Must have heard of a place designated as “The Land of White Orchids?” That’s the nickname given to the amazing Kurseong. An amazing town in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal invites visitors from all around the country every year. Where some people visit here during their summer vacations, others wish to indulge in some adrenaline-rushing activities. But what remains the eternal truth is its unfathomable beauty.
Kurseong is an active hill station that is located close to Darjeeling (hill station) and Siliguri- two other amazing hill station destinations.
12 scintillating attractions of Kurseong that you must visit on you next trip
1. Kurseong Tourist Lodge
Kurseong Tourist Lodge, also referred to as Roudra Chhaya Tourism property is unexpectedly the first place you should head to. This tourist lodge is located on the NH-55 and is classified as a mid-range property for people to stay. The well-appointed rooms, pristine surroundings, and charismatic view from the balcony intrigue people to stay here during their trip.
You get all the important and some additional facilities in the lodge but more importantly, it is a great place to stay. You can either book a room at the hotel directly from the website or when you visit here.
2. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum
Coming onto your next attraction during the Kurseong trip; you have the popular Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum. There is no entry fee for the museum but the visiting hours are between 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. So, plan your trip accordingly. This amazing attraction of Kurseong was known to be a residence of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This museum is constructed in his younger brother’s house.
One of the prime attractions of the Kurseong is home to a lot of remains and belongings of Netaji Bose. You can come here for a couple of hours and explore the entire museum to get insight into his life.
3. Eagle’s Crag
You must be wondering why a viewpoint is called Eagle’s Crag? The reason behind this is the appealing surroundings. The viewpoint is at an altitude from where you get the complete view of the surroundings and sunsets or sunrise is simply spellbinding. For those who want to visit here, they will have to pay a small amount of INR 5 at the checkpoint and enter to reach the Crag.
Not only can the visitor view the entire Siliguri plains but also get some amazing pictures of Kanchenjunga. The visitors have two options to reach here, one they can trek to the viewpoint and second they can hire a taxi for the same. The choice is yours.
4. Tea Gardens in Kurseong
Having the influence of the nearby North-Eastern areas, Kurseong also has huge estates of tea gardens. This is one of those romantic attractions/ places where you can visit for some serene time, a romantic nature walk, and more. There are a few factories on the outskirts where they give a chance of tea tasting to the visitors.
If you are here for some aromatic time you can visit the Makaibari or Ambotia tea estate for some amazing time. These are two of the most popular estates where there are guided tours. If you want to take the fully conducted guided tour including the tea tasting session, then you might have to give 500 INR for the same.
5. Dowhill Road
Do you think you are brave enough to visit a spooky place? If you follow all the necessary things, you will not get any hiccups. Yes, all of these things might give your spine some jitter but this is all the truth. As amazing and wonderful it may look, Dow Hill Road is also a haunted place in Kurseong where people are not supposed to travel at night.
In the daytime, Dow Hill Road is a mesmerizing landscape with thick forest and tea plantations but on the contrary, it becomes spooky during the night. There are a lot of beliefs that the locals have about this attraction but you don’t have to worry about any of those things during the daytime.
6. Paglajhora Falls
When we talk about the most flourished or most visited tourist attraction in Kurseong or even in West Bengal for that instance, Paglajhora Falls gets a spot in the list. This waterfall offers an unfathomable beauty where a tributary flows down the cliff with dense and lush forest on both sides. It is located in the North Bengal region and has exotic flora and fauna on offer.
If you are an adventure junkie, avid bird watcher, or nature lover; this place will surely keep you engaged for a long time. Needless to say how amazing the diversity here is.
7. Goomtee Tea Estate and Retreat
Goomtee Tea Estate, Hill Cart Road, Near Mahanadi Railway Station (World Heritage Darjeeling Railway), District Darjeeling, Darjeeling, West Bengal is the exact location of this attraction. If you are visiting Kurseong and are looking for a luxury staying option then this resort can be an ideal spot for you. With well-appointed rooms, it also gives all the visitors access to a huge area of tea plantations. You can not only take a walk but enjoy the aroma of tea.
The resort also offers scrumptious tea to the visitors as complimentary. So if you are a tea lover, this might be your chance to sip some amazing tea during your stay.
8. Deer Park, Kurseong
Deer Park is also an amazing attraction in Kurseong and for those who are willing to spend some time here, you will have to pay INR 5 as an entry fee. The timing of the park is 10 AM – 4 PM and you will surely enjoy your time here.
Do not miss out on visiting here if you are taking a trip to Kurseong with your family. Do ensure your timings and manage the trip along with it. Enjoy the sight of varied species of deer, rare birds, and animals.
9. Ambotia Tea Estate
The tea estate is situated at an altitude of 2,050 to 6,800 feet above sea level and covers an area of approximately 437 hectares. This is the Ambotia Tea Estate which is a very popular attraction of this town. It is renowned for producing high-quality Darjeeling tea, which is highly valued for its unique flavor and aroma.
The tea garden was established in the early 19th century and is currently owned by the Goodricke Group Limited, a leading player in the Indian tea industry. The tea estate employs a large number of workers, who are primarily from the local communities. The workers are provided with housing, healthcare, and educational facilities by the tea estate management.
10. Forest Museum
The Forest Museum of Kurseong is situated in a heritage building that was once the residence of the British Raj forest officer. The museum houses a wide range of exhibits, including preserved specimens of rare and endangered species of plants, animals, and birds found in the Himalayan region. Visitors can also see various types of timber and forest produce, as well as traditional tools and equipment used by forest officers.
The museum is dedicated to showcasing the rich biodiversity of the Himalayan region and the importance of forests in maintaining ecological balance. One of the major attractions of the museum is a life-size diorama of a forest ecosystem, which provides visitors with a glimpse into the complex web of interdependence that exists between different species in a forest
11. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum is a popular tourist attraction located in the town of Ghum. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history and heritage of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the “Toy Train”.
The museum is situated in the historic Ghum railway station, which is the highest railway station in India. The museum houses a wide range of exhibits, including photographs, maps, and artifacts related to the construction and operation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Visitors can also see a collection of antique steam engines, coaches, and other railway equipment, which provide an insight into the evolution of the railway over the years.
12. Giddapahar Seti Mata Temple
The Giddapahar Seti Mata Temple is situated on a hilltop and offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The temple complex consists of a main shrine, surrounded by smaller shrines and prayer halls. The main shrine houses the idol of Seti Mata, which is made of white stone and is believed to be over 200 years old.
Conclusion
Being a hill station, Kurseong receives a huge number of visitors every year. If you too are planning on the same, make sure you visit here during summers. The above-given places are just a handful of them because of what beauty this place has on offer, you can only understand it when you visit here. But if and when you plan your trip here, ensure that you have listed all the above-given places for an overall amazing time.
Read Also: Places to visit Darjeeling | Places to visit in Kalimpong | Places to visit Gangtok
