Kalimpong is a hill station in the lush green mid-ranges of the Shiwalik hills (Lower Himalaya) in the Indian state of West-Bengal. Located at an elevation of 1,247 meters it is the headquarters of the Kalimpong subdivision, a part of the District of Darjeeling. The Himalayas tower over in the distance with an incredible stunning backdrop of snow capped peaks. A major forward base of the Indian Army is located on the outskirts of the town.

Kalimpong was originally called ka-ley-bong. The most widely known origin of the name Kalimpong is derived from Kalon="Assembly/Stockade of the King's Ministers" and pong = “Stockade” in Tibetan. People from the hills also call the area Kalibong ("the black spurs"). Kaulim, a fibrous plant found in profusion in the region is another assumed reason for the name.

Until the mid-19th century, the area around Kalimpong was ruled by the Sikkimese and Bhutanese kingdoms. It was annexed by the British in 1865, after which it flourished for wool trade with Tibet & was developed as an alternative hill station town to Darjeeling. The proximity to popular tourist locations in the region has made Kalimpong an important tourist attraction. On south of Sikkim and 50km east of Darjeeling, travellers find Kalimpong quieter and friendlier than Darjeeling. The jeep ride from Darjeeling is truly spectacular as you pass through endless tea fields and valleys under brightly colored prayer flags. Mt Kanchenjunga is never far out of sight at 8591 m. elevation. The town centre is located on a Ridge, connecting two hills Deolo hill and Durpin hill. The river Teesta flows in the valley below and separates Kalimpong from the state of Sikkim. The commonly used Languages are Nepali, Hindi and English. The 3 prominent religions of the region are Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.

The best time to visit Kalimpong is April-June or September to December and the best mountain view is from mid September to mid December. It has a moderate climate ranging between 15°C to 25°C in summer and 7°C to 15°C in winter. Light woolens in summer and heavy woollens in winter are the recommended clothing. The Shiwalik hills, like most of the Himalayan foothills, have steep slopes and soft loose topsoil leading to frequent landslides in the monsoon season.  Umbrellas and raincoats are always useful to carry in this part of the country.

Kalimpong is the perfect place to come for adventure sports. One can enjoy white river rafting on Teesta River. Trekking is another outdoor activity for adventure lovers. It is also famous for its flower market, especially the wide array of 300 species of orchids. Tourists fond of flowers (particularly Orchids) can visit numerous nurseries here. Also housed are several Buddhist Monasteries which hold many rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures. Kalimpong is also well known for its many educational institutions. The area around Kalimpong is classified as an ecological hotspot and is one among the three ecoregions in India.

The Red Panda, Himalayan and Asiatic black Bears, clouded Leopard, Siberian Weasel, barking deer and Himalayan Tahr are just some of the fauna found near Kalimpong. Also very famous is its flower production and apparently accounts for 80 percent of the total gladioli that is produced in India.

Foreigners visiting Kalimpong must possess an Indian visa. No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Kalimpong. Necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when required.

There are no direct flights or trains to Kalimpong. The nearest airport is the Bagdogra airport and the nearest Rail route is New Jalpaiguri. The place is well connected by roads.

By Air:
Kalimpong does not have an airport of its own. One may reach here after flying to Bagdogra. Flights to Bagdogra can be booked at the Indian Airlines or Jet Airways office. The nearest airport, Bagdogra, is about 80 km away. It takes 3 hours to reach Kalimpong from Bagdogra.

By Rail:
The nearest railway stations is New Jalpaiguri  69km away located on the outskirts of Siliguri. New Jalpaiguri is directly connected by rail to all important towns and cities in India. If road journey is preferred, then one can opt for a bus, a taxi or hire a jeep from New Jalpaiguri.

By Road:
Kalimpong is well connected by a network of roads with all important cities and nearby towns (Darjeeling, Siliguri etc.) The excellent road links make traveling through the beautiful countryside an exhilarating experience. Kalimpong is located off the National Highway 31-A which links Siliguri to Gangtok

Local transport:                                                                                                          
Taxis/Jeeps/tourist mini coaches for exclusive or shared use are most commonly available and the most popular means of transport. They can easily navigate the steep slopes in the region. Taxis are available for transfer of passengers between Kalimpong and Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra and also for sightseeing at fixed rates and may be reserved through Tourist Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, Kalimpong.

There are a number of religious sites in Kalimpong apart from its breathtaking views of valleys and the Himalayas. The Catholic church (The MacFarlane Church), Zong Dhog Palri Fo Brang monastery  (wonderful views of Kalimpong on Durpin hill and also house of splendid Tibetan wall paintings), Gauripur House (home of the great Bengali poet Ravindra Nath Tagore), Mangal Dham (sprawling over an area of two acres and built in 1993 considered to be one of the most splendid temples in India), Deolo hill (the highest point in Kalimpong from where water is supplied to the houses), Thongsa Monastry (the oldest monastery in the area), Central Sericulture and Flower Nurseries  (breeds silk worms and produces high quality silk), Kalimpong Arts and Craft Center (authentic Lepcha and Bhutanese embroidered work on clothing and purses is a recommended buy) and Tharpa Choeling Monastery(belonging to the yellow hat sect) are just few of the very interesting places to visit in Kalimpong. Durpin Dara, Parnami Mandir, Swiss Dairy are again few other places one can visit. In October, Kalimpong hosts an annual flower festival which is definitely worth a look.

Tourists concerned with the need for protecting the environment and global warming should visit the Nature Interpretation Center where one can take a look at the dioramas that depict the ill effects of man's disregard for Nature.

The Main road is the place to shop. It’s at the 10th Mile Market or the Raja dorje Market. One can buy handicrafts, souvenirs, jewelry, and woodwork. Also R.C Mintri road, full of marwadis, is where one can’t resist from purchasing.

One of the best places to stay is the government tourist lodge Morgan House. One can get reservations from Calcutta and stay in this sprawling mansion from the 1930s. Some of the other good places are Himalayan hotel, Kalimpong Park hotel, Soods Garden & hotel Garden Reach.

Kalimpong is best enjoyed as a combined tour of the north-east, Sikkim/West-bengal. It is not recommended as a stand-alone visit.