Samsing

Samsing is a small village in the area of Dooars, which is located in the Kalimpong subdivision of Darjeeling district in West Bengal. Situated at an elevation of around 3000 ft above sea level, Samsing is famous for its landscape, green tea gardens, hills and forests. Samsing is also a gateway to the famous Neora Valley National Park, which is 18 km from here.

The journey towards Samsing from the nearby region of Jalpaiguri takes around three hours by road that passes through the Tea Garden regions of Dooars and the Sevoke Bridge. Siliguri is also a nearby region of Samsing and is about 81 km via the route of Chalsa. Rivers and mountains are an essential part of the landscape of Samsing.

The food items and culture of Samsing depict the involvement of more than one religion.  Some of the popular foods here include momo and thukpa. Dance and songs are an integral part of the culture of Samsing. Dances here include the traditional dance forms like Jhaure, Chutkay and Maruni that have their origins from Nepal.

The other dance forms here include Tibetan Chaam, which involves the use of different traditional costumes and masks and is practised especially during the Tibetan New Year. The popular festivals celebrated here are Maghe Sankranti, the Nepali New Year’s day, Lhosar and the Tibetan New Year celebrated in the months of January and February.  

Several tea gardens surround the regions of Samsing and Dooars on both sides. The forest area of Samsing consists of several species of animals and plants. Some of the species found here include grey nightjar, greater racket-tailed drongo, orange-bellied leafbird, maroon oriole, greychinned, short-billed minivets, slaty-backed forktail, ashy bulbul, yellow-vented, golden-spectacled and chestnut crowned warblers, white-napped and black-chinned yuhinas.

River Murti is popular for its views of the lush green forest and the mountains. The Rocky Island Nature Resort situated on the banks of the River Murti is about 2 km from Samsing and is a popular camping site.  

Neora Valley National Park is located near Suntale Khola, which is a small stream. Many treks are organised close to this park including forest area, a steep ride to `Tree Fern Point` and `Mo Chaki` for getting a view of the Himalayas and the plains of Dooars on each side. The place also provides clear view of the hills of Bhutan and Jelep La Pass that joins Tibet with India. Faribasti village is another attraction near Suntale Khola.

Darjeeling is one of the nearby areas of Samsing and is popular hill station known for its special tea grown here.