The name meaning hill-top, Gangtok stands amid the enchanting travel destinations in Sikkim. With a precise amount of cultural identity blended with urbanization, Gangtok is an astounding place that houses various attractions. The mighty peaks of Khangchendzonga, perplexing waters of Tsomgo Lake, pristine monasteries and the beguiling valleys are the identity of the land of Gangtok. Over the years & due to development, Gangtok has been unfolded as a tourist destination. The holidaymakers and the devotees from the different corners of the country throng to Gangtok. If you also have some plans to spend a relaxed time in Gangtok then do not forget to take a look at this quick guide.
Located in a serene ambiance, Rumtek Monastery is the revered shrine for the followers of Buddhism. This enchanting monastery belongs to the Kargyu sect of the Buddhists that started to live in Tibet in the early 12th century. Rumtek Monastery is also known by the name of Dharmachakra Center. Rumtek Monastery stands amid one of the holiest monasteries in Gangtok & is visited by a large number of devotees as well as tourists.
Shrouded amid the snow-capped peaks, Nathula Pass is the chief corridor of the pathway that connects India with Tibet. This corridor is also known as the gully to the historic silk-route. The passage of Nathula is guarded by the armed force of India & can be accessed only after obtaining a written permission. Due to its higher-altitude location, Nathula Pass is also known as a popular trekking destination in Gangtok.
Encircled by the towering mountains, the Tsomgo Lake is a beguiling glacial lake in Sikkim. The turquoise blue backwaters of this lake are truly enchanting as they provide an ethereal pleasure to the visitors. The interesting facts about this lake are that it freezes during the extreme winter months and also changes its color according to the seasons. This super-natural quality of Tsomgo Lake makes helps the Buddhist clairvoyants to predict the prophecies.
Hanuman Tok, as its name suggests, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Sikkim. Perched on a hill-top, this alluring Hindu shrine never fails to lure the tourists as it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains of the Kanchenjunga. Hanuman Tok is a serene attraction in Sikkim that can be reached by covering a short trek of 2-3 kilometers.
Beckoned by the snow-laden peaks of the mighty Khangchendzoga, the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is a natures bounty that rests in Sikkim. Endowed with the beauty of nature in the form of delightful valleys & exuberant fauna, it is a frequented travel attraction. This biosphere reserve houses the endangered mammalian species like the snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr etc. The activities like snow-safari and trekking can be enjoyed in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.
Hemmed in the lofty Rangit Valley, Namchi is a serene Buddhist pilgrimage destination in Gangtok. The tranquil ambiance of Namchi ensnares the visitors on a large scale especially on the occasion of Losar. All the monasteries, especially Shedrup Choling monastery, Ngadak monastery & Dichen Choling monastery that are located near Namchi are ornamented beautifully & shouldnt be missed while visiting Gangtok.
Khangchendzonga, standing at an enormous height of 28,169 feet, is the third highest mountain peak in the world. This whopping mountain range beckons the regions of Nepal & Sikkim and is also considered as sacred by the locals of Nepal & Sikkim. Undeniably, Khangchendzonga is the prime attraction in Sikkim and captivates the sight of the visitors. Interestingly, no successful attempts have been made to scale its vivacious heights till date.
Do Drul Chorten in a magnificent and pristine site located in the valleys of Gangtok. The foundation stone of this pilgrimage destination was laid by Guru Rinpoche, the religious figurine in Buddhism. Do Drul Chorten boasts 108 prayer wheels that are inscribed with the holy Tibetan verses. Hundreds of Buddhist monks & devotees swarm to this place and pay their respects to Guru Rinpoche
Tsuk La Khang Monastery is a royal monastery located in the palace bearing the same name. The interiors of this royal monastery are bedecked with the idols and sculptures that are carved out of precious metals. One can see the marvelous idol of Buddha along with other spiritual leaders of Buddhism inside the monastery. This monastery is visited by the Buddhist devotees, monks and the tourists on a large scale.
The flower exhibition center is a well-known attraction located in Gangtok. It houses the exotic plant species like blue venda, celosia, chrysanthemum etc. One can witness the amazing plants & herbs that gloat different medicinal qualities. All the plants that are kept on display for the exhibitors are properly described. The visitors are allowed to click pictures of the beautiful flowers that are displayed at the exhibition.
Saramsa Garden is a frequented tourist attraction located in Sikkim. The vast expanse of the garden houses exuberant flora that includes some rare plant species and is hemmed with palm trees. The alluring Saramsa Garden is fed by the waters of the River Rani that flows nearby. The visitors can click the pictures of the flowers but arent allowed to pluck any of them. Every-day, this enchanting garden is visited by numerous people including the tourists.
Himalayan Zoological Park is a popular attraction that was established to preserve the wildlife in Gangtok. Surrounded by the lower foothills of Khangchendzonga, this zoological park is a residence to different species of animals like leopard, macaque, langur, Himalayan cat, black bear, red panda and Tibetan wolf etc. The zoological park is managed by the Forest Department of Sikkim & is swarmed by a large number of visitors.
Banjhakri Falls is a tantalizing destination in Sikkim. It is the place where the waters spill down from a height of 100 feet. Endowed with green surroundings, it has emanated as a popular picnic destination in Gangtok. Banjhakri Falls are visited by numerous people on a daily basis as it is an alluring destination where one gets to relax amid nature.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is the perfect destination for those who want to explore the Tibetan-Buddhist culture. This marvelous amenity gives a chance to take a closer look at the inscriptions, paintings, verses and relics of the holy Tibetan leaders. The young monks from all over Tibet throng to Namgyal Institute of Tibetology & grasp more knowledge about the culture.
Pemayangtse Monastery is an ancient monastery located in Sikkim. This alluring shrine was erected in the early 17th century by Lama Lhatsun Chempo. The monastery is built with a scenic backdrop of snow-capped mountains on two sides. It also houses the idols of the different lineage Gurus. Pemayangtse Monastery is swarmed by hundreds of Tibetan monks especially during the festival of Cham-Cham dance.
Khecheopalri Lake is a tantalizing lake that is located in Gangtok. This lake is considered as holy by the followers of Buddhism as well as Hinduism. According to the legends, this lake was formed after Lord Shiva stomped at that place. Today, it is revered as a pilgrimage destination in Sikkim. The alluring location of Khecheopalri Lake has been recognized as a popular tourist site that is thronged by hundreds of visitors.
The valley of Yumthang is an astounding destination in Sikkim. This amazing valley is hemmed in the alluring foothills of the Himalayas and fed by the waters of River Teesta. The serene ambiance of Yumthang Valley is captivating enough & never fails to lure the tourists. It is also described as the Valley of Flowers in Sikkim because of the variety of flowers that bloom here. The people can enjoy the venture of trekking in Yumthang Valley.
Fed by the waters of the River Lachen, Lachung is a picturesque establishment located in Sikkim. Lachung shares its borders and culture with Tibet. It also serves as the place where the Indian army has its base. Though the army area cannot be visited, there are different attractions in Lachung like the hills of Bhutia clan that are frequented by the visitors on a large scale.
Tantalizing, perplexing, ethereal & as many adjectives you can think of describe the beauty of Gangtok. Right from the beautiful nature to the alluring monasteries, the settlement of Gangtok entices the visitors on a large scale. Over the years, a lot of developments have taken place in its region that has helped it to come up as a tourist destination in Sikkim. Gangtok is well-connected with the other parts of the country by roadways, railways, and airways, so, would you like to pay a visit to Gangtok?