Location:
East District, Sikkim
Altitude: 1,870m
Significance: Capital Of Sikkim.
Best Time To Visit: Mid- February To May End
& Mid - September To December
 Gangtok,
the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill made flat to build the
Gangtok monastery in 1716". Gangtok is a city, which, till one sees
it, one would believe exists only in picture-story books. In the
mystery-laden mists prayer flags whip in the breeze; wheels spin in the
hands of Lamas mumbling invocations to God, in the distance are the
snows, on the streets amidst brightly painted pagoda roofed houses,
lined with friendly smiling people are silver, silk and spice and
jewellery to gladden an maiden's heart, from across the seven seas are
gadget and goods to delight the collector of "imported goods',
while directly overlooking the city is the hill Lukshyma, the 'Mother of
Pearl' citadel of the magic mountain, Khang-Chen-Dzod-Nga.
An air of
enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley; the mysticism,
the stupas, the monasteries reach out as soon as one has crossed the
border. While across the hills and valleys comes the sounding of the
long trumpets by robed lamas.
PRIME
ATTRACTIONS
Tsuklakhang - The Royal Chapel
The Royal Chapel, Tsuklakhang, is within the palace grounds.
Popularly called Tsulakhang royal. It is the principal place of worship
and assembly and the repository of a vast collection of Buddhist
scriptures.
" Dul-Dul
Chorten" - "Jhang Club Chortan"
Sikkim has commemorated, with Stupas, both the Buddha and one of his
followers of today. Near the Deorali Bazaar, are two exquisite Stupas,
the "Dul-dul-Chorten", was built to commemorate the victory of
good over evil; the "Jhang Club Chorten" was built to
perpetuate the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Thrul-shik
rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha and one of his best interpreters
died in 1962, the Stupa immortalises Rimpoche in the land of his birth.
Research
Institute Of Tibetology
In the serene
surrounding amidst forest of oak, ash and birch is an organisation to
advance the Tibetan language and its literature on the "Enlightened
one", the only one of its kind in the world of Mahayana Buddhism.
This institute is a premier institute in the world that conducts
research in the language and culture of Tibet. It has on its faculty
eminent scholars. The library and museum of the institute are open to
the public on working days from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and are closed on
Sundays and other govt. holidays.
Government
Institute Of Cottage Industries
This institute is located at about half a kilometre uphill from the
main market of Gangtok. It was established with the purpose of promoting
the manufacture and sale of local handicrafts. Thankas (also spelt as
Thangkas), hand carved wooden tables - known as Choksees and exquisitely
woven woolen carpets.
More than hundred
student workers turn out cottage crafts produced here, with textures,
plush and exotic, the designs varying from sophisticated simplicity to a
brilliant riot of varmillion pitted against intense blue, are durable
and popular all over the world second to carpets in popularity is
Sikkimese Tankhas, variegated appliqué work Batiks and exquisite dolls,
in wood-work are available intricately carved Sikkimese tables,
hand-painted masks, lamp-stands, shades and bamboo-craft. Esoteric
masks, flashing silks, opulent brocades and embroidered boots, clothe
the Sikkimese dancers.
Tashi View
Point
Situated along the North Sikkim highway it is only 8-km from
Gangtok. From this point one can get a breathtaking view of Mount
Khangchendzonga and Mt. Siniolchu, one of the most graceful peaks in the
world.
Ganesh Tok
It is situated on a ridge and is only 7-km from Gangtok. From this
spot one gets birds view of sprawling Gangtok town down below while
across the hills Mt. Khangchendzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the
horizon. A cafeteria serves hot tea/coffee and snacks.
Hanuman Tok
It is 11-km from Gangtok town, above Ganesh Tok with a Hindu temple
where the devotees come and offer prayers.
Deer Park
Adjacent to the new secretariat and also called the Rustomji Park
named after one of the Dewans of the Chogyal of Sikkim, the park has a
big open enclosure in which animals native to Sikkim like the red panda
and the Himalayan Bear are kept. A big statue of Lord Buddha
commemorating his preachings of the noble truths in the Deer Park at
Sarnath adorns the park premises. A butter lamp perpetually burns in
front of the statue, which is surrounded with flowers of exotic variety.
The park commands a fantastic view of the hills, surrounding Gangtok.
White Hall
It was built in 1932 in memory of the first political officer of
Sikkim, Claude White. There is an Officers Club and a Badminton Court in
the white hall.
The Ridge
The ridge is a small stretch of plain and flat road above the town
of Gangtok. It is just about five minutes walk from the main market. The
ridge has the white hall and the chief minister's official residence on
one end and the beautifully designed palace gate on the other. The ridge
is lined with plants and trees when in bloom are a riot of colours.
Flower shows, which attract tourists from all over the world are held
just below the ridge.
The Ipecac
Garden
This 6 acres garden is about 14-km downhill from Gangtok and 2-km
from Ranipul. It is named after the plant Ipecac that is grown here.
Besides this plant, it also contains a wide variety of other flora
including numerous types of orchids and medicinal plants. It is a very
good picnic spot with a swimming pool nearby.
Changu Lake
With an average depth of 50 ft, this lake is situated 35 km from
Gangtok at an altitude of 12,000 ft on the Gangtok - Nathu-la highway.
Recently this lake has been opened for tourists. Its cool, placid water
is in the perfect harmony with the scenic beauty around. A small temple
of Lord Shiva is constructed on the lakeside. Primulae flowers and other
alpine vegetation grow wild around the lake. The department of Tourism
conducts package tours to this lake. Cameras are not allowed to carry on
this route.
Menmecho Lake
Menmecho Lake lies 20-km ahead of Changu Lake, cradled between the
mountains below Jelapla Pass, is the source of River Ranpochu, which
meets Teesta at Rangpo. It is rich in trout. A Dak Bungalow and a
tourist lodge are available for overnight stay.
Kechopari Lake
On bifurcation road between Gyalsing
and Yoksum, is clear water Kechopari Lake (means - wishing lake). All
around are mountains with dense forests and wild life. It is so placid,
crystal clear that not a leaf can be seen floating over it, because it
is immediately lifted by birds.
Kabi Longstok
25-km from Gangtok, just before Phodong is Kabi Longstok. There is a
spot amidst tall trees, where the treaty of brotherhood between, the
Lepcha Chieftan - Tetong Tek and the Tibetan chief Khye Bhumsa was
signed.
Yumthang Hot
Springs
At an altitude of 12,000 ft, 135-km from Gangtok in north Sikkim, a
few hundred metres off the road, after crossing river Lachung over a
pedestrian bridge lies these Sulphur springs. There is a hut with two
pools for bathing.
Yumthang
Yumthang is a grazing pasture with a forest rest house, surrounded
by vertical mountains. The route to Yumthang from Lachung, adjoining the
Singba Forest Reserve has a very picturesque landscape and is lined with
Rhododendrons, which bloom in May.
Yaksey
Yaksey, a tourist lodge, 6-km from Lachung towards Yumthang is an
ideal place for tourists to this area. Another 23-km leads to
Yumey-Samdong hot springs near river Sebu-Chu at the foot of Donkia-La
pass, which connects Lachung valley to Lachen valley.
Phurchachu
Reshi Hot Springs
Around 25-km from Gyalsing, near Reshi, after crossing Rangeet River
(also spelt as Ranjit) by a pedestrian bridge, hardly ten minutes from
the highway is Phurchachu springs with medicinal properties, ideal for
skim diseases. These springs are considered holy as one of the four holy
caves is located here. This holy cave is called the "Kadosangphu"
or 'Cave of the occult fairies' and lies on the south of the four
cardinal points
EXCURSIONS
Rumtek Monastery Visible
from Gangtok, a 24-km road trip southwest of the capital, the large
Gompa of Rumtek is the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage - founded
during the 12th century by the first Gyalwa Karmapa, Dusun Khyenpa.
more...
Phoodong
Monastery This monastery
is located about a kilometre above the North Sikkim Highway about 40-km
away from Gangtok. Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal built the monastery sometime
in the first quarter of the 18th century.
Labrang
Monastery A kilometre further from Phodong, the Labrang monastery
was built about 100 years later. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa
sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the same as that of Pemayangtse monastery in
West Sikkim. Its name translates simply as the dwelling place of the
Lamas (monks).
HOW TO GET
THERE
Air: The
closest airport is at Bagdogra, which is 124-km from Gangtok (about 4
hours drive) and connected by air with all-important Indian Metros. For
all further details please contact any one of the Sikkim tourism
offices.
Rail: The
nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri, which is 125-km (about 4 hours
drive) from Gangtok. NJP is well connected with all major cities of
India. Gangtok, railway bookings can be made at the booking counter of
the Sikkim nationalised transport terminus.
Road: Gangtok
is connected with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri by the national
highway 31 A. the Sikkim nationalised transport plies regular bus
services between Gangtok and Siliguri and within Sikkim. Private buses,
jeeps and taxis are also available from Siliguri and Bagdogra. Bookings
can be made at the SNT terminus, Siliguri.
PLACES TO STAY
Gangtok has quite
good hotels for a comfortable stay. There are youth hostels and various
lodges, which give tourists a comfortable stay in Gangtok. Hotels
in Gangtok
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