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It is the peace,
serenity and the healthy climate of Kurseong, that attracted many
a great person to this place. Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore and the
great composer Atul Prasad Sen got inspiration for some of their
famous works around Kurseong. Sister Nivedita, the great disciple
of Swami Vivekananda made Kurseong her home.
The rich flora of Kurseong town and
surroundings is fascinating, and it has aptly been described as a
'Botanists' Paradise'. With the first showers in May, after a
relatively dry winter and spring, the river beds glitter in the
light of the sun like silver lines, while the sunlight and dappled
shadows play hide and seek on the higher slopes of the valley.
Sometimes on a clear day, one can see the clouds piling up in the
plains and advancing slowly but relentlessly to cover the
foothills.
Perhaps the prettiest
page in the Kurseong fairytale is a ride on the famous Toy Train
as it chuffs valiantly along its route from Darjeeling to Siliguri
and New Jalpaiguri. The Toy Train was commissioned in 1881, a
shiny blue and silver steam locomotive whose novelty has still not
worn off after 120 years! The Toy Train is miniature – a tiny
engine that heroically pulls 4-5 compartments on a narrow gauge
rail. The train braves hills and valleys, weaving around
waterfalls, rivers and forests on its 8 ˝ to 10-hour journey.
Apart from the
charm and beauty that nature has bestowed upon Kurseong, the
tourism infrastructure in Kurseong is fast developing. Besides
that, the people of this place are joyous and fun loving and
welcome visitors with warmth and hospitality.
Kurseong has many good boarding schools of
which the Dow Hill Public School has a beautiful campus. To name a
few others, there is Goethal's Memorial School(boys), St. Helen's
Convent(girls), Victoria Boys School, Himali Boarding School(co-ed),
St.Anthony's School(coed), St.Alphonsus School(co-ed) and St.
Joseph School(girls).
How to Get to Kurseong:
Foreigners visiting Kurseong must possess an Indian visa. No special
permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Kurseong.
However, necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when
required.
LOCAL
TRANSPORT: Private taxis, jeeps
and landrovers are available for local sightseeing in and around
Kurseong.
Buses, cars, tourist
mini coaches and taxis are available for transfer of passengers
between Kurseong and Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra.
AIR
CONNECTIONS: Bagdogra at a distance of 60 km(
2 hours drive).
RAIL
CONNECTIONS: Kurseong is
connected to New Jalpaiguri( 59 km) and
Siliguri(51 km) by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. From there, visitors may proceed to
Kurseong by bus or taxi or
land rover.
ROAD
CONNECTIONS: Kurseong is connected
with all weather metal road with Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kalimpong,
Mirik, Gangtok etc.
Where to stay in Kurseong:
You can take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in
Kurseong.
The various hotel packages offer the best of facilities. The
well-furnished rooms place most of the comforts at your feet.
WBTDC's Kurseong TOURIST LODGE
Hill Cart Roads
Phone: 0354-44409
Accommodation: Double rooms( Rs. 450 ). Double rooms with
verandahs( Rs. 500 ).
Restaurant: Indian and Chinese
HOTEL AMARJEET
Near Petrol Pump, Hill Cart Road.
Phone: 0354-44678
Accommodation: Double rooms( Rs. 300 ). Triple rooms (Rs.
700)
Restaurant: Indian and Chinese
DELHI DURBAR
PRADHAN GUEST HOUSE
Where to Eat :
For the vegetarians, Shyam's Restaurant, Jeet Restaurant and
Batloi's are the best. Other visitors can take their pick from a
range of way side restaurants in the town offering momos, thukpha and
other meals.
Places to visit in and around Kurseong:
Eagle's Crag - This popular landmark is
one km uphill from Kurseong Railway station is
Eagle’s Crag
from where
amazing views of the Teesta River and the
dense evergreen forest
of Darjeeling valley.
At the summit there is a Tourist complex with a Garden and
observatory Netaji Kothi, "Once a summer home of Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose but now a Ruined Bulding".
Quite a few trekking trails lead off into the
surrounding mountains and forests. You can see the Khangchendzonga, Jannu and Kabru peaks as they loom up in the
distance. Tea
Estates -
A tea plantation town, the rich green tea estates like Ambotia,
Castleton, Springside, Makaibari, Jogmaya, Ghoomtee stretch across
the hillsides.
St.Mary's Hill -
Nearly 4 kilometers from Kurseong Railway Station
surrounded by deep woods lies an elegant mansion which houses the
Eastern Forest Rangers' College (EFRC). Earlier the campus was the
sight of St. Mary's seminary, the first such seminary of the east
of Suez. A statue of Jesus and Mary and the newly built Jt. John's
Church, an example of modern architectural excellence, are also
located on the same hill.
Kettle Valley Picnic Spot
- Outing at Kettle Valley Picnic Spot at Dilaram Tea Estate on the
banks of the river Rinchengtong offers you a rare opportunity to
play in its crystal clear waters in the backdrop of snow-clad
mountains.
Dow Hill - The Deer Park,
the Forest Museum, the mini amusement
park and the water reservoir all set amid
moss-laden conifers
of Dowhill is worth a visit.
A one kilometre ascent takes one to the top of
Dow Hill where a well-developed tourist complex is situated.
Standing here on a clear day, one can have a sweeping view of the
plains in striking contrast to the hills around. All around are
the ubiquitous tea plantations. The Castleton Tea Estate, which
produces the world's most expensive tea, is nearby.
Ambotia Shiva Mandir & Gidhapahar Mandir
- If you are
religious and would like to pay a visit to the temples you can
visit the Ambotia Shiva Mandir
and the Gidhapahar Mandir in town. |
