Sittong: Where Misty Hills Meet Golden Orchards

Explore the viewpoints and Namthing Lake:

You can walk to the amazing sunrise and sunset viewpoints by heading towards specific locations like Ahaldara to catch a glimpse of sweeping vistas and magical sunrise casting its spell on the Himalayas. Also, just 1 km away from Ahaldara Viewpoint, is this famous lake, Namthing, which is surrounded by majestic pine forest. The major attraction of this lake is the Himalayan Salamander, almost an extinct species.

Experience the serenity in Sittong Monastery

You can experience the serenity of the Sittong Monastery when you experience its peaceful environment, surrounded by colourful Tibetan flags fluttering in the wind.

Spend some time relaxing by the Riyan River

You can indulge in photography and relax while watching the small ripples on the river. This place is also a great place to watch the sunset.

Treks and Nature Walks

A great short hike to the nearby waterfalls and immersing in the serenity of the environment is a fantastic way to spend time in Sittong.

Nearby Attractions and Places to Visit in Sittong

This tranquil hamlet located near Darjeeling is increasingly becoming a celebrated tourist destination for its calming monastery ambience, the vibrant orange orchards and splendid vistas of the great Himalayan range. Here is an exciting list of nearby attractions and places to visit in Sittong to explore this place to its fullest.

Ambotia Shiv Mandir

This temple is revered by locals and tourists equally and is situated amidst Kurseong’s Ambotia Tea Estate area, which is nearly 7 km away from the city centre of Kurseong. The highlight of this temple is its tranquillity stirred into its surrounding atmosphere, alongside the luscious tea gardens, which is a soothing experience for tourists of the hill temple, surrounded by so much scenic beauty.

Saint Paul Church

This church in Sittong is located close to Kurseong’s main town and is about 5 km away from Kurseong’s railway station. The highlight of this place is its colonial-era charm in its architecture, alongside the quaint feel which exudes serenity and reflects the rich British heritage of this place.

Giddapahar Viewpoint

This viewpoint in Sittong is perched on a hilltop, which is about just 3 km from Kurseong’s main town. The amazing fact about this place which attracts masses is its excellent 360°panoramic view which is captured by tourists of the surrounding valleys and the lush emerald green tea gardens, which is a perfect setting for photographers to capture those magnificent moments of sunrise and sunset.

Ahaldara Viewpoint

This viewpoint in Sittong is another popular point of attraction among tourists which is just a short drive away from the centre place of Sittong, nearly 3 km. Ahaldara viewpoint is situated at Shelpu Hill’s highest point, whereby, while walking to this viewpoint, you will get the ticket counter to enter the viewpoint premises. This viewpoint is celebrated among visitors for its amazing wide-angle view of the mountain range and the Himalayan vista, especially the glamorous Kanchenjunga, which is a must-visit for tourists during sunrise.

Namthing Pokhri

This offbeat location is almost 7 km away from Sittong and is located near Latpanchar, which is getting its due popularity among tourists for the small seasonal lake which is famous for the endangered species, the Himalayan Salamander, whose population in this lake increases during monsoon with the beaming lake and bushy forest setting.

Sittong Orange Orchard

The orange orchards in Sittong are popular in the entire Darjeeling district and are spread throughout the hilly terrain. You can take a leisurely walk during sunset through these vibrant and fresh fragrances of the ripe oranges, which is one of the popular attractions of Sittong. This place also got its nickname as “Orange Village” for its flourishing orange cultivation, which is also an interesting hub for tourists as they get the scope to learn about local orange farming practices and get to taste the fresh oranges here.

Sittong Monastery

The famous Sittong Monastery is located right at the heart of this quaint hamlet, which is easily accessible by tourists on foot. You can also avail the local ride to reach the monastery. This monastery in Sittong is popular for the serenity felt in its ambience, alongside the panoramic and spectacular vista of the surrounding hills. This is indeed a perfect place to experience a meditation space.

Mahaldiram Tea Garden

This sprawling tea garden is situated near Sittong, rather between Kurseong and Sittong and is approximately 12 km away from each of these towns. The highlight of this nearby attraction is the panoramic view of the lush tea gardens, with crawling green slopes. Tourists visiting this tea garden are greeted with the scope to observe the tea processing activities, besides enjoying the freshness in the mountain air and getting their hands on the second-best tea from Mahaldiram Tea Garden.

Jogikhola and Nambung Waterfall

This waterfall in Sittong is one of the excellent waterfalls witnessed when exploring Sittong. The Jogikhola and Nambung waterfalls are considered the best from these collections. The Jogikhola waterfall also has an exciting activity located near it, which is the popular Jogikhola Rock Climbing spot, located in the Latpanchar area. The Jogikhola Waterfall is just a 5km distance from Namthing Pokhri. Don’t miss out on this waterfall and rock-climbing activity at Jogikhola.

Jogighat Bridge and Riyan River

The Jogighat Bridge spans over the Riyan River, which for tourists serves as a peaceful escape near Sittong. The gentle and expansive hills surrounding the area and the peacefully flowing river have become a popular picnic spot and leisurely walks for visitors, who also enjoy the tranquil scenery of the ambience and the river, indeed a great place for photography and relaxation.

Latpanchar

This nearby attraction is situated approximately 10 km away from Sittong and also is considered a part of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and is popular as one of the biodiversity hotspots among tourists. This spot is also popular among birdwatchers, especially for watching Rufous-necked Hornbill, and also is an abode to a wide variety of medicinal plants.