Kurseong is a very popular name in North Bengal. It is on the way to Darjeeling. We don't even think to spend two or three days. Let's go to this unseen place to rediscover Kurseong. British transformed 'Kharsong' (local name) to Kurseong from a mountain village to a Hill-Town. It does not lose its beauty though it became a town. It still waits to welcome those who love nature intensely. The meaning of the word 'kharsong ' in Lepcha is “a land of white orchid” and in Nepalese is the “morning star”. When the soft silky light of dawn falls on the white orchids, they are looks like a twinkling star. Two or three days will pass by in an instant in the world of twinkling star.
Kurseong means a long stretch of tea garden and some architecture along with the forest of Pine. Except that some old forest of Birch, Oak, Magnolia are there. From here you can visit Makaibari Tea Estate, Single Tea Estate, Chimney, Sitong. From my personal experience I suggest to avoid the madding crowd of Darjeeling one could stay at Kurseong and visit Darjeeling as day-tour from there. Though in Kurseong there are markets, schools, colleges and the connecting point of three roads (Hilcart road, Rohini road, Pankhabari road) to Darjeeling makes the place a little crowded, still there are many places around where the quite environment and solitude will bury the mind.
At first Eagle's Crag can be visited. It is a beautiful place with a beautiful garden and view point at hill top along with a small cafeteria. From here you will find a mesmerizing view. If the sky is clear you will see Siliguri, Kurseong, and Darjeeling from here. Touching the lips with a smoky hot coffee mug, the taste of the natural surroundings from the Watch Tower will captivate the mind.The romantic view of this place is very popular to the young local couples. The largest water tank of this place supplies water to Kurseong.
Our next destination is Dow Hill. Kurseong contains number of hills and Dow Hill is one of them. There is a dense forest on this hill. It is said that there are leopards in the forest. However, the beautiful nature and the traditional architecture here makes you forget the fear. The previous name of Dow Hill Park was Dear Park. Yes you can see dear but entering into the forest is strictly prohibited. The park is beautifully decorated for the children. The Forest Museum is very good. If you want to be a companion of birds chirping from the dense incense forest and want to spend a night at the lap of the nature there is Dow Hill Forest Rest House. The rest house is beautifully decorated with a garden and the night spend in this rest house will be a great memory. The architectural design of Dow Hill Girls School and Victoria Boys School is eye catching. The equation of this architecture with the greenery all around and the slope of the hill will touch the mind. The Churches and playgrounds adjacent to the Victoria School and the playing children will delight the mind. There is a water reservoir for rain water harvesting.
Our next destination is Giddapahar View Point. The stairs to the view point is on the right hand side. If the weather is clear, other snow-capped peaks, including Kanchenjunga, will satisfy the eyes and mind. Narrow necklace like Toy Train Track runs with the Hillcart road at down. At some upper point from Hillcart Road there is a local Durga Temple which is very famous by local people. Another famous visiting place is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum. Famous freedom fighter of India, Netaji spend some days here at his brother, Sarat Chandra Bose's house. Beautiful collection of his used materials is properly kept in this museum. Impressions of cleanliness and maintenance are everywhere. If you spend some time in this place surrounded by greenery and rejuvenated, you will bow your head in reverence at the feet of Netaji.
There are a few famous tea gardens in Kurseong like Ambutia, Makaibari, Single Tea Estate etc. There are homestays at both in Makaibari and Single Tea Estate. There is a Shiva temple near Ambutia Tea Estate. It is very popular to the local people. The natural beauty here is also very beautiful. The world famous tea garden of Makaibari is also worth visiting. The picture of collecting tea leaves with a basket on the head of the local costume in a group will be forever framed in the mind. Here and in the factory the method of making tea can be seen.
Jesus, the God of peace, and Mother Mary are seated in the church of St. Mary's Hill amidst the beautiful nature wrapped in velvet green. To calm and stabilize the mind, one can remain immersed in silent prayer for a while. Another visiting place is Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum near Kurseong station. One can also enjoy toy train riding here.
If you want, take a day to walk and see the village-forest-nature around Kurseong. Unfamiliar villages and the simple life of the common people there will bring a taste of the unfamiliar world to the mind.
There are hotels of different quality and price here. But if you want to get a taste of the way of life and culture of the local people, stay in a homestay. Kurseong is 40 km from NJP/ Siliguri and 30 km from Darjeeling which can be reached by reserve or share car. If you have a lot of time on your hand, you can also arrive at Kurseong by toy train.