The park is named after the mountain Kangchenjunga, which is the third-highest peak in the world at 8,586 m (28,169 ft) tall.

It is one of the few high-altitude national parks of India and was designated a mixed-criteria UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2016.

[2] In the north, it adjoins Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet, and in the west Kanchenjunga Conservation Area in Nepal.

[3] The vegetation of the park include temperate broadleaf and mixed forests consisting of oaks, fir, birch, maple and willow.

[4] About 550 species of birds occur in the park including blood pheasant, satyr tragopan, osprey, Himalayan griffon, lammergeier, several species of green pigeon, Tibetan snowcock, snow pigeon, impeyan pheasant, Asian emerald cuckoo, sunbirds and eagles.