Kurseong (original) (raw)
Kurseong (Nepali: खरसाङ Kharsāṅ, Bengali: কার্শিয়াং Kārśiẏāṁ) is a town in the Darjeeling Hills of West Bengal. The town is also known as the "Land of Glorious Sunsets" because it faces the western part of the hills, and the sunset is visible through a glorious mix of clouds turning crimson, yellow and red.
The Lepcha name literally means the "white orchid of the eastern Himalayas", which was apparently given by a European researcher who was researching an exotic variety of white orchid that could only be found at the height of Kurseong, i.e. 4500 feet above sea level. This variety of the white orchid only grows at this height, hence the name.
Toy Train at Kurseong
26.87740188.2770011 Kurseong DHR is about 45 kilometres from Siliguri. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach Kurseong if you travel by Hill Cart Road, the comfortable and scenic link running parallel to the railway tracks or about one hour using the Old Army Road (Pankhabari Road), which is steeper.
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Map of Kurseong
You can either walk or flag down mini-vans. These vans show availability if they have a sign-up with their destination (for duty or reserved means you can't flag them down). From Kurseong railway station to Makaibari Tea Estate is around 60 rupees.
DHR Archive, Kurseong Station
Kurseong is home to the costliest teas in the world. World-famous Castleton, Ambotia and Makaibari tea gardens produce the most delicate aromas of all black teas known to mankind.
You just relax or move around the town, tea gardens or the parks. Enjoy the cool mountain breeze. The town is small, clean and relatively uncrowded.
- You can walk to Eagle's Crag (Durpin Dhara) or trek (or take a taxi) to Deer's Park. Eagles Crag provides a panoramic view of Kurseong Town and the plains of Siliguri. You can view Himalayan peaks with their golden glow for sunrise.
- Trek to Balason river, take local advice if you are attempting this.
- Forestry museum.
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum at Kurseong railway station.
- This entire scenic route can be travelled (with huge pine trees on each sides and greenery and peace everywhere) from St Marys Grotto till Deer Park.
One can buy beautiful Tea from either Tea Estate's outlet country or from any number of shops.
Woolen garments, jackets are very attractive and can be purchased from shops located on T.N.Road.
Margaret's Deck
Most of the hotels have their own restaurants. Roadside eateries serve popular snacks like momo and thupka.
- 26.931488.29891 Margaret's Deck (Tea Pot), Hill Cart Rd (just north of Tung DHR ), ☏ +91 97340 22440. 8AM-6PM. Margaret's Hope exclusive tea lounge falls under the Goodricke Teapot chain of tea lounges. It is situated on an extended platform offering 270 degree views of the Goodricke's Margaret Hope Tea Estate. Although there are no views of Mt. Kanchenjungha, the deck offers a great sunset. It serves some of the most exotic teas including Muscatel. It also serves snacks, but momo is not on menu.
(updated Sep 2025)
Cochrane Place Hotel, Kurseong
You can try local drinks such as "chaang" prepared from fermented millet and "tongba", another regional drink that is often served with boiling water.
- 26.877888.27871 Amarjeet Hotel, 12 T.N Road, Kurseong, Darjeeling (Located near the Railway (DHR) Station), ☏ +91 90079 95888. Rooms from ₹2500-3700 + 12% tax, up to ₹4800-6400 + tax including all meals. ₹600-1800 for an extra person. (updated Jan 2023)
- 26.868188.26122 Cochrane Place, 132, Pankhabari Road, Kurseong, West Bengal, India, ☏ +91 9932035660, +91 9832367878, host@imperialchai.com. Former residence of British Magistrate John Percy Cochrane, the Cochrane Place Hotel is a modern day hotel with a touch of the Raj. Located just south of Kurseong on the Pankhabari Road the hotel is surrounded by rolling tea gardens. Cochrane Place is a boutique hotel specializing in tea. The Chai Country, the hotel's exclusive tea room serves excellent tea. It also serves excellent food combining continental and local cuisines. Room prices off/peak ₹4,000/4,500 (s) 4,500/5,000 (d) to ₹10,000 (4-person family suite) all including breakfast. Lunch or dinner ₹900.
(updated Jan 2023) - 26.8862588.278013 Roudra Chhaya Tourism Property (Kurseong Tourist Lodge), Hill Cart Rd, ☏ +91 354 234 5608. A decent, if old-fashioned, state-run lodge with nice views of the mountains. TV and extra blankets are provided, but showers are cold. Breakfast is included in the rate. The restaurant also serves a fine dinner for around ₹300 each. Be early as lunch time can be crowded. ₹1,700–2,000. (updated Sep 2025)
- 26.85835588.2637784 Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa, Darjeeling, Makaibari Tea Estate, Pankhabari Rd, ☏ +91 90462 46061. Check-in: 2PM. ₹28,000–32,000. (updated Jan 2026)
Continue with your journey to Darjeeling (about 35 kilometres), to Sikkim or Kalimpong. To catch a train or flight, you have to go to Siliguri. Reserve cars are available from Siliguri, Kings Travels, dial-098304-28401/ 093319–39486.
This city travel guide to Kurseong is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.