Kalimpong

State :

West Bengal

Climate :

Kalimpong has a climate that is very mild unlike Darjeeling which becomes extreme cold during the winters.

Significance :

Spectacular Natural Surroundings

Kalimpong is one of the best tourist destination in West Bengal and is situated near Darjeeling. Kalimpong is famous of its handicrafts and monasteries along with lovely orchids and other flowers that grow in a large number here.

Situated at an altitude of about 1250 meters and Kalimpong has a mild climate, ranging between 16 to 27 Degrees Celsius in summer and 5 to 15 Degrees Celsius in winter. The best season to visit Kalimpong is from March-June and September-November.

History :

Kalimpong was part of Sikkim, before coming under the control of Bhutan in 1706, later it was ruled by the Britishers and now one most spectacular travel destination in the state of West Bengal in India.

Connectivity :

• By Air - The nearest airport from Kalimpong is at Bagdogra which is 95 kms away. Bagdogra is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati and Kolkatta by air.
• By Rail - New Jalpaiguri railway station is the nearest from Kalimpong that is 85 kms away.
• By Road - 95 kms from Bagdogra, and a over 100 kms each from Darjeeling and Gangtok, Kalimpong is well connected to the other Eastern Hill-stations.

Highlights of the City :

Kalimpong is a perfect tourist destination, providing a number of scenic trek routes, beautiful scenery and fishing experience in Teesta. Festive time is the best time to be in Kalimpong. December and February are the months when the Kalimpong Fair and Pedong Agricultural Fair takes place in December and February respectively.

• Monasteries - Monasteries at the Kalimpong are the added tourist attractions. Tharpa Choling Monastery and Zang-dog Palrifo Brang are some of the monasteries that one can visit. Tharpa Choling Monastery at Tirpai belongs to the Gelugpa Sect or the Yellow hat sect of lamas.
• Gouripur House - Gouripur House is another popular tourist spot about two kilometers from Kalimpong. Gouripur House was also visited by the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Things to Buy in Kalimpong :

The Kalimpong arts and craft center in the heart of Kalimpong is the best place to shop for some beautiful handicraft items. The center was established in the year 1897 by a Scottish national, Mrs Katherine Graham. Things that you can shop at the center include purses, tapestry bags, embroidered bags and pictorial wall panels.