Why

Kurseong

Offers a Joyful Toy Train Ride.
The White Orchid And Orange Orchid Hub.
Jungle & Tea Estate Trek.
Great Historical Backdrop.
One Of The Most Haunted Places in India .

Kurseong:

Kurseong is a seraphic hill station entrancingly stowed on the ridge of the Queen of Hills. Located at an altitude of 1458m(4864ft) and 32 km away from Darjeeling. The origin of the name is quite imprecise. However, as per the Legend, the name is derived from the Lepcha locution "kurson-rip"(which means small orchid). As the valleys are dotted with little white orchids, or perhaps the term for a stick made out of a local cane. This east Himalayan destination is embellished with beautiful tea gardens, forests and year-round vegetation on the hill slopes. You can get magnificent views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the meandering rivers Teesta and Mahananda flowing down to the lower plains.

Kurseong embodies many eventful pasts in its hushed mountains. Around 1780 it was conquered by the Nepalese. Then came the Gurkha War, which the Nepalese lost and restored it to Sikkim(The 1817 Treaty of Titalia). In 1835 it was handed over to the British by the King of Sikkim. It was a small village then. However, it gained importance when the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway(Toy Train service) was extended to Kurseong in August 1880. It is one of the oldest municipalities, established as an independent Municipality in 1879, however, it did not become a Sub-Division until 1890, when the District of Darjeeling was formed. Kurseong has also received some eminent personalities in the past, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore(who composed several of his poems here), The great disciple of Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita settled down here, Mark Twain also spent some time in the place in 1885. And in 1936 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was confined for a couple of months by the British in a Bungalow at Kurseong. The bungalow is now a well known Museum with many original furniture and other belongings of Netaji.

Kurseong(Dow Hill) is a beauty and the beast, as it is considered one of the most haunted and mysterious places in India. The death road, a headless ghost, the haunted school are few of those famous paranormal stories that can be heard. Geologically, as Kurseong faces the western part of the hills, it offers a great sunset view through a glorious mix of clouds turning crimson and yellow and red and eventually dark as the sun sets in the hills. As it connects Siliguri and Darjeeling by road and train, you may hear the whistling sound of the steam engine from your stay. Which will help you to create your beautiful travel stories.

Tour packages of Kurseong

Things to do in Kurseong

Eagle’s Crag

Eagle’s crag is a viewpoint situated on the top and is the highest point on this mountain(located at a distance of 1km from the main market area). There is a large water reservoir here that supplies water to Kurseong town. The tower is situated amidst the well-maintained garden, where you can sit and relax. It has always been a favourite place for local young couples. Being on top of a hill and a bit isolated, this place offers a nice romantic ambience. A narrow lane next to Kurseong station(walking distance about 25 minutes) leads up to Eagle Craig. Walk up the concrete stairway to the garden which is decorated with hedges and flowering plantations. There is also a watchtower on one side of the garden. The views of a panoramic vista of hills and river stream enclosing Kurseong Look alluring from the top(on a clear day). There is a concrete altar where a Khukri (traditional Nepali knife) is placed on it. It serves as a monument which was constructed by the erstwhile DGHC in memory of the Gorkhas who lost their lives in 1988 agitation in the hills. It remains open throughout the day, from morning till sunset. There is no admission fee.

Dow Hill

Kurseong is spread across several hills of mountains. Dow Hill is one of them. A large section of the hill is covered with dense forest and the locals will vouch on the fact that there are leopards in the forest. While no lives have been lost, the leopards seem to be targeting the sheep and goats. The hill is also famous for its many attractions including forest museum, excellent views, historic schools, parklands etc. However, Dow hill is more famous for being the most haunted places in India.

Dow Hill Park and Dow Hill Museum

Dow Hill park is located on top of Dow Hill overlooking the lush tea gardens. The fenced park takes about 10 minutes by car from the centre of the town. You can trek uphill through the thickly wooded pine trees is an added charm of visiting this Park. Earlier this was known as Deer Park as many deers could be seen here. However, with deforestation, such sights are now rare and hence the change in name. In the adjacent forest, there is a large fenced area where you can still see some deers. But venturing into the forest is not allowed, you can only look for the deers from outside the fence and often they can be seen moving around. There are hedges and other different kinds of plantations. There is a gazebo in the park where you can sit and relax. There is also a small children playground with swings and slides. The park remains from 10 am to 4 pm. Closed on Thursdays. There is a large two-storeyed museum in Dow Hill. Being located in the periphery of a protected area, it is Maintained by the forest officials the museum showcases the information about the flora and fauna in Kurseong. For children, there is a recreational park with swings, slides and they can also observe deer in their semi-natural habitat. It has been recently renovated and restored. Next to it is the Forest Training School. You can visit there as it remains open daily.

Dow Hill Forest Rest House

Close to the Forest Museum in Dow Hill is the Forest Rest House. You can book this rest house through the forest department in Kurseong and stay amidst nature and surrounded by dense Dhupi forest. It is worthy of staying here as you can hear the continuous chirping mantra of the known unknown birds. There is a lovely garden at the rest house with flowering plantations, pine trees etc. You can also enter the Rest House premises and enjoy the garden and view of the forests(in case you didn't get any reservation at the rest house).

Dow Hill Girls School & Victoria Boys School

Dow hill Girls school is a heritage boarding school on Dow Hill with lovely colonial architecture. It was built during the British era when Governor Sir Ashley Eden had set up this school in 1879 for children of government officers. Initially, it was a small school for boys only. Later the boys’ section was shifted to Victoria School and it became a girls school. Apart from its attractive architecture, the school is also located in a scenic setting with a wonderful view of the Himalayan range and surrounded by lush vegetation. The school runs under the state government. The Victoria boys school was also built during the British colonial time. Very well known for its quality of education. It is also run by the state government and has both boarding and day students. One of the great features of the school is its large playfields(the largest in Kurseong) for the students. There is a chapel in Victoria School premises just next to the entrance. However, It has been lying closed for many years.

Giddapahar View Point & Seti Mata Temple

Giddapahar is a viewpoint, located a few kilometres from the town (takes about 15 minutes by car) on the Hill Cart Road towards Siliguri. You will need to enter through a gate and then climb the stairs. On a clear day, the view of the mountains, the snow peaks (including Kanchenjunga) and the valley is alluring. A beautiful view of the road winding down side by side with the toy train track can be enjoyed from here. This viewpoint remains open throughout the day(day time). In this area, there is a Hindu temple of goddess Durga. The idol is an ancient carved stone, located at a higher level from the road. It's considered very sacred and quite popular with the locals.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum is a museum consecrated to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum (the greatest freedom fighters India can ever have), located in the Giddapahar area. This museum is also known as Netaji Institute for Asian Studies where research and studies are conducted on Himalayan languages, society and culture. The building was originally the property of Sarat Chandra Bose & Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Where, between 1933 to 1935, Sarat Chandra Bose and subsequently Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose were kept here by the British under house captivity. The tranquil and serene ambience with lush greenery and gardens all around make this place more beautiful. Here you can see many original furniture used by Netaji including beds, chairs, tables etc. From here Netaji Subhash Bose wrote his speech which he delivered as the president of Haripura Congress in 1938. The museum also stores many articles, letters and artefacts that reflect the story of this leader. You will be required to take off your shoes before entering the museum. No photography is allowed inside and no admission fee.

Ambootia Shiva Mandir

Down from the Ambootia tea estate(about 20 minutes)through a steep dirt road and the kelly green forest, there is the famous and one of the most revered temples. This is a Hindu temple of Lord Shiva. The idol (i.e. the Shiv Linga) is an old dead trunk of a tree. It is believed that this temple is wish-fulfilling and one who offers prayers, gets blessings of Lord Shiva that helps solve one's problems in life. Another strange phenomenon dead trunk keeps growing with time.

St. Mary's Hill

About 3kms from Kurseong town towards Darjeeling, this is a beautiful hill area with a church perched on top (St. John's Church). There are statues of Jesus and Mary here nearby. With lush green vegetation and lovely views, the ambience is wonderful. Walk further up to the Forest College. There is also a prayer spot here.

Tea Estates in Kurseong

There are some sprawling tea estates with lovely gardens on the mountain slopes that produce black, green, white Darjeeling tea around Kurseong town and not usually part of a standard sightseeing tour. You will need to pay extra to the driver to get there, but it's worth the money. Some tea estates span across an area of 350 hectares and some of them are pretty old(some of them have been operating since the British time). You can get a wonderful view of Kurseong township from the tea gardens here. Some of them are Ambootia Tea Estate, Makaibari Tea Estate, Castleton Tea Estate

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum

This is one of the three DHR museums of Darjeeling district which is located in Kurseong station premises. The museum houses many treasures, historical artefacts and exhibits of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, how the toy train was created to overcome the steep mountain gradients, pictures of the loops & engines, and parts of the original rails as well as machinery and accessories used to set up the tracks. You will need to first visit the station office and buy the entry ticket.

Toy Train ride between Kurseong and Darjeeling

From Kurseong station, you can make a day trip to Darjeeling. One of the best ways to do so is by taking a toy train from Kurseong station. There are two trains every day between Kurseong and Darjeeling. One leaves Kurseong in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Both take about 3 hours to reach Darjeeling and then return. You can also take the train one way (up or down) and use a private or shared taxi the other way for saving time. It only takes a little over one hour by taxi between Kurseong and Darjeeling.

Trekking in Kurseong

If you plan to stay for a couple of days in Kurseong, you should not miss out on trekking through the lush green Tea Estate trekking, forests of pines and chestnut trees on mountain slopes, explore the flora & fauna of the area and also its villages. There are several trekking trails in Kurseong, some of which take only a few hours and considered light treks, and some are day-long hikes and can be quite extensive. St Mary's Hill to Dilaram(takes around 4-5 hours), Singell and Ambootia Tea Estate(takes around 6-7 hours), TrekKharay Khola to Mahanaday Trek(takes around 5-6 hours).

Kettle Valley

Flanked along the riverbank of Rinchengtong is a scenically blessed hamlet called Kettle Valley of Dilaram. It is located at a distance of 10km from Kurseong. With the astounding view of a luscious tea garden, Kettle Valley has emerged as a favoured picnic spot in Kurseong.

Haunted places in Kurseong

Kurseong is not just a small hill station known for its beautiful vistas, orchid gardens, forested hills, and tea plantations, it is also home to a death road, a headless ghost, haunted school, and countless real ghost stories. Dow Hill of Kurseong is one of the most mysterious places in India. The hill can be called as the place of beauty and the beast. Day or night, paranormal activities never cease here. Tourists visiting the place feast their eyes on the natural beauty of the destination, and their ears on the horror tales associated with the haunted sites abounding here. The fainthearted should certainly avoid the ‘death road,’ which lies between the Dow Hill Road and the Forest office. The local woodcutters have had a harrowing time watching the headless ghost of a young boy walking and disappearing into the forest. People have reported cases of being followed and constantly watched over by an unseen entity. Some have even seen a red-eye peering at them. There is even a ghost of a woman dressed in grey. Here in the woods of Dow Hill where numerous unnatural deaths seem to have taken place in the past, is situated the 100-year-old Victoria Boys High School, which are pervaded by the dark vibes of the haunted forest. The locals have heard loud whisperings and the sound of footsteps when the school remains closed during the winter vacations from December to March. So, acquaint yourself well with the eerie side of Kurseong, and steer clear of the prohibited territories after dark if you go about exploring the beauty of one of the most haunted places in India.

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Why

Kurseong

Kurseong:

Tour packages of Kurseong

Things to do in Kurseong

Eagle’s Crag

Dow Hill

Dow Hill Park and Dow Hill Museum

Dow Hill Forest Rest House

Dow Hill Girls School & Victoria Boys School

Giddapahar View Point & Seti Mata Temple

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum

Ambootia Shiva Mandir

St. Mary's Hill

Tea Estates in Kurseong

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum

Toy Train ride between Kurseong and Darjeeling

Trekking in Kurseong

Kettle Valley

Haunted places in Kurseong

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