PedongHeight above mean sea level 1,240 m

hill town · Kalimpong and Neora

A small town on the old mule road to Jelep La

Best Mar – Apr · Oct – Dec0–1 nights

Pedong is a small ridge town at about 1,240 m, 20–22 km east of Kalimpong, on the old trade route to Jelep La and Tibet. It has a Bhutanese-era monastery of 1706, a French mission church, Cross Hill and nearby Damsang Fort, and is the start of the Silk Route drive into Sikkim.

Pedong sits on a ridge about an hour's drive east of Kalimpong, on the road that runs on to the Reshi river and the Sikkim border at Rhenock. It looks like any small hill bazaar: a main street of shops, schools and taxi stands. But for two centuries it lay on one of the most important trade routes in the Himalaya, the mule road from Kalimpong to Jelep La and on to Tibet's Chumbi Valley and Lhasa.

That history left layers. Sangchen Dorjee Gompa, also called Pedong Monastery, dates from the Bhutanese period, around 1706. Catholic priests of the Paris Foreign Missions, waiting for a chance to enter Tibet, founded a mission here in the 1880s, and one of them, Father Augustine Desgodins, raised a cross on the hill above in 1882. A short distance away, Damsang Fort is linked in Lepcha tradition to Gaeboo Achyok, the Lepcha chief who resisted Bhutan.

Most travellers see Pedong in a half-day from Kalimpong, or pass through on the Silk Route toward Zuluk. It is worth an unhurried stop: quiet streets, a working monastery, a church still in use and views from Cross Hill toward the Sikkim ranges. Sillery Gaon and Ramdhura make good overnight bases close by.

Don't miss

Highlights of Pedong

Sangchen Dorjee Gompa

Founded around 1706 in the Bhutanese period, Pedong's monastery is one of the oldest in the district. Its old prayer hall, murals and quiet courtyard are worth an hour, and it hosts an annual masked cham dance.

Cross Hill

Above the town, a cross raised in 1882 by the French missionary Augustine Desgodins marks Cross Hill. The short climb gives wide views over the Pedong ridge toward the Sikkim hills and the old route to Jelep La.

Sacred Heart Church

The Catholic mission begun by French priests in the 1880s still has its church in Pedong, used by the local community. Visit quietly outside service times and respect the congregation.

Damsang Fort nearby

Between Pedong and Algarah, the ruins of Damsang Fort stand in forest on a ridge. Lepcha tradition links them to Gaeboo Achyok, who resisted Bhutanese rule in the late 17th century.

Gateway to the Silk Route

From Pedong the road drops to the Reshi river and the Sikkim border at Rhenock, the start of the Old Silk Route drive via Rongli to Zuluk, which needs Sikkim permits.

Told in the hills

French priests at the gate of Tibet

In the 19th century, Tibet was closed to Western missionaries. The Paris Foreign Missions Society, which had priests in western China, tried again and again to reach it from the south. In the early 1880s Father Augustine Desgodins, who had already spent years on Tibet's eastern borders, settled at Pedong, the last good stop on the road to Jelep La, and began a mission among the Lepcha and other hill people.

In 1882 he raised a cross on a hill above the town, as a memorial to missionaries headed for Tibet. Cross Hill keeps that name today. The mission church, the Sacred Heart Church, still serves a Catholic community in Pedong. The priests never established a lasting presence in Tibet, but Pedong became, for a while, a meeting point of the French, Lepcha, Bhutanese and Tibetan worlds, all on the same mule road.

Pinned to the board

Did you know

Pedong's Sangchen Dorjee Gompa dates from around 1706, when this area was ruled by Bhutan.

Father Augustine Desgodins, a French missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions, raised the cross on Cross Hill above Pedong in 1882.

Pedong was a stop on the Kalimpong–Jelep La trade route to Tibet, which closed after the 1962 India–China war.

Things to do

Four ways to spend a day in Pedong

Sangchen Dorjee Gompa, Pedong's 1706 monastery

1 hour Sangchen Dorjee Gompa, Pedong's 1706 monastery Pedong · Free; donations welcome

Cross Hill and the French mission story

1–1.5 hours Cross Hill and the French mission story Pedong · Free

Down to the Reshi river on the old trade road

Half day Down to the Reshi river on the old trade road Pedong · Car ₹2,000–3,000 for the half day, indi…

Pedong bazaar walk and morning tea

1–1.5 hours Pedong bazaar walk and morning tea Pedong · ₹100–300 for tea and snacks, indicative

Getting there

How to reach Pedong

Shared jeepShared jeeps run from Kalimpong's motor stand to Pedong through the day, about ₹60–100 a seat, indicative for 2026, taking about an hour. Some jeeps continue toward Rhenock and Sikkim. From Siliguri, change at Kalimpong or take an occasional direct jeep via Algarah.

Reserved carA reserved car from Kalimpong costs about ₹1,500–2,200 one way or about ₹2,500–3,500 for a half-day round trip with Pedong, Damsang and Sillery Gaon, indicative for 2026. From NJP or Bagdogra, expect about 3.5–4 hours and ₹4,000–5,500 per car.

Rail / AirBagdogra (IXB) is the nearest airport and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) the main railhead, both reached via Siliguri. Pakyong airport in Sikkim is closer as the crow flies, but flights there have been irregular; check current status.

Kalimpong to Pedong

Costs in Pedongindicative, 2026

Shared jeep Kalimpong → Pedong₹60–100 a seat, indicative, 2026
Half-day car Kalimpong–Pedong–Damsang₹2,500–3,500, indicative, 2026
Monastery and church visitsFree; donations welcome
Guesthouse room in Pedong₹1,200–2,500 per room night, indicative, 2026
Tea and snacks in the bazaar₹50–150, indicative, 2026

Fares and fees change with fuel prices, season and local union rates. Check current rates before you travel.

Money-saving tip

Take the shared jeep from Kalimpong to Pedong for under ₹100 and hire a local taxi in Pedong only for the short hops to Cross Hill, Damsang and Sillery Gaon, instead of a full car from Kalimpong.

Where to stay

Sleeping in Pedong

Pedong has a few small guesthouses and lodges in and around the bazaar, simple and inexpensive, and homestays on the surrounding slopes. Most travellers prefer to stay in the nearby villages: Sillery Gaon, about 8 km away at about 1,830 m, for mountain views and pine forest, or Ramdhura and Icchey Gaon on the Kalimpong side. For comfort and heritage hotels, stay in Kalimpong, an hour away, and visit Pedong as a half-day trip.

On the map

Drawn by Darjeeling Tour Plan from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Next stations

Near Pedong

All of Kalimpong

Sillery Gaon1,830 m

A ridge-top homestay village above Pedong with big Kanchenjunga views

Village · best Mar – Apr · Oct – Dec · 1–2 nights

Algarah

Algarah1,780 m

The road junction above Kalimpong, with Damsang Fort in the forest

Hill town · best Mar – Apr · Oct – Dec · 0–1 nights

Kalimpong1,250 m

A trade town on a ridge above the Teesta

Hill town · best Mar – May · Oct – Dec · 2 nights

Icchey Gaon1,770 m

A small homestay village of forest trails, birds and mountain views

Village · best Mar – Apr · Oct – Dec · 1–2 nights

Questions people ask

Pedong: questions answered

How far is Pedong from Kalimpong

Pedong is about 20–22 km east of Kalimpong, around an hour by road via Algarah. Shared jeeps run through the day for about ₹60–100 a seat, and a reserved car costs about ₹1,500–2,200 one way, indicative for 2026. It makes an easy half-day trip from Kalimpong.

What is Pedong famous for

Pedong is known for Sangchen Dorjee Gompa, a monastery of about 1706, Cross Hill with its 1882 cross raised by a French missionary, the Sacred Heart Church, and nearby Damsang Fort. It is also the gateway to the Silk Route into East Sikkim and lies on the old Kalimpong–Jelep La trade route.

Should I stay in Pedong or Sillery Gaon

For views and a village atmosphere, stay in Sillery Gaon, about 8 km away at about 1,830 m, with pine forest and Kanchenjunga on clear mornings. Pedong suits those who want to be on the main road with shops and transport. Many travellers visit Pedong by day and sleep in Sillery Gaon.

Is Pedong on the Silk Route

Yes. Pedong is where many Silk Route trips start: the road goes down to the Reshi river, crosses into Sikkim at Rhenock, and climbs via Rongli and Lingtam to Zuluk. Historically, the trade route from Kalimpong to Jelep La also passed through Pedong. Zuluk needs special Sikkim permits.

What is the best time to visit Pedong

October to December and March to May are best, with dry roads and clear mornings. Winter is cool but pleasant at Pedong's altitude of about 1,240 m. The monsoon, from June to September, brings landslides on the roads to Pedong and Rhenock. Pedong's traditional agricultural fair is held around late February.

Can foreigners visit Pedong

Yes. Pedong is in Kalimpong district, West Bengal, and needs no special permit. Foreign nationals can visit freely. Going beyond into Sikkim requires a Sikkim permit, available at the Rangpo and Melli checkposts and some other points, and Zuluk is generally closed to foreigners. Check current status before you travel.

Are there hotels in Pedong

Pedong has a few small guesthouses and lodges with basic rooms at modest rates, and homestays in nearby villages. There are no large or luxury hotels. For comfort, stay in Kalimpong and visit Pedong by day; for views and a homestay, stay in Sillery Gaon nearby.

What is Damsang Fort near Pedong

Damsang Fort, or Damsang Gadi, is a ruined stone fort on a forested ridge between Pedong and Algarah. Lepcha tradition links it to Gaeboo Achyok, a Lepcha chief who resisted Bhutan in the late 17th century, and dates its building to around 1690. It fell into ruin after the Duar War of 1864–65. A short forest walk leads to it.

Is Pedong safe for travellers

Yes. Pedong is a small, quiet town with friendly residents and little crime. The main risks are road-related: narrow, winding roads and landslides in the monsoon. Use registered taxis or shared jeeps, avoid driving after dark, and check road conditions in the rainy season.