Bungkulung

The land of tea, oranges and cardamom

As you listen to the flowing waters of the Balason River and see trouts swimming in the Murmah Khola, you have reached the amazing land of the Limbu people of the Gorkha community, Bungkulung. The offbeat destination is as unique as its name. The name is a fusion of two languages, Limbu and Lepcha. 

Situated in proximity to Siliguri and Mirik, Bungkulung is famous for its tea tourism with vast stretches of land filled with trimmed tea gardens. The paddy fields and orange orchards are other attractions of the land. The state government has also invested to improve the pisciculture of the area. Currently, there are a total of 19 projects ongoing. Thus, Bungkulung is a living example of sustainable tourism. 

The heritage travel hub is not confined only to those mentioned. It has a lot of unexplored places under its jurisdiction. The Limbu people are very zealous to carry forward its great culture and history through rural tourism. You will find yourself in a very comfortable space here. The locals are not only cooperative but also proudly boast the culture of the land. 

Bungkulung is a land of slow travel. It is a place where you can feel the natural richness in its air. The subalpine forests form a veil of comfort around you as soon as you land your foot on the destination. The sound of chirping birds, the aroma of the cardamom fields and witnessing the magnificent sunrise while sipping the famous Darjeeling tea is like a dream come true for many. 

Bungkulung is an ecotourism hub with nature’s creativity at its best. The houses and the lawns filled with local flora and fauna, the vast paddy fields and the orange orchards at Rangbhang are a few of its many wonders. A visit to the Balasun river bank is a must. There stands an age-old cantilever hanging bridge over the Murmah Khola, a tributary of Balasun. It is one of the top photogenic spots. Apart from that, there are two tea gardens, namely, Gayabari Tea Garden and Murmah Tea Garden that have the perfect background for some amazing snapshots. You can also visit one of its tea factories and get first-hand experience with tea processing. 

There are numerous picnic spots and trekking points in and around Bungkulung if you wish to get adventurous. Visitors also enjoy angling in its rivers or simply taking a dip in the chilling Bungkulung waters and having some fun. Along with pisciculture, it is also famous for its floriculture. You can see the amazing nurseries and all the 19 pisciculture projects on your conservation travel trip to Bungkulung. If you are lucky, you can enjoy the cultural programs of the Limbu community that are held occasionally. 

Cultural tourism of the land is highlighted in such activities complementary to the gastronomical delights and hospitality of the locals. There are horse rides available that take you on a pleasing voyage across the paddy fields.

Bungkulung is located at an altitude of 2000 feet and it nestles in the river valley of Balasun. The topography is similar to that of the plains with hot summers and cold winters. The locals here enjoy good rainfall during the monsoon season.

Visit to Bungkulung is best during the winter season for those who are into photography tours. The orange gardens are in their best form during this season. Visitors also prefer to visit the responsible tourism hub during the rainy season.

The best and shortest route to visit Bungkulung from Siliguri is via Dudhia. The closest airport is Bagdogra and the closest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Junction. You can also take the Siliguri-Mirik road which takes approximately two-three hours to reach the destination. There are many Bungkulung tour packages available from the nearby tourist destinations if you wish to enjoy a hassle-free journey to Bungkulung.