Kurseong Travel Guide

Taking a trip to the same place every other person is going to can get a bit dull. However, Kurseong is a less explored calm hill station settled in between the foggy hills of Siliguri and Darjeeling, yet to gain the attention of many tourists.

If you’re looking to visit a place with pleasant weather and not-so-chilly winters, then this is where you should go. During the spring season, the hilly slopes of Kurseong are carpeted with blooming white orchids. Which is exactly why the Lepcha people gave it the name “Kharsang” - meaning Land of white orchids. Apart from its numerous natural wonders it also has many man-made gems worth seeing. And, to help you get around Kurseong like a pro, we have the ideal travel guide for you.

History And Culture of Kurseong

It’s always good to know the history of a place to get a better understanding of its culture and traditions. So, let’s go back in time and learn about the history of Kurseong. The Lepcha people were the original inhabitants of the place and named it “Kharsang”, as every spring the valleys lit up with the bright “Kurson-Rips” - small white orchids. In the past, Kurseong was a part of the Kingdom of Sikkim. But, around 1780, the Kingdom of Nepal conquered Kurseong and its neighboring areas. Later when Nepal lost during the Gurkha war, Kurseong was once again taken back by Sikkim.

Apart from this, Kurseong’s history has also witnessed the presence of various famous personalities. The American writer, Mark Twain, and the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore spent some time at this gorgeous place. Swami Vivekananda’s sister Nivedita, was also one among others to settle here in Kurseong. In fact, in 1936 Subhash Chandra Bose came to Kurseong to seek temporary residence in Kurseong. And, there exists a museum dedicated to him that exhibits the pictures, documents, and articles of the time of his house imprisonment by the British. Hopefully, when you visit the place you too will be inspired to write or create like the many writers that fell in love with the beauty of Kurseong.

Also Read: Darjeeling Travel Guide

How To Get To Kurseong

By Air

The best way to get to Kurseong by air is to arrive at the Bagdogra Airport. From the airport, you can take an hour's cab ride to reach the quaint town of Kurseong. There are also buses that go to Kurseong from the airport but because of the frequent stops it takes nearly 5 to 6 hours to reach. If you don’t have the time and also have too much luggage it’s better to take a cab.

By Train

Kurseong is easily accessible from two nearby railway stations - the Siliguri railway station at a distance of 49 km and the New Jalpaiguri railway station which is 56 km away. Once you get to the nearest railway station, you can then take a nice breezy cab or bus ride to Kurseong.

By Road 

Another way to get to Kurseong is to take the road. Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are the two main entry points to access Kurseong by road. You can either take a cab all the way to Kurseong or look for a bus service. Although it can be tiring, you can also consider getting your own vehicle and if you are accompanied by people who know to drive, you can even switch places during the journey.

Also Read: 7 Things To Do In West Bengal For A Memorable Holiday

Getting Around Kurseong

If you’re seeking a much-needed rejuvenation at a quiet hill station, Kurseong is the place for you! Kurseong is famous for its gushing waterfalls, dense forest covers, temples, and Buddhist gompas. Most of these gems are contiguous, while some are scattered a little away. So, the best possible way to explore these places is to have a vehicle for your sightseeing. On some days you can spend your day walking through the streets of Kurseong, appreciating the agreeable weather and pristine surroundings. 

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Go Check Out

Eagle’s Crag

One of the most popular attractions is the Eagle’s Crag viewpoint offering stupendous views, located just a km away from the town of Kurseong. From this mountain top, you can get a complete view of gorgeous valleys and mighty mountains covered with nature’s green carpet. Reaching this viewpoint is an adventure in itself, you will have to take a mini trek and come across many crisscrossing water streams on your trek up. 

Once you’re on the top, you can climb up the spiral staircase of the observatory there, called ‘Netaji Kothi’, and enjoy the breathtaking view. On your way out you can also visit the nearby vibrant Makai Bari tea garden. Visiting the Eagle’s Crag will indeed be a refreshing and memorable experience you’ll take back home.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum

Dedicated to the respected leader, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is a museum in Kurseong. This was where the British confined Netaji for a 7-month period. However, none of this stopped him from contributing to the nation’s affairs. If you’re someone who loves to learn about Indian history, you would enjoy visiting this museum. It has all the pictures, documents, and articles bookmarking various important historical events of the time. 

During your visit to the museum, you can also check out the nearby attractions like the fabulous views from the Giddha Pahar viewpoint and know about the historical trains of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Dowhill Eco Park

Situated on the top of the craggy Dow Hill, is a beautiful park called the Dowhill Eco Park. Also known as the deer park, this place is famous for sighting deers and other rare animals and birds. Other than the wildlife, the eco-park is also popular for housing a variety of flowers and other plantations. 

Surrounded by the pine trees of the forest, the view of Dowhill in the winter mist dotted with British Raj houses will surely remind you of a movie scene. If you’re up for an adventure you can take a trek up to Dowhill or you can take a cab all the way up. Missing out on this location even when you got the chance to visit Kurseong, would be truly heartbreaking.

Paglajhora Falls

If you’re a big-time nature lover, you wouldn’t feel like leaving here as Paglajhora Falls is a haven to many stunning sights. With many waterfalls gushing out of the cracks of the hill, it is divided into two parts - Upper Paglajhora and Lower Paglajhora. Apart from its serene waterfalls, it is also known for its dense vegetation and the abundance of birds of various species. Take a trek up or down the hill, witness the natural beauty of Paglajhora falls, and capture pictures of rare bird species. Monsoon truly brings the best of these places, however, be careful as it is prone to landslides during this time.

Tingling View Point

Sandwiched between three sprawling tea plantations, is the Tingling viewpoint. Being a popular tourist attraction near Mirik, it is also known as Kawlay Dara Viewpoint. From this viewpoint, you can look at the thrifty tea gardens, the lovely Mirik lake, and the cool and laid-back valleys of Mirik. Spending some time with your loved ones, watching the sunset or sunrise, and soaking in the cool atmosphere would be so satisfying. And, make sure you don’t forget to click some cool pictures of the colorful skies.

Rohini Park

This one is an astounding park in the town of Kurseong. Originally, the place was only known for the tea gardens and was later used as a route to connect Siliguri and Kurseong to make road travel convenient. The well-maintained, wide, and artistically curved roads are one of a kind. Rohini park is widely spread and its pure beauty never ceases to amaze the tourists passing by. It has now become a major spot for tourists to enjoy a picnic. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of some elephants while driving through this spot.

Also Read: Best Places To Visit In Kurseong

FAQs

How Many Days Do You Need In Kurseong?

Kurseong is a quaint little town near Darjeeling, dotted with many beautiful places of interest like Eagle’s Crag, Rohini Park, Paglajhora falls, and many others. And, to cover all these places and to relish the pleasant weather of Kurseong you need at least 2 to 3 days.

Why Is Kurseong Famous?

Nestled in between the popular hill stations of Siliguri and Darjeeling, is the quiet hill station of Kurseong. It is popular for its sprawling tea gardens, rubber plantations, valleys full of white orchids, waterfalls, Buddhist gompas, and many other natural and man-made beauties.

Does Kurseong Have Snow?

Yes, it does snow in Kurseong. During the months of September to November it snows around 16 days in a month and from December to February, it snows 1 or 2 times in a month.

Is Kurseong Higher Than Darjeeling?

With an altitude of 2,045 m is Darjeeling and Kurseong is at an altitude of 1,482.55 m. So, Darjeeling is at a higher altitude than Kurseong, and hence the climate in Darjeeling is much colder than Kurseong.

What Is The Meaning Of Kurseong?

Originally known as Kharsang - as named by the Lepcha people, it actually means “Land of White Orchids”. And, the name rightly justifies the phenomenon of the blooming of small white orchids during spring every year.

Is Kurseong A District Of West Bengal?

No, Kurseong is a municipality located in the district of Darjeeling of West Bengal.

How far is Kurseong from Darjeeling?

Kuseong is 32 km from Darjeeling and it will take you about 1.5 hours to reach Darjeeling if you're traveling by road.

Can Kanchenjunga be seen from Kurseong?

Yes, you can view Kanchenjunga from Kurseong. Apart from Kurseong, the Kanchenjunga can also be seen from Siliguri and Darjeeling.