Kalimpong
Kalimpong is a charming village nested on the Eastern Himalayas in the northern part of West Bengal. At an elevated height of 1,250 meters, this town offers a tranquil ambience, mesmerizing view of the Himalayan ranges, rich culture and a calm weather. The town is rich in cultural heritage; with the British colonial influence and the diverse ethnic backgrounds residing in this town such as Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha communities. The culture is reflected in the food, festivals and art. Kalimpong was once a part of Sikkim, Bhutan and then later handed over to the British. As a result, Kalimpong has a rich history which includes the Victorian era buildings, monasteries that date back to the 1800s and old Buddhist centers for monks from Sikkim, Tibet and Bhutan. This town is well known for it's horticulture, particularly the flower market. This region boasts a wide varieties of flowers and nurseries which attract botanists and florists from all across the globe. Agriculture is one of the main sources of local economy here and traditional farming methods is still in practice to this day. For people who love adventure, this small town offers a list of activities for the thrill seekers such as rafting, paragliding, fishing, camping, trekking, hiking, bird watching, etc. Popular tourist attractions include the Delo Hill that offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges including Mount Kanchenjunga, Zang Dok Palri Phodang monastery that house many old and rare Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts and Thongsha Gumpa, one of the oldest monasteries from the 1800s. As this town was an important trade route between India and Tibet, the market are a treasure troves of traditional handmade crafts such as thangkas, woven textiles and wooden handicrafts. Due to it's calm climate, this hill station makes a perfect holiday destination and a must visit place for people seeking peace, adventure or historical learnings. In 2017, Kalimpong was officially titled as the 23rd district of West Bengal.
