Are you tired of going to busy places like Darjeeling for your trips? If so, consider checking out Mongpu or Mungpoo, which is approximately 30 kilometers away from Darjeeling. It’s a small town nestled at 3800 feet above sea level, away from the hustle and bustle of Darjeeling. Mongpu, located in the Darjeeling district, is a charming village with beautiful flower gardens, cottages, and markets. If you’re looking to enjoy a peaceful time in a small town, definitely give Mongpu a visit.
Moreover, the lively tea gardens in Mongpu will rejuvenate your mind and soul. It has been a less-explored destination for many years, but its unique charm is attracting more travelers. Interestingly, even the great poet Rabindranath Tagore was captivated by the beauty of Mungpoo or Mongpu.
Best Time to Visit Mungpoo
Mungpoo, due to its pleasant weather can be visited at any time of the year. The best time to visit it is during the month of June. This time you can see many beautiful blooming flower species especially at the end of the summer season. Apart from that, you can visit this mesmerizing abode anytime between October and December.
Transport Options to Reach Mongpu or Mungpoo
Mungpoo even though an offbeat destination under Darjeeling District, can be reached quite comfortably. Here are all the transportation system available to reach this scenic abode.
- Mungpoo by Road: The distance from Darjeeling to Mungpoo is approximately 30 km and from Kalimpong, it is 39 km. You can hire a taxi or car o finally reach Mongpoo and it will take not more than an hour.
- Mungpoo by Train: NJP is the nearby railway station at a distance of 60 km from Mungpoo. Whereas, the distance from Siliguri to Mungpoo is about 57 km. From NJP or Siliguri, cars are available to hire.
- Mungpoo by Air: Situated at a distance of about 66 km, Bagdogra is the nearest station of Mungpoo. After landing at Bagdogra, Taxis are available to hire.
The Weather of Mongpu
The weather is cooler than the rest of the period in the months of November and December. Another attraction which will catch your attention in December is the cinchona plantations. They look fresh and colourful during the winter and definitely deserve to be clicked.
Mongpu sightseeing and Tourist Attractions
Munpoo Bazaar: The local market in Mongpu is interesting to check out. It has lots of small shops and stalls. Villagers come here to buy their everyday stuff and chat with each other. The market is a bit busy, unlike other parts of the village. Travelers can visit to grab what they need and get a glimpse of how the locals live.
Government Cinchona Factory: The Government Cinchona factory was set up here in 1864, and it’s still in operation. Tourists can visit the factory for free, and if they’re fortunate, they might see the process of extracting quinine. For students, this factory shows how quinine is extracted. If you love plants, you’ll enjoy exploring this factory.
RabindraBhavan: Right across from the factory, there’s another notable place in Mongpu. It’s called RabindraBhavan, now known as the Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Museum. Here, you can see the bed and Mahogany desk that Tagore used. The museum also displays original paintings and handwritten scripts of Tagore’s prose and verse. This house was his summer retreat, and Tagore visited Mongpu four times between 1938 and 1940.
Tagore first visited the picturesque village of Mongpoo in 1938. Maitreyi Devi, the daughter of Tagore’s close friend Surendranath Dasgupta, invited him to spend a holiday at her place. Maitreyi Devi, a celebrated novelist who wrote the award-winning novel “Na Hanyate,” was the host. During his stay, Tagore penned one of his famous poems, “Janmadin.”
Mungpoo Viewpoint: In the village, there’s a lovely viewpoint that adds to the attractions. From this spot, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding hills and catch sight of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the Himalayas. Travelers can spend some peaceful and enjoyable moments here.
Orchid Center: You can check out the Orchid Center just 7 km away from the market. It’s called Mongpu Cymbidium Orchid Park, and it has 150 different types of orchids. It is undoubtedly one of the finest places to visit in Mongpu with your friends and family.
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Tourist Accommodation
Being an offbeat destination, Mongpoo has limited kind of accommodation to offer. However, many homestays or hotels are available to stay here. Some of the popular hotels and homestays are Mungpoo Retreat Farmstay, Mungpoo Homestay, Mungpoo Retreats, Aarti Homestay, etc.
