The most interesting places to visit in Pedong ~ With Dipen Magar

The most interesting places to visit in Pedong

Pedong is a little village 22 kilometres northeast of Kalimpong, located on the sloping Damsang Fort Ridge at a height of 4,068 feet. From Kalimpong, it takes around 45 minutes by vehicle to arrive to Pedong. You can explore several heritage sites, an old historical fort (Damsang Fort), and numerous magnificent view points as well as towns in the nearby areas on a day tour from Kalimpong.

Pedong

Pedong Play ground

The most interesting places to visit in Pedong.

cross hill

Relax and enjoy walk to Cross Hill after your meal. A cross can be seen here, therefore the name. Father Augustine Desgodins, a French missionary, constructed a cross facing Tibet in 1882. Several missionaries who travelled to Tibet at the time never returned. Father Desgodins constructed a cross here in the memory of their ancestors, hoping of returning from Tibet one day. Here from, you can see Tibet. The sunset, like the beautiful views of mountains ahead, is spectacular. Cross Hill is a magnificent location in the town of Pedong, West Bengal, about 1.5 kilometres from Pedong. It is among the most beautiful spots to go in Pedong as well as one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Pedong.

The holy cross that adorned the hill, which has been frequently visited by the Christian community, gave it the name Cross Hill.

In Pedong, Father Desgodins also founded the first Catholic mission. The church is still standing, and the mission is still operating in this area. Because of its beautiful view of Kangchenjunga, the location has become popular with tourists. From here, you can see Tibet as well as the People's Republic of China's border. It's also a great spot to see the sunset. St. George Higher Secondary School, a well-known Christian missionary boarding school, is also located in Pedong.

Damsang

Damsang Fort is a historic fort situated in Sillery village area of Pedong town in Kalimpong district of West Bengal, 7 kilometres from Pedong Bus Station. It is the sole fort in Darjeeling district and Kalimpong district among the most popular tourist attractions in Pedong.

The historical Damsang Fort, also known as Damsang Gudi, originally constructed by Lepcha around 1690. Gyabo Achyok, the very last Lepcha king, used to rule from this fort. Even though the fort was built to protect from Bhutanese attacks, it was also the site of a long-running ethnic conflict among the Lepchas and the Bhutias in the seventeenth - century AD. Thereafter, the fort was utilised to protect against British East India Company attacks.

The British took control of the fort right after the Anglo-Bhutan War in 1864. Today, tourists can only observe the ruins of a stables in which the horses used to drink water as well as a water spring where the queen used to bath. The local Lepcha community has established an organisation to protect the ruins and also renovate the fort as required.

The distinctive location provides for a beautiful view of the hills as well as plains, as it is located on top of the hill. Annually in the month of December, the Lepcha community in this fort celebrates the king's birth anniversary. Yearly on three days during Ram Navami, the renowned fair 'Chaitya Mela' is held inside the fort's grounds (April).

Tinchuley View Point

Tinchuley View Point is a lovely spot in Pedong, West Bengal, around 1 kilometre from Silent Valley and approximately 6 kilometres from Pedong. It is among the most popular spots to visit in Pedong as well as one of the best viewpoints in the town. The Tinchuley View Point, is nearby Sillery. Tinchuley is the name given by the locals which means to any hilltop wherein three ridges meet. It is the highest peak in the area, providing panoramic views over basically the entire Darjeeling as well as Sikkim Himalayan ranges, and also sections of Tibet and Bhutan. It's also a great way to get a 360-degree glimpse of the Nathula, Himalayas, and Jelep La Pass by climbing up the summit. Beautiful views of Kasyam village, dense forest, as well as terraced fields loaded with green paddy can be seen from this viewpoint. To get to the peak of the hill out from the nearest motorable road, it takes around 30 minutes of steep climbing.

Silent valley

Silent Valley is a wide beautiful green meadow situated in the town of Pedong in West Bengal, 2 kilometres from Damsang Fort and 5 kilometres from Pedong Bus Station. It is probably the Pedong's most picturesque spots.

The Silent Valley, a wide stretch of green pasture covered by tall pine trees, is a large stretch of green pasture whereby one may enjoy the stillness and silence of the forest, only interrupted by the chirping of birds. In Pedong, it's a great area for a picnic or camping.

In Pedong, there are several other wonderful locations to explore, such like Kashyong, a neighbouring village where you may see an ancient traditional Lepcha's house. Afterwards you can go to Ramitay, which indeed is a fantastic view point. The Teesta River can be seen running through the valley below, as well as the enormous Kangchenjunga.

Sillary Village

Visit the nearby Sillary village, a small peaceful village practically concealed on one side of a mountain slope. It is situated at an altitude of 6,000 feet at a distance of about 8 km from Pedong and is surrounded by dense forest. This small hilltop village, with only a handful of villagers and their families, offers stunning views of the Kangchenjunga and Teesta rivers as they meander through the valley. From Sillary village, you can see the Teesta's longest stretch.

While returning, stop at Algarah and walk for 6,800 feet to Jhandi Dara, which is a great view point to have a panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain range including Kangchenjunga. It is also a famous sunrise and sunset point.

Sangchen Dorji Monastery

Sangchen Dorjee Monastery is a Bhutanese monastery in the tourist town of Pedong, West Bengal, about 2 kilometres from Pedong Bus Stand. The Sangchen Dorjee Monastery, also known as Pedong Monastery, is indeed one of the oldest monasteries in the Kalimpong region and a prominent Pedong tourist attraction.

Sangchen Dorjee Monastery was constructed during Bhutanese monarchy in the early 1700s AD. This monastery teaches visitors about culture and history of Pedong and its environments. Since the fort was destroyed during the Anglo-Bhutani War in 1864 AD, the treasures of Damsang Fort were stored in this monastery.

Pedong Monastery's architecture is extremely remarkable. The great hall features frescoes illustrating Tantric Buddhism on the interior walls. The mummified body of the last Shabdrung Rinpoche, Bhutan's most revered priest, is yet another important attraction at the monastery.

For Bhutanese as well as other Buddhists of the Drukpa Khargu tradition, the location is becoming a major pilgrimage destination. Each year in the months of April and May, a mask dance or Cham dance is held here.

Rikisum or Reesum

Rikisum, located 10 kilometres from Pedong as well as 11 kilometres from Lava in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, is yet another lovely spot located on top of a densely forest hillside Algarah. This viewpoint, commonly termed as Reesum, is one of the finest spots in Pedong.

Rikisum, located on the Pedong-Lava Road at such an altitude of around 6000 feet, gives a bird's eye panoramic view mountains, such as the beautiful Mount Kangchenjunga. The ruins of an old British house constructed in 1902, which functioned as a stopping place for British tourists on their journey to Tibet in the former. The bungalow, meanwhile, has now been demolished. The entire Kangchenjunga range, and also the towns of Darjeeling, Pedong, Kalimpong, Gangtok, and many others, may be seen from here.

Good budget homestay in pedong

Damsang Guest House

Damsang Guest House, Pedong's oldest and family-run accommodation, is a good affordable budget option. It is set on a huge area with a lovely green garden in the backside. The guesthouse contains 8 rooms, including some that are decorated in a cottage style. Many of the newer upper rooms include all wood paneling, screen TVs, and attached bathrooms with geysers, among other luxuries. Wi-Fi is available for free at the guesthouse. A museum exhibiting the area's old heritage and culture which is located in the basement (Maya Museum).

Damsang Guesthouse, Pedong near St. George's HS School, Pedong 734311

Contact: (+91) 756044588; 7602534734; 9933390727

Email: damsanggh@gmail.com

Silk Route Retreat

The Silk Route Retreat, situated on the 21st mile of Reshi Road in Pedong as well as about 400 metres from the monastery, is an excellent budget/mid-range alternative. It is a family-run business with five semi-enclosed cottages covered by a lovely greenery. The area surrounding is, actually, forest area.

The Silk Route Retreat is an excellent choice for a place to stay. Kalimpong Bus Station is a few kilometres away. Sangchen Dorji, Lava View Point, Delo View Point, as well as other nearby points are all worth seeing. Characteristics The luxurious homes are set amidst lush nature and beautiful splendour. Delightful interiors with wooden floors, brilliantly coloured walls, and complementary furniture distinguish elegantly styled rooms. The attached washrooms are well-kept. For your convenience, well-furnished cottage style rooms are fitted with a queen size bed and TV.

The Silk Route Retreat, 21st mile, Pedong 734311

Contact: +919932828753

Email: thesilkrouteretreat.com

About WITH DIPEN MAGAR

I'm Dipen Magar. Initially, I'm a passionate Christ follower and a writer although I make mistakes, But that is how we learn, isn't? We are living in the world where everyday inspiration and motivation is becoming necessity to move forward and to think for a second or few, that is what i can help you with by sharing testimonials and word of God, which really helped me through my struggles to overcome it and I believe it will help you too. Your help and advice will boost my confidence so feel free to share How can i be more helpful. Thank you!