Visit Calcutta and The East
Continuing north through forested hills you arrive in Kalimpong, where ancient Buddhist monasteries, including Thonga Gompa, dot the landscape. Different branches of Buddhism have established themselves here on ancient trade routes, while the School of Tibetan Medicine at the Ringkinpong Monastery is the only one of its kind outside Tibet. On a more worldly level, the town market draws farmers down from their mountain homes to sell their produce and herbal medicines, while the climate is ideal for growing orchids, gladioli and dahlias and the local nurseries make an interesting visit.