Home | About Us | FAQ | Site Map | Contact Us
 
    Google Search   www Indo Vacations      

About Sikkim

 » Sikkim Information
 » History of Sikkim
 » Tour Experience

Physical Features

 » Physical Features

Sikkim People

 » Sikkim People

Culture of Sikkim

 » The Holy Structures
 » Symbols of Sikkim

Sikkim Festival

 » Sikkim Festival

Sikkim Tours

 » Sikkim Tour
 » Sikkim Intensive Tour
 » Sikkim Trekking Tour
 » Sikkim Biking Tour
 » Sikkim Jeep Safari
 » Sikkim River Rafting
 » Sikkim Wildlife Tour

More...

Sikkim Hotels

 » Sikkim Hotels

Sikkim Monasteries

 » Sikkim Monasteries
 » Rumtek Monastery
 » Enchey Monastery

Sikkim Adventure

 » Sikkim Adventure
 » Helicopter Service

Sikkim Trekking

 » Sikkim Trekking

Sikkim Wildlife

 » Sikkim Wildlife
 » Flora and Fauna

Sikkim Places

 » Gangtok
 » Kalimpong
 » Phodong

More...

Sikkim Car Rental

Car Rental

 
 

Kalimpong, Sikkim

 

General Information about Kalimpong
Area:
1,056.5 square kilometers
Population: 40,143
Altitude: 1,250 to 1,600 meters
Rainfall: 2030 mm (80 inches)
Season: All year round
Clothing: Tropical in Summer with a light sweater and rainwear. Woolens in Autumn and Winter.
Language: English, Nepali, Hindi and Tibetan.

Information on Kalimpong

Kalimpong, Kalimpong Information

Kalimpong is the best hill station for the family holiday or a honeymoon trip. Kalimpong is the largest of the four sub-divisions of the district of Darjeeling in the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, an autonomous body within the State of West Bengal. Kalimpong is a small sleepy hill resort and lies in Darjeeling District. With a population of about half a lakhs, it is ethnically and culturally similar to Darjeeling. Kalimpong lies between the plains of the Dooars and the hills of Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas. Nestling in the lush green mid ranges of the Himalayas, this hill station of "the Raj", has an incredible stunning backdrop of towering snow capped peaks and offers a quiet and relaxed holiday against the backdrop of Kanchenjunga. Kalimpong means the fort of the Kings minister (Kalim = Kings Minister, Pong = fort). And this name came got established when this area was under the Bhutanese, who occupied it in 1706. Before that Kalimpong was a part of Sikkim. Bhutan retained Kalimpong till 1865 after which it along with the Doors was ceded to British India. Due to its ideal location at an average of 1250 meters above mean sea level, there are mild weather conditions throughout the year. Kalimpong has a moderate climate ranging from between 15 to 25 Degree Celsius in Summers and 7 to 15 Degree Celsius in Winters. From spring getaways to getting wet in the summer monsoon rains, from watching the rice harvest in autumn to experiencing the joys of sharing a blanket in the winter chill, Kalimpong is fast emerging as the ultimate holiday destination in the Eastern Himalayas. English, Nepali, Hindi and Tibetan are the main languages which are spoken in Kalimpong. One important facet of Kalimpong as a holiday destination is it’s year-round salubrious climate. Whether in spring, summer, autumn or winter the visitors will find Kalimpong a pleasant and safe place to spend a holiday. The hub of all activity centres around the Chowrasta and the Bus Stand in the heart of the town which abounds in good as well as cheap hotels and restaurants. During the days yonder, it used to be the hub of trade activity of India with Tibet and the trade route used to be through Pedong, Rongli in Sikkim and then the pass of Jelepa on the Sikkim – Tibet border but Chinese invasion in 1962 put an end to all that.

History of Kalimpong
Kalimpong was once a part of the kingdom of Bhutan and the headquarters of a Bhutanese Governor. The word 'Kalim' means King's Minister and 'Pong' means the stronghold of the King's minister. It is also called 'Kalibong' or the black spur by the hill people. 'Kalipong' in local dialect stands for 'Kaulim' which is a fibrous plant which grows in abundance in this region. It is said that the local tribesmen or Lepcha used to organise field sports while not engaged in agricultural pursuits. IN 1865, after loosing out to an armed British intervention, Bhutan ceded the territory of Kalimpong to British India. After the Anglo-Bhutan War, it was merged with Darjeeling, and became a sub-division of Darjeeling in 1916, and developed as a hill station. It flourished as a wool trading centre with Tibet till 1950, when the Chinese took over Tibet. As Tea garden opened up in nearby Darjeeling people from Nepal migrated in search of a livelihood. Some spilled over to Kalimpong. The British missionaries came in during the late 1800’s and left a legacy of good schools, high educational standards, charitable institutions and architectural styles reminiscent of the English countryside. Not to mention their love for flowers and gardening. People from mainland India came in to settle in Kalimpong and brought with them their skills in entrepreneurship and trade. Over the years Kalimpong slowly developed into a trading center from which all trade to and from Tibet passed. This continued till the mid sixties when Tibet ceased to exist as an independent nation and the mule trains wound up. It continues to be part of Darjeeling District, and is now an attractive tourist and educational centre.

Culture of Kalimpong
In Kalimpong, Buddhism rubs shoulders with Hinduism and Christianity. Gompas, churches, temples, monks and missionaries coexist in a jovial society. Kalimpong offers Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, Christian Churches, flowers, orchids and exotic flora, old colonial bungalows, scenic view points and the panorama of snows. This exotic town of beautiful people, mystical and enchanting, with a rare ethnic blend of hill people, has a tradition of hospitality from the days of the mule caravans of olden days. As a melting pot of such diverse and rich cultures of the people of Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, mainland India, the British and the Lepchas (original inhabitants of the region), Kalimpong evolved its own unique blend of a way of life from cuisine, culture, etc.

 

Flora in Kalimpong
Kalimpong sub-division is more or less covered by forests and terraced agricultural land where rice, corn, millet and seasonal vegetables are grown. Herbs and spices like ginger, cardamom and turmeric are also grown as a cash crop by the villagers. From tropical foothills to the alpine regions, around 4000 flowering plant species including more than 400 species of orchids, trees, ferns, mosses, grasses and medicinal plants are represented in the region. Floriculture is another major economic activity in Kalimpong. There are various flower nurseries, many of world renown, producing plants for export and the home market. Cacti, Succulents, Orchids, colourful houseplants and bulbs in many varieties are some of

Flora in Kalimpong

the popular family of plants. Kalimpong flower nurseries present a permanent year-round flower show.

Tourist Attractions in Kalimpong
The tourist attractions in Kalimpong are Thongsha Gompa, Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Monastery, Tharpa Choling Monastery, Nature Interpretation Centre, Mangal Dhaam, Colonial Bungalows, Dr. Graham's Homes Campus, Kalimpong Arts and Crafts centre, Dharmodaya Vihar, Kali Mandir, Gauri Pur House. There are some panoramic snow views of Kanchenjunga, Siniolchu, Paunhari, Lama Anden, Chola, Nathu La, Jalep La and Gymochen peaks from Durpin Dara and Deolo View Point. Some of the popular places like Lava, Lolaygaon, Rikkisum Pedong and Rishap are situated within the Kalimpong sub-division and are well connected by road from Kalimpong town. The quaint bustling bazar is a wanderers delight and contains Buddhist Thankas, hand beaten silver, Bhutanese weaves, Chinese lamps, Lepcha daggers, masks.
More...

Accommodation in Kalimpong

Heritage hotels, star rated hotels, mid-range hotels, budget hotel, guesthouses and home-stays in Kalimpong offer lodgings for visitors in all categories.

How to reach Kalimpong
By Air:

The nearest airport is located at Bagdogra, about 80 kms. from Kalimpong. Bagdogra is presently connected to Delhi, Guwahati and Calcutta, by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.

By Rail:

The nearest railheads are Siliguri 66 kms (metre gauge) and New Jalpaiguri 80 kms (Broad gauge), which connect you to all parts of India.

By Road:

Kalimpong is connected with New Jalpaiguri, Bagdogra, Siliguri, Gangtok and Darjeeling. Kalimpong is 50 kms. away from Darjeeling through Peshok and Teesta. From Siliguri it is also possible to reach Kalimpong directly taking the road to Sikkim till Teesta from where the route bifurcates for Kalimpong.

Note: A foreigner with the permit for Darjeeling cannot automatically visit Kalimpong. The permit has to be got endorsed at the Foreigners Registration Office in Darjeeling or alternatively at the office issuing the permit. Foreigners are normally permitted to visit Kalimpong for three days.

 
 

Home  |  About Us  FAQ  Site Map  Contact Us

 

Sikkim-Tourism
Copyright ©, Indo Vacations®. All Rights Reserved.