Sister Nivedita, the great disciple of Swami Vivekananda made Kurseong her home.
The rich flora of Kurseong town and surroundings is fascinating, and it has aptly been described as a 'Botanists' Paradise'. With the first showers in May, after a relatively dry winter and spring, the river beds glitter in the light of the sun like silver lines, while the sunlight and dappled shadows play hide and seek on the higher slopes of the valley. Sometimes on a clear day, one can see the clouds piling up in the plains and advancing slowly but relentlessly to cover the foothills.
Perhaps the prettiest page in the Kurseong fairytale is a ride on the famous Toy Train as it chuffs valiantly along its route from Darjeeling to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. The Toy Train was commissioned in 1881, a shiny blue and silver steam locomotive whose novelty has still not worn off after 120 years! The Toy Train is miniature – a tiny engine that heroically pulls 4-5 compartments on a narrow gauge rail. The train braves hills and valleys, weaving around waterfalls, rivers and forests on its 8 ½ to 10-hour journey.
Apart from the charm and beauty that nature has bestowed upon Kurseong, the tourism infrastructure in Kurseong is fast developing. Besides that, the people of this place are joyous and fun loving and welcome visitors with warmth and hospitality.
Kurseong has many good boarding schools of which the Dow Hill Public School has a beautiful campus. To name a few others, there is Goethal's Memorial School(boys), St. Helen's Convent(girls), Victoria Boys School, Himali Boarding School(co-ed), St.Anthony's School(coed), St.Alphonsus School(co-ed) and St. Joseph School(girls).
How to Get to Kurseong
Foreigners visiting Kurseong must possess an Indian visa. No special permit is required for either traveling or trekking inside Kurseong. However, necessary travel documents need to be shown as and when required.
LOCAL TRANSPORT: Private taxis, jeeps and landrovers are available for local sightseeing in and around Kurseong. Buses, cars, tourist mini coaches and taxis are available for transfer of passengers between Kurseong and Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra.
AIR CONNECTIONS: Bagdogra at a distance of 60 km( 2 hours drive).
RAIL CONNECTIONS: Kurseong is connected to New Jalpaiguri( 59 km) and Siliguri(51 km) by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. From there, visitors may proceed to Kurseong by bus or taxi or land rover.
ROAD CONNECTIONS: Kurseong is connected with all weather metal road with Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kalimpong, Mirik, Gangtok etc.
Where to stay in Kurseong
You can take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Kurseong. The various hotel packages offer the best of facilities. The well-furnished rooms place most of the comforts at your feet.
WBTDC's Kurseong TOURIST LODGE Hill Cart Roads Phone: 0354-44409 Accommodation: Double rooms( Rs. 450 ). Double rooms with verandahs( Rs. 500 ). Restaurant: Indian and Chinese
HOTEL AMARJEET Near Petrol Pump, Hill Cart Road. Phone: 0354-44678 Accommodation: Double rooms( Rs. 300 ). Triple rooms (Rs. 700) Restaurant: Indian and Chinese
DELHI DURBAR
PRADHAN GUEST HOUSE
Where to Eat
For the vegetarians, Shyam's Restaurant, Jeet Restaurant and Batloi's are the best. Other visitors can take their pick from a range of way side restaurants in the town offering momos, thukpha and other meals.
Places to visit in and around Kurseong
Eagle's Crag - This popular landmark is one km uphill from Kurseong Railway station is Eagle’s Crag from where amazing views of the Teesta River and the dense evergreen forest of Darjeeling valley. At the summit there is a Tourist complex with a Garden and observatory Netaji Kothi, "Once a summer home of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose but now a Ruined Bulding". Quite a few trekking trails lead off into the surrounding mountains and forests. You can see the Khangchendzonga, Jannu and Kabru peaks as they loom up in the distance.
Tea Estates - A tea plantation town, the rich green tea estates like Ambotia, Castleton, Springside, Makaibari, Jogmaya, Ghoomtee stretch across the hillsides.
St.Mary's Hill - Nearly 4 kilometers from Kurseong Railway Station surrounded by deep woods lies an elegant mansion which houses the Eastern Forest Rangers' College (EFRC). Earlier the campus was the sight of St. Mary's seminary, the first such seminary of the east of Suez. A statue of Jesus and Mary and the newly built Jt. John's Church, an example of modern architectural excellence, are also located on the same hill.
Kettle Valley Picnic Spot - Outing at Kettle Valley Picnic Spot at Dilaram Tea Estate on the banks of the river Rinchengtong offers you a rare opportunity to play in its crystal clear waters in the backdrop of snow-clad mountains.
Dow Hill - The Deer Park, the Forest Museum, the mini amusement park and the water reservoir all set amid moss-laden conifers of Dowhill is worth a visit.
A one kilometre ascent takes one to the top of Dow Hill where a well-developed tourist complex is situated. Standing here on a clear day, one can have a sweeping view of the plains in striking contrast to the hills around. All around are the ubiquitous tea plantations. The Castleton Tea Estate, which produces the world's most expensive tea, is nearby.
Ambotia Shiva Mandir & Gidhapahar Mandir - If you are religious and would like to pay a visit to the temples you can visit the Ambotia Shiva Mandir and the Gidhapahar Mandir in town.