Kurseong is a hill station which lies near Darjeeling. The land of white orchids is a scenic 1.5 hrs or probably 30 Kms drive from Darjeeling. Many of you may not be familiar with Kurseong and think this might be another small roadside village on the way to Darjeeling. Well many years back it was actually a small hamlet, but over the years it’s growing into a bustling township. Today it’s a sub division of Darjeeling district. Spread of Kurseong is much more than what it may seem. Nature plays a vital role in making it an attractive tourist destination. The name derives from the Lepcha word “kursonrip” referring to the small white orchid prolific in this area. It is because of that it is also known as “the land of White Orchids”.
Castleton tea estate
It is located at 1458 m above sea level and enjoys a mild climate throughout unlike the chilly winters of Darjeeling. It is basically known for its premium tea gardens, which include Castleton, Makaibarie, Ambotia and Goomtee. Apart from being a tourist paradise Kurseong has a few historic significance as well. Some of the famous poems and songs of Guru Rabindranath Tagore were composed in Kurseong. Sister Nivedita, the great disciple of Swami Vivekananda made Kurseong her home. It is learnt that Mark Twain spent some time in Kurseong in 1885 and Fazlul Haque the Prime Minister of undivided Bengal also stayed here.
Major Tourist Attraction in Kurseong
1. Eagle’s Crag
This is a lovely view point and a garden on top of a hill. You can actually take the narrow lane next to Kurseong station and walk up to Eagle Craig. It will take about 25 minutes of walk. The view point and the park land is located at the end of the road which is the highest point on this mountain.
2. Dow Hill
Dow Hill
Another popular tourist site in Kurseong, Dow Hill has lot of attractions to offer. Top of the hill houses a tourist complex. The view from the top is enchanting with the backdrop of the snow covered hills and the greenery of the valley below. Tourists can catch a glimpse of many tea estates from Dow Hill. The Castleton Tea Estate, which is known to produce the world’s most expensive tea, is located close to Dow Hill.
3. Ambotia Shiv Temple
Ambotia Shiva temple is another tourist attraction in the Ambotia tea estate. It is another most popular temples in Kurseong. The temple is well known, not just for its religious significance, but also for its scenic location. You can also see a beautiful orange orchard close to the temple.
4. Forest Museum
Forest museum is also in the Dow Hill and is overseen by the forest department. You will get to know the types of animals that inhabited the forest area here in the past when you visit the museum.
