They can also indulge in the local cuisine across several eateries. 

Restaurants/Cafes to Visit in Kalimpong

• Gompu’s- A minimally decorated restaurant serving heartwarming Asian delicacies, including momos, gyathuk (noodle soup), and more.
• Lin Restaurant- This hole-in-the-wall eating joint is known to serve delicious and mouth-watering thukpas and momos. 
• Zakhang Bhutanese Restaurant- As the name suggests, this restaurant serves authentic Bhutanese dishes, including juma (blood sausages) and kewa datshi (curry made with potatoes and cheese).
• Noodle House- This small eatery serves a range of dishes across Southeast Asian cuisines, like Indonesian, Korean, and Japanese. These include sushi, baos, yakitori (skewered chicken), kimbap (Korean seaweed rice rolls), and more.
• Cafe Kalimpong- This cafe is famed for offering tasteful Himalayan coffees and snacks, alongside gorgeous views. 
• Art Cafe- This quaint cafe, known for its bohemian decor and terrace seating, offers a selection of coffees and artfully decorated pizzas, pastas, and more.