Top 10 Things to do in Kalimpong

The sleepy little town of Kalimpong is a popular hill station in West Bengal. Located on the foothills of Siwalik Range, the town is founded at the confluence of two hills - Durpin Hill, and Deolo Hill. The River Teesta flows through the valley, separating Kalimpong from Sikkim. This clean and beautiful hill station is one of the major tourist attractions of the region and receives a huge amount of visitors during the summer season. The meaning of Kalimpong is open to several interpretations. One theory suggests that several tribesmen gathered here to engage in summer games. Whereas, another theory points out that the name of the town comes from a fibrous plant, Kaulim, which grows in abundance in the region. <br> Before the annexation of Tibet by China, the area was an important gateway for trade and commercial activities between two countries. Currently, tourism is an important source of income for the region and almost everyone is connected to it in some way. <br> Kalimpong is an ideal destination for a weekend or a long weekend trip, where one can refresh and recharge their batteries.

Apart from the pleasant and charming weather, Kalimpong is a culturally diverse town. Different hill communities like Lepchas, Gorkhas, and Tibetans have been living in the region for centuries. This hill station is emerging as an important educational hub for the nearby regions. Students from as far as Bhutan, come here to receive their higher education. <br> Being an important tourist spot, Kalimpong is a shopper’s paradise. Tourists can buy traditional handicrafts, copperware, tapestry work and Tibetan jewelry from the local markets.

Until the 18th century, Kalimpong was once the part of the Kingdom of Sikkim. Later on, the region was taken over by Bhutanese Royal Family. In the latter part of the 19th century, the British took over the region and ruled it till India’s independence. After 1947, the region was merged with the state of West Bengal.