Kurseong is a hill station located near the Darjeeling and Siliguri districts of West Bengal. Its name is derived from ‘Kurson-Rip’, which means a small white orchid hence Kurseong is also known as the ‘Land of White Orchids’. Kurseong has been blessed with a favourable temperature throughout the year making it the perfect destination for nature lovers. Not just nature, however, things to do in Kurseong also include exploring the stunning tea gardens, and fruit orchards. Apart from this, heritage lovers can also explore museums and other historical places to visit in Kurseong, making it a great vacation spot.
If you want to make the most out of your time in this beautiful hill station in West Bengal, Kurseong, visit between March and May or between September and December when you will be greeted with clear skies, beautiful fields covered with, exquisite flowers and seemingly endless landscapes.
Plan your Kurseong sightseeing with these places to visit
1. Tea estates and gardens
You can’t think of places to visit in Kurseong, and then not think of its famed tea gardens. Kurseong has its fair share of three gardens and estates Including Balasun tea estate, peaceful tea garden, karbia tea garden etc with - Makaibari or Ambootia being their biggest tea estates. These tea estates offer visitors proper tour guides and tea-tasting sessions where they can also meet workers and get to know about the whole tea plantation process.
2. Eagle's Crag View Point
Eagle’s Crag viewpoint is a sunrise and sunset point which offers you a magnificent view of the whole Kurseong valley and its lush green fields, and tea gardens surrounded by beautiful mountains hence, a paradise for photographers. Visiting this viewpoint is one of the most popular things to do in Kurseong, and visitors come here to find peace in the lap of nature and your time will pass away like thin air.
3. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum
Located opposite the Giddapahar viewpoint, it is a very well-maintained wooden house where Netaji used to live in the mid-1930s as a prisoner of the British government. What makes this an important site in the places to see in Kurseong because all the letters written by him and various pictures of him and his family are preserved here. So if you are interested in history then this place is a must for you.
4. Bhangzang Salamander Lake
This lake is famous and one of the best places to visit in Kurseong because of the presence of an endangered species of Himalayan black salamanders which can be best seen during monsoon. Tourists can enjoy the serene views and amazing wildlife as this lake is surrounded by deep forests and lush green fields which adds to its beauty.
5. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum
When planning your itinerary for Kurseong sightseeing, you can’t miss the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum This museum is filled with several pictures, articles, artefacts, equipment and rail parts used in the original Darjeeling Himalayan railway tracks that were laid in 1880. It also comprises a hand-operated printing machine used at that time and makes for a fun outing especially if you’re a family looking for things to do in Kurseong
6. Sittong
Sittong is a group of villages located in Darjeeling and parts of Kurseong where you can enjoy beautiful tea gardens, great waterfalls, exquisite landscapes, a variety of bird species and its orange orchards. It also offers mesmerising views of the Himalayan peaks including the Kanchenjunga. While it is a bit away from Kurseong, it makes for one of the most fulfilling things to do in Kurseong. Nearly 30 km away from Kurseong, Sittong is a perfect picnic spot and makes for a great day trip.
7. St Mary’s Hill
St. Mary's Hill is a village 4kms away from the Kurseong railway station. It is a quiet and serene place that is one of the best places to visit in Kurseong, where people can come to take a break from the hustles of their daily lives. Its main attractions are the St John Berchman’s Church and the Grotto of the Virgin Mary which is a replica of the original located in Lourdes in France.
8. Chimney Strawberries Garden
Chimney Strawberries Garden is one of the most exciting things to do in Kurseong, where the offerings include but are not limited to strawberries. These gardens offer some exotic fruits like various kinds of berries, passion fruits and many more. This place is perfect for a day picnic where you can enjoy with your whole family.