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Thongsha Gompa

 
Thongsa Gompa, also renowned as Bhutanese Monastery, was established in 1692 and is the oldest monastery situated in the region of Kalimpong. The presently seen Gompa is the renovated one, after the demolition of the original Gompa by the ravage of Gurkhas in Sikkim. The original Gompa was built under the Bhutanese rule and it is believed that this was built under the direct guidance of Bhutan King.

Buddhists monks offer everyday prayer here and this place is a perfect place for mediation. Many activities aiming towards the uplift of spirituality are undertaken in this Gompa. Tourists are allowed to visit every part of the Gompa.
 

Tharpa Choling Gompa

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Tharpa Choling Gompa, built in 1926 is situated at Tirpai Hill and belongs to the Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Gompa contains idols of the Bhaisajya, Sakyamuni and Maitreya Buddhas(past/present and future). The tiny hall is decorated with images of flayed animals and humans. The Gompa is a 40 minute walk from the main town, past the top of Tripai Road which is off KD Pradhan Road.
 

Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Gompa

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The Zong Dog Palri Fo Brang Gompa was established in 1970s personally by the Dalai lama himself. The monastery contains the Kanguyar in 108 volumes which was brought by the Dalai Lama when he first fled Tibet. It is located five kms south from the city of Kalimpong. The wall paintings in the Gompa are beautiful, impressive and it is traditional Tibetan art. The prayer hall is full of these paintings all around and there is a three dimensional mandala in the first floor of the prayer hall. The view of the peaks and valleys of the Himalayas are excellent and eye catching.

Nature Interpretation Centre

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Nature Interpretation Centre in Kalimpong, a great idea on work, provides the great information on effect of human activities in the Earth’s environment. This centre is established and managed by forest department. This centre carries out information collecting and research on flora and fauna in the hilly forests of Kalimpong and also watches the human interaction with these natural gifts. It highlights the need for soil conservation, dwindling of forest wealth and also extinct animals and birds.

The museum in this centre is praise worthy. It encloses information, pictures, photographs and books on ecology and environment. This is open on all days from 10 am to 4 pm.
 

Army Golf Course

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Army Golf Club, an 18 hole golf course, is located in a picturesque hillside in Kalimpong. This club thrives with golf activities of Indian Army officers everyday and is meant for keeping fit the army majors for high altitude activities and soldiering.

This golf club is an excellent spot for scenic views and photography. The well maintained landscapes with lusting green lawns attract many tourists to this place. The undulating hilly terrains make the golf club a challenging field. One can enjoy the enchanting of the Durpin monastery from the golf club ground and one can get excellent angles of monastery to photograph the amazing beauty of the monastery..

St. Teresa Church

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The largest Roman Catholic Church in Kalimpong is the St. Theresas church. This church was built by the local craftsmen of Kalimpong and it resembles a Gumpa rather than a church. It has wood carvings and wall paintings in the doors and walls which depict scenes from the bible but in which personalities resemble that of Buddhist monks. There is a lot of Tibetan influence in the architecture. All the paintings, drawings, arches and carvings have Mongolian features and are not gothic structures. This a standing example of fusion architecture in the late 19th century in India. People interested in modern art can visit this church.
 

Nurseries

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The climate of Kalimpong is ideal for the cultivations of horticultural plants. Kalimpong is the only place where many commercial flower nurseries are situated. One should visit the beautiful laid out 'Universal Nursery' about 3 km from the town, on the Kalimpong-Teesta road to have a glimpse of the fabulous Cactus, Orchid, Amaryllis (only in April and May), Succulents and many other flowers.

The name of Kalimpong has become synonymous with flower nurseries many of which abound here. Gladioli, orchids, cacti, amaryllis, anthuriums, roses, gerberas, dahlias and other exotic plants are grown in a number of flower nurseries in Kalimpong, mainly for export. The weather and the soil of Kalimpong are very conducive to the growth of orchids, roses, gladioli and dahalias.
 

Deolo View Point

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Deolo View Point is situated at the top of Deolo Hill at 1914 metres, overlooking the town of Kalimpong. The top of which is the highest point in Kalimpong. There are excellent views of snow peaks, Kalimpong town and the Teesta Valley. Two big reservoirs here are the source of water supply to the town of Kalimpong below.
 

Durpin Dara

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Towering over the town of Kalimpong is the Durpin Hill, the top of which offers breathtaking views of rolling plains of Siliguri and the Tista and Rangit valley. On the northwest horizon can be seen the panoramic Kanchendzonga range and on the east the Chola range on which lies the Nathula pass. On the southern horizon looms the Tiger hill. On the Durpin Dara Hill is nestled a beautiful golf course with gently rolling slopes.
 

Kalimpong Arts and Crafts centre

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Situated near the bus stand in the heart of the town, this institute produces and sells a wide variety of handicrafts which includes wall scrolls, dolls and masks. Founded in 1897 by Mrs. Catherine Grahm, its purpose was to promote and propagate local handicrafts as well as provide employment. It is good place to purchase souvenirs to take back home.