Kalimpong, the little town tucked away in the folds of the Shiwalik Hills, West Bengal, might not have managed to be featured in the list of the most popular tourist spots in India, but that doesn’t mean it has any less to offer than the tourist hotspots in the country.

The River Teesta forms the picturesque foreground of this pretty town protected by the majestic Himalayan range and flanked by lush greenery, which was established during the British colonial era. Deolo Hill, the highest point of Kalimpong, offers a breathtaking panorama of the beautiful town, including the magnificent Kanchenjungha, the highest mountain in the globe.

One of the first things that comes to mind when the name Kalimpong is mentioned is its vast treasure-house of flowers. Rare and beautiful varieties of flowers and orchids grow in abundance, beautifying the region and also contribute significantly to the economy of the same. Kalimpong also boasts of numerous nurseries. Kalimpong is also the habitat of wildlife species including Asiatic Black Bear, Barking Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Pangolin, Clouded Leopard, Siberian Weasel, Red Panda, Goral, Gaur and birds like Monal Pheasant, Orioles, Maynas, Besra, Hornbills, Swallows, Eurasian Sparrowhawks, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Owls, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Sunbirds, Black Baza and the Kalij Pheasant. Wildlife enthusiasts would thoroughly enjoy themselves at Neora Valley National Park. Pleasant climate and a cozy, serene ambience make tourists fall in love with this town.

Tourists to Kalimpong can’t afford to miss out the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery sitting proudly on Durpin Hill, consecrated in 1976 by Dalai Lama. Also worth a visit is the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery which contains 108 volumes of the Kangyur (sacred Tibetan texts). The Lepcha Museum showcases the ethnic treasures of the native community of Kalimpong.

Though there are several multi-cuisine restaurants in kalimpong, during a trip to kalimpong, it is absolutely compulsory to try the local delicacies. Momo (pork, beef, chicken or vegetables wrapped in flour and floating in a sort of soup) definitely tops the list. You can also try Wai-Wai, a sort of noodles eaten dry as a snack or cooked. Thukpa, noodles in soup, is also very tasty. And of course, wash it down with aromatic Darjeeling Tea.

All in all, if you are looking for a quiet, rejuvenating holiday spot, Kalimpong is your best bet.