Kurseong – The Heart Of Darjeeling
Sojourning in Kurseong is the ideal way to experience Darjeeling. Even before I headed there, I knew I didn’t want to go to the touristic Darjeeling. From the kind of reviews I had got about it, I knew it wouldn’t be enjoyable to stay in Darjeeling – it’s just full of vehicles and the clamour of tourists. Well, I’m not the one who decides on a destination based on people’s opinions. If a destination fascinates me, I’m too nosey to skip it. So, yes, I did visit the ‘touristic’ Darjeeling, but I didn’t stay there.
I stayed in Kurseong.
I feel so fortunate to have chosen Kurseong – it’s one of the unassuming hill stations in Darjeeling district. Kurseong actually introduced me to all the heritage charms of Darjeeling – the tea gardens and the people associated with them, taste of an authentic Darjeeling Tea and the lovely British era train stations.
So, Kurseong has got everything that you would expect from a lovely hill station – it is quiet, it has got beautiful mountain views, it has heritage and it has great people. And, if you can’t keep yourself from visiting Darjeeling, it’s only an hour’s drive away.
THINGS TO DO IN KURSEONG
Just to help you know Kurseong better, I have listed down a few things to do –
The green trails
If you love to walk and are always upbeat about nature, simply follow your heart and discover your own trails in Kurseong. We followed a path that started from the Hill Cart Road leading to Dow Hill School and then up to the Deer Park. The lush and pristine beauty of nature made the long hike totally worthwhile.
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| A green trail leading to Deer Park |
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| Choose any trail, it will lead to more beauty… |
The wild beauty
Kurseong, by its very name, means ‘the land of orchids’. So, don’t leave the town without spotting those wild flowers. Orchids grow anywhere they find fresh air and suitable environment. Besides, all kinds of wild berries are a common sight. Not to mention, variety of ferns hog the limelight everywhere.
The British era ruins and the old buildings
On a heritage trail, there is nothing lovelier than spotting an old cobbled house in the midst of bushes. There are so many old buildings from the British era in Kurseong – churches, schools, colleges, hospitals, and guest houses. Some of them are in a dilapidated state, but still ooze a lot of charm.
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| Students at Eastern Forest Rangers College |
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| An old hospital building |
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| Dow Hill School |
The museums
Museums are not really my thing, but the W.B. Forest School Dow Hill Museum is worth a dekko. It’s a museum where forest products are preserved. Also, there is an interesting museum at the Kurseong train station, which showcases the history of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
The villages
There are quite a few villages around Kurseong. One of them is Dilaram village, which is worth visiting for its environmentally conserved beauty and organic way of life. Interacting with the villagers is a great way of knowing the Nepalise culture.
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| A pretty quaint house |
The tea gardens
Kurseong gives access to various tea gardens. It’s like wherever you go, there is a tea garden waiting for you. I visited Goomtee and Dilaram tea gardens, which gave me a chance to know the life of tea-pluckers. (I’m going to write a detailed post about it later)
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| Dilaram Tea Garden |
The authentic Darjeeling tea
Yes, there is nothing like sipping the authentic Darjeeling tea, which is prepared without milk and sugar. It tastes great. Sample a cup of tea at your host’s place or wherever you go – a villager’s house, shops and restaurants. It’s served almost everywhere.
Enjoy a toy train ride from Kurseong to Darjeeling
Although I didn’t experience it myself, I am sure travelling on a toy train would be an amazing way to enjoy the simple pleasures of Darjeeling. There are three stations between Kurseong and Darjeeling – Tung, Sonada and Ghum. These little train stations are really a whiff from the olden times.
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| An old rest house in Kurseong |
WHERE TO STAY IN KURSEONG
Kettle Valley Home Stay
I stayed at Kettle valley, which is a family-run home stay. It’s a place for travellers who would like to have authentic experiences of Kurseong – conversations with a Nepalese family, home-cooked local cuisine, village and tea garden trails, and of course, warm hospitality.
Would you explore the true old Darjeeling that still exists in Kurseong?
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