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Kalimpong is a hill station situated in the district of Kalimpong in the state of West Bengal. Situated at an altitude of about 1250 m above sea level on the foothills and valleys of the lesser Himalayas, Kalimpong is located on a ridge overlooking the Teesta River. The name Kalimpong originated from the name Kalenpung, which means Hillock of Assemblage in the Lepcha language. This name gradually changed to Kaleebung and then to Kalimpong. Kalimpong is a favourite tourist destination because of its pleasant climate and proximity to many other popular tourist destinations like Kalimpong, Mirik, Siliguri and Kurseong. Unlike the more crowded Kalimpong, Kalimpong is a peaceful tourist destination and is loved by many tourists because of this.Kalimpong, now a bustling town, was once part of the Chogyal Kings of Sikkim. In the 19th century, Kalimpong passed into the hands of the British, and thus became part of West Bengal.Till the Indo-China war in 1962, Kalimpong was a major trade centre on the Jalep la route to Tibet.A lot of trek and tour operators offer adventure and ecology trips in Kalimpong. The 3-day trek to Samthar plateau will take you through some beautiful mountains and various traditional Lepcha and Bhutia villages. The Thakurbari Temple is 100 years old and the presiding deities are Shiva, Vishnu and Lakshmi. The Mangal Dham temple complex was built as a memorial to Shri Mangal Dasji Maharaj. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and features scenes from his life. The Tharpa Choeling Gompa is reached after a 40 minute walk across the hills. Thongsa Gompa is the oldest Gompa and was built in 1692. The Zang Dhok Palri Phodang monastery of Kalimpong is home to numerous monks who impart spiritual knowledge to the people who come in search of spirituality and peace. This Buddhist monastery also houses a large collection of rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, mandalas, vibrant frescoes, and Thangkas. Kalimpong is an important orchid growing area. Horticulture is an important vocation in Kalimpong that contributes to its economy. The orchids of Kalimpong are famous and there are nurseries in Kalimpong that export Himalayan grown flower bulbs, tubers and rhizomes to other parts of the world.The other major tourist attractions of Kalimpong are Deolo Hill, Pedong Monastery, Kalimpong Arts and Craft Centre, Neora National Park, and Galingka.River Rafting on the Teesta River is a recently developed popular adventure activity. The best time to visit Kalimpong is from September to November.Kalimpong exports traditional handicrafts, wood carvings, embroidered items, copper wares, bags, purses, scrolls, Tibetan jewellery and artefacts.The nearest airport to Kalimpong is Bagdogra near Siliguri, located about 80 kilometres away. The closest railway station to Kalimpong is New Jalpaiguri Get more information on Kalimpong Tour, hotels in Kalimpong
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