Bhutia Busty Monastery, properly called Karma Dorje Chyoling, is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the Darjeeling hills, dating from the 18th century. It sits on a steep slope below Chowrasta, reachable by a short but steep walk from the town centre. The monastery is Karma Kagyu in lineage, and the murals inside — particularly the Wheel of Life painted above the entrance — are exceptional.
The monastery is quiet and welcoming to visitors outside prayer times. Monks will often explain the iconography if asked politely. The views from the courtyard across the valley toward Kanchenjunga are among the best in town. Go in the morning, when the light hits the mountains from the east and the mist is still in the valleys below.