Jhalong

Located 99km from the bustling city Siliguri, on the way to Bindu is a lesser known hill station of Dooars, Jhalong. Jhalong is a small village situated on the banks of river Jaldhaka, near India-Bhutan border in the Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. The serene ambiance and scenic beauty of Jhalong has made it a favored offbeat destination of Dooars region. The major attraction of the Jhalong is known to be the Hydro Electricity Project built on the Jaldhaka River.

Places to See in Jhalong

Sited on the foothills of Eastern Himalayas along the river bank of River Jaldhaka, Jhalong is known for its cardamom plantation but after being emerged as an offbeat destination of Dooars region, camping along the river bank of Jaldhaka has become a famous activity which has lured the traveler who thrives to get new experience towards Jhalong. Apart from camping beside the meandering river the hydro electric project on river Jaldhaka has become a major attraction of Jhalong. This hydroelectric project is the first of its kind in India with permission tourist can visit the dam. Located close to Bhutan border the dam on river Jaldhaka also act like a bridge towards Bhutan. From the dam visitors can take a rare view of the snow Peak Mountains in winters. The dam creates an ideal ambiance for the growth of avifauna attracting many migratory birds towards Jhalong, making Jhalong a birding paradise for the avid bird watchers. Some of the birds spotted in Jhalong are Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Hodgson's Redstart, Salty-backed Forktail, Little Forktail and Rufous-necked laughingthrush. Jhalong is known to have the largest market area in the region making the market place of Jhalong the melting pot for diverse culture like Nepali, Bengali, Marwari, Adivashis and Rajbanshis. Even the Bhutanese people dependent upon the Jhalong market for their daily requirement. Endowed with rich avifauna and flora and being the melting pot for people with different cultural background, Jhalong has something to offer to each of its visitor and the adventure enthusiast can partake in some of the activities which Jhalong offers like angling, rock climbing, camping and trekking. But trekking and camping along the river side are the famous activities in Jhallong. The trekking trail through the deciduous forest towards the gateway of Rochella Park, Todey and Tangta has hyped the interest of many trekkers' traveling to Jhalong. From birding to camping Jhallong or Jhalong has been plunged in the surreal manmade and natural beauty. Free from the tourist rush and away from the monotonous city life, Jhalong is a serene destination where travelers can plunge themselves into the serenity which is only broken by the sound of gushing river water and chirping of exotic Himalayan birds.

Blessed with rich flora and fauna, Jhalong with its verdant forest and pictorial views has become the safe haven and ideal destination for tourists who loves to relish in the beauty of nature bound place. Camp under the starry night while listening to hooting and shrieking of wild animal along with the alluring sound of gushing river, camping in Jhalong is an astounding way to find the solitude while being close with nature.

Best Time to Visit Jhalong

If the visitor are looking forward to take part in adventurous activities like trekking and camping the best time to visit Jhalong is considered to be the post monsoon season October and November when the current of river stream is moderate and tourist can make most of the crystal clear water.