Not your usual Kolkata trip: 5 rare and unconventional experiences every traveller should try

Kolkata is celebrated as one of the iconic cities in India rooted in legendary tales. Besides Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial, the city has an unexplored and unconventional side that rewards offbeat travellers. Beyond its street food fame lies a city full of immersive, emotional and spiritual experiences waiting to be explored. If you’re someone in search of off the beaten path kind of experiences, here are five unconventional, travel-centric things to do in Kolkata.

Kumartuli is often known as the hidden beauty of North Kolkata. It is unlike any tourist attraction and is a living workshop where artisans craft clay idols especially for the most celebrated festival of West Bengal, Durga Puja. As you step inside, you’ll be transported to a bygone era where the open-air studio concept prevailed. You’ll notice streets lined up with half-finished sculptures of the goddesses and witnessing the entire idol-making process is a deeply immersive cultural experience.

For some of the best Chinese food in Kolkata, you need to visit Tiretta Bazaar, which happens to be the city’s old Chinatown. If you arrive before sunrise, you can relish some steaming momos, baos, and wonton soup. This is prepared and served by Indo-Chinese families. Remember to reach on time as the market operates only for a few hours in the morning. It is a rare experience for travellers offering a glimpse into Kolkata’s multicultural roots.

Located right under the Howrah Bridge, Mallick Ghat Flower Market market is every photographer’s dream experience. It is advised to visit early in the morning to see heaps of marigolds, roses, and jasmine in the market. It’s a blast of colours, energetic bargaining, and photogenic travelling chaos.

Kolkata’s tram rides feel otherworldly! It immediately transports people to black and white era when the city was still called Calcutta. Asia’s oldest electric tram system, it offers a slow-paced journey through colonial-era neighbourhoods and colourful markets. This is one of those unconventional Kolkata experiences which encourages you to slow down and observe the true beauty of an old city.

Kolkata is a paradise for book lovers. Every bibliophile’s dream destination, College Street is famous as one of the world’s largest second-hand book markets. It is spread for nearly a kilometre featuring over thousands of stalls. The legendary cafés like the Indian Coffee House is another charming feature of the place, perfect for travellers wanting to experience the cultural side of the city.