Hill Station Honeymooner’s Delight Beaches Wild Life Waterfalls Nightlife in Metro Kids Fun Places

Gangtok

''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', ''

Gangtok is situated at an altitude of 1437 meters above the main sea level. There is hardly any plateau in Gangtok and the entire place is located on different steps at various levels which add a special dimension to the view of the place. The word “Gangtok” has been derived from the Tibetan word for “hillside”. Although Sikkim has taken pains to preserve its history, ancient traditions, culture as well as historic monuments which are of religious significance to them, at the same time, it has taken care to keep pace with the modern age by building hospitals, wide roads and other modern amenities that the new age citizen wishes to have.

PLACES AROUND GANGTOK

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.

Dul-Dul Chorten - Duddul Chortenat Dotapu Chorten, Gangtok was built under the supervision of the late Most Venerable Trulshi Rinpoche after due preparations in 1945-46, in accordance with the prophecy made in 1944 by the Holiness the Dud-Zom Rinpoche.

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.

Kangchendzonga National Park - Crossing a check gate where visitors entry permits was checked, one enters the Kangchendzonga National Park. The climb is gradual but very interesting as soon one is greeted by snow, lying white and pristine over the green forest floor and covering a few treetops.

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.

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.

Lachung - Another significant entry in the list of top places to visit in Gangtok is Lachung. The road from Chungthang toward Lachung takes one into another world. This is the area inhabited by the Lachungpas, a hardy mountain people who consider themselves quite different from the Bhutias and the Tibetans.

Best time to visit Gangtok

Located at the laps of the Himalayan mountain range, Gangtok experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year. Its average summer temperature varies between 21 and 13 degrees C while during winters, the minimum temperature can drop below freezing point. The city receives an average annual rainfall of 3894mm. The best tourist season to visit the city is between April to mid-June and mid-September to November.

HOW TO REACH THERE

Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra in North Bengal which is 124 kms and approximately 5 hrs. drive from Gangtok. Bagdora has regular Indian Airlines Services from Calcutta and Delhi and also within the North East.

Rail: The two closest railway stations are Siliguri (114 kms.) and New Jalpaiguri (125 kms) connecting Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati, Lucknow and other important cities in India.

Road: Gangtok is connected by road with Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and other centres and also with all the district headquarters within Sikkim. The Sikkim Nationalised Transport plies regular bus services linking these places.