Set at an altitude of 1,870m, this Sikkim fairytale capital is shrouded in cloud and nicely adjusted on the steep mountain slopes. Gangtok is a perfect hill resort, surrounded by lush rice terraces, fleetly flowing rivers and distant snow views. In recent years Gangtok has been grown as a major hill station and become a bustling capital city. The main city center is much noisier and crowded like any other cities of India. but when moving away from town, the hue changes dramatically.

Gangtok was actually a hill, which made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716. The city is most of the time covered with cloud, prayer flag whip in the breeze, Buddhist monks mumbling while prayer wheel spin on their hand. The houses are brightly painted and pagoda roofed but the signature aspect is the people out here who are charming, helpful and always smiling. Gangtok is a transit hub and few places in Sikkim where travelers get all the modern facilities. Most of the travelers stay here for couple of days while traveling down to scenic villages of Pelling or Yuksom. Gangtok is very popular among because of Rumtek monastery as well as Chaggu/ Tsomgo Lake and those places can be reached by jeep takes about 2 hours.

Sights And Activities

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
Established in 1958 to promote research into Mahayana Buddhism, this vast institute houses the largest collections of Buddhist books and manuscripts. The institute also preserve exquisite thangkas and sacred objects. If you are interested in Tibetan and Buddhist study, it is a treasure trove where you can find rare collections of Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts. It is renowned worldwide center for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion.

Enchey Gompa And Viewpoint
Established in 1909, this monastery is surrounded by dense conifers high above Gangtok city. It is one of the oldest monasteries of the region and houses fantastic murals and statues of tantric deities. In the month of December/January Dtor Chaam, a colorful masked dance is celebrated with much fanfare. From this gompa there are number of places can be visited. One of the popular place is Ganesh Tok Viewpoint, from here you can have a superb city views, there is also a cool cafe parlor. Across the road there is Himalayan Zoological Park that is a home to red pandas, Himalayan bears and snow leopards. The best place to view mighty Kanchenjunga peak is from Tashi Viewpoint at the northwest edge of town.

Government Institute of Cottage Industries
The place produces crafts in authentic Sikkimese designs. Other than that it also produces hand woven Tibetan carpets, Sikkimese table called “Choktse”, which are richly colored in red and gold, hand made rice paper is also produced.

Adventure Sports
Gangtok is a well renowned place for number of treks. Treks follow through the path of virgin forest and deep river valleys while little stop to ancient monasteries. Treks start from Gangtok and pass through the beautiful villages of Pelling and Yuksom and end to Dzongri and Kanchenjunga ranges. Although only one high altitude trek is possible in the region, there are several low altitude treks offer opportunities for trekkers to enjoy the landscapes, waterfalls and forests.

Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek monastery is not only a Gompa but actually a huge complex and you can call it a whole village within a village. It consist of Buddhist schools, religious buildings and even lodges for travelers. It was constructed in the memory of Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet, which was destroyed during China’s cultural revolution. Drupchen is the most famous festival celebrated here during the month of May and two days before Losar (Tibetan New Year) when you can also catch traditional lhamo (Tibetan Opera) performances.

Shopping In Gangtok
Gangtok is shopper’s paradise. There are number of prime locations such as Old Market, New Market and Lal Market where you can find good range of carved, furniture, traditional dresses, hand made bags, carpets, wooden and bamboo artifacts, carved dragon jewelery sets in silver and gold inlaid with precious stones, and Sikkim tea, which is grown in Temi Tea Estate.

Festivals In Sikkim

• Bumchu - (January/February, Tashiding Gompa)
• Losar – February/ March, Pemayangtse holds biggest chaam dance
• Khachoedpairi Mela - March/April, Khecheopairi Lake
• Drupchen - May/June, Rumtek
• Saga Dawa – May/June, all monastery town
• Phang Lhabsol – August/September, Ralang
• Diwali -October/November, widespread
• Teesta Tea Tourism Festival – December, Gangtok and Rumtek
• Losoong – December/ January, old Rumtek, Lingdum, Phodong