Mongpu & Sonada: An Ideal Summer Retreat

Tucked away in the heart of West Sikkim, the quaint village of Mongpu is a rejuvenating summer escape and still an off-the-beaten destination for those seeking respite for a relaxing getaway. Perched at a height of 4000 feet and located near Kuseong (West Bengal), Mongpu can be accessed via the route from Ghum towards Tagda cantonment.

*Ghum (also spelt Ghoom) is a small hilly neighbourhood in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region of West Bengal, India.

Places to See in Mongpu

Rabindra Bhawan (old name: Surel Kothi)

For literature lovers, Mongpu holds a special place, intertwined with the lives of celebrated Bengali writers. The Surel Kothi, a quaint British bungalow, was once home to Maitreyi Devi, the novelist renowned for her beautiful Bengali novel ‘Na Hanyate.’

The literary giant Rabindranath Tagore was invited to stay by Devi herself (1938). Mongpu’s extraordinary tranquility made Tagore make it to be his favorite summer retreat. It was under a lush Camellia tree that he penned the famous ‘Camelia,’ though sadly the tree was burned during an agitation in 1988. Tagore even celebrated his 80th birthday in this idyllic hamlet, reciting his poem ‘Janamdin’ over AIR-Kolkata via telephone.

On his last visit to Mongpu in 1940, Tagore fell seriously ill and had to be shifted to Kolkata. He passed away the next year, leaving behind several of his possessions at the Mongpu residence. Today, the house has been transformed into a museum, housing Tagore’s personal belongings, including an intricately styled mahogany table and rare art pieces. The grounds are graced by towering Araucaria Bidwillii trees, also known as Monkey Puzzle trees, boasting an astonishing 5-foot diameter!

Government Cinchona Factory

Mongpu is popular for the Cinchona plantation. The Government Cinchona factory was established by Dr. Anderson in 1864. the cinchona plants are known to offer miraculous power to cure ailments and diseases including Malaria and are native of South Africa. Quinine is extracted from dried cinchona barks.

Dichen Sherpa Choyling Monastery

Experience the tranquil environs of the Dichen Sherpa Choyling Monastery, also known as the Peace Pagoda. Situated at Nalidara Square, the Buddhist monastery is located above the main market area.

Mongpu Cymbidium Orchid Park

The park hosts over 150 varieties of orchids and is located just 7 km from the main town. A must visitplace.

Picnic at Kalijhora waterfall

Head to the mesmerizing Kalijhora waterfall, also known as Kalijhora, which means ‘black stream.’ The water plunges down from a towering height of 550 feet with immense force, rushing towards the River Teesta at the northern end of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. True to its name, the waters of Kalijhora take on a blackish hue, contrasting with the vibrant blue of the Teesta River.

Kalijhora stream flows right beside the PWD inspection bungalow, while the Rambijhora river flows at a distance. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic.

Sonada (8 km from Mongpu)

Sonada is located between Kurseong and Darjeeling and this makes it a popular destination but not many stop by to admire this charming town.

Sonada is known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant monasteries, and lush tea estates.

Samdrup Darjay Choling Monastery

Tiger Hill: is a popualr spot to view the sunrise and admire at the majestic Kanchenjunga.

Senchal Lake: Senchal Lake is located near Sonada Monastery and is a serene and picturesque spot. Surrounded by pine forests and rolling hills, this artificial lake serves as a water reservoir for Darjeeling and is part of the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chatakpur, a small village within the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary

Gorato Nalichor Intek Cider

This is known for its peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. It features Christian religious symbols, including statues of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, and is often visited for prayer, reflection, and solitude.

a pilgrim center that highlights and reflects the life’s of Lord Jesus Christ.

Visit tea estates

Sonada has a few popular tea estates worth visiting. These include Cedar, Milling, Kalej valley, Oaks, Rungmook, Moondakotee, Ringtong and Balasun tea estates.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), known as the “Toy Train,” is a historic 2-foot gauge railway in West Bengal, India, connecting New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, famous for its stunning Himalayan views, innovative engineering (loops & zigzags), and UNESCO World Heritage status. The train passes through Sonada town making your visit extra special.

Bakhim Dara view point and Tiger Hill

Offering spellbinding panoramas of the majestic Kanchenjunga range, both locations offer a perfect setting for a picnic amidst nature’s grandeur.

In recent months, the state government’s fruit processing and horticulture department has approved a budget of Rs 68 lakh for establishing the Rhododendron park project on a 5-acre land.

Explore more around Mongpu

With time at hand, you can visit a few more enchanting places that are located near Mongpu.

Just a short distance away lies Siksin village, also referred to as Reshep (distinct from Reshop near Lava). Intriguingly, the name “Siksin” originated from a mispronunciation of “section” by the locals when the cinchona plantations were divided into different areas. This picturesque village, with its houses scattered along the hillside, provides magnificent vistas of the surrounding mountains.

In the other direction from Mongpu, drive 6 km to reach Jogighat – a small bridge built over the river Riyang is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists alike.

Cross over the bridge to explore the Shelphu, Sittong, and Latpanchar areas which are also popular destinations. Many visitors use Mongpu as a base to take day trips to Sittong, while those staying in Sittong make Mongpu part of their sightseeing circuit.

Most visitors opt to drive from Siliguri or Bagdogra, which are the nearest major towns/cities. The winding mountain roads offer stunning views along the way. Alternatively, you can take a train to New Jalpaiguri (56 km) and then hire a car or shared taxi to Mongpu, a drive of around 3-4 hours.

Location & Distance Guide to Mongpu

Mongpu is easily accessible via three major road routes that converge at the village.

• The north-westbound road leads towards Peshok, a popular trekking base.
• The eastbound downhill road goes towards the banks of the Teesta River and connects to National Highway 10.
• The southbound route takes you to Jogighat and further onto the Selphu Sittong area.

Sonada to Mongpu: 8 Km – Sonada is half way between from Darjeeling town (17 km) and Kurseong (16 km)
Darjeeling to Mongpu: 30 km
Mongpu to Siliguri: 52 km
Mirik to Sonada: 23 Km
Mongpu to Gangtok: 88 km