Kalimpong, Hill municipality in West Bengal, India
Kalimpong is a municipality in the state of West Bengal, India, perched on a narrow mountain ridge at 1,247 meters (4,091 feet) elevation and surrounded by forested hills and distant peaks. Roads wind past stone houses, shops, and places of worship, while the air stays cool and clouds often gather between the valleys.
The British administration took control of the area after the war with Bhutan in 1864 and developed it as a trade hub between India and Tibet. Missionaries later founded schools and churches, while traders and farmers from surrounding valleys settled here.
Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples dot the forested slopes, becoming gathering points during religious festivals when communities come together for prayers and offerings. Small markets display handwoven fabrics and carved wooden items, while elderly residents sit on the steps of prayer halls and speak in a mix of local languages.
Visitors reach the town via National Highway 10 from Siliguri, with buses and shared taxis running regularly between larger towns in the region. The best time to visit is between October and May, when clear weather allows distant views of the mountains.
Several nurseries have been growing orchids and gladioli for decades, with trucks transporting flowers to other Indian cities. Gardeners select plants by hand and pack them in moist soil before the long drive to the lowlands.
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