Gangtok Tourism

Tourist Places in Gangtok

Gangtok has innumerable numbers of tourist spots. The historical places, parks and wildlife sanctuaries, lakes and falls, monasteries and temples all make Gangtok a place worth visiting. Some of them are:

Kabi Lungchok

Kabi Lungchok is located around 17 kms towards north of Gangtok. It is an ancient historical place in Gangtok where the Sikimese history is said to have initially started in the 13th century.

Tsuklakhang Palace

Also called Tsuklakhang Royal Chapel and Monastery, Tsuklakhang Palace is a Buddhist palatial monastery situated at Gangtok. It is located in the complex of the royal palace and is the imperial Gompa of the erstwhile royal family.

Tsongmo Lake

Tsomgo Lake is situated 40 km from Gangtok. Also known as the Changu lake, the lake is oval shaped glacial lake and is regarded sacred by the people. The lake is home to Brahmini ducks and is a stopover for various migratory ducks.

Ban Jhakri Falls

Ban Jhakri falls is situated 4 km from Gangtok. It is an energy park and a shamatic theme park located on the route to Ranka monastery at Gangtok.

Bakthang Falls

Situated 3 km from Gangtok, Bakthang Falls is a splendid place for nature lovers. The fall originates from Ratey Chu, the main water source of Gangtok area.

Fambong Lho Sanctuary

Fambong Lho Sanctuary is one of the important tourist spots in Gangtok. It is situated 25 kms from the Gangtok town. The terrain of the sanctuary is hilly and the elevation starts from 1524 metres and then varies accordingly.

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary

Located 31 km east of Gangtok adjacent to the Tsomgo Lake, the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is another splendid sanctuary in Gangtok. The Sanctuary covers an area of 31 sq km and the altitude ranges from 3292m -4116 m.

Himalayan Zoological Park

Himalayan Zoological park is situated at Bulbuley, Gangtok. The Park is first of its kind in the Northeast designed with the concept of the modern zoo that the animals have been kept in simulated natural conditions. The park was established in 1991 and is in the infant stage now.

Sikkim Deer Park

Sikkim Deer park is also known as Rustamji park. The Park is located on a ridge at the side of the New Secretariat in Gangtok. The park was established in 1950s and was named after Rustamji who was one amongst the dewans of the Chogyal of Sikkim.

Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Park

Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical park was established in 1987. The park is situated at an altitude ranging from of 1800-2200 metres and is situated adjoining the Rumtek Monastery and the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary.

Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek monastery is also called the Dharmachakra centre. The monastery is located at a distance of 24 kms from Gangtok and is the main seat of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim. Rumtek monastery is the largest monastery in Sikkim and is home to community of monks.

Enchey Monastery

Enchey monastery is located about 2 kms from Gangtok. It is one of the important Tibet monasteries in Gangtok. The monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa order. The Kanchendzonga range can be seen from here.

Hanuman Tok

Hanuman Tok is situated 5 km rising from White Hall on a bifurcating road of the Gangtok-Nathu La highway. A Hindu temple dedicated to lord Hanuman, the temple has been managed by a division of the Indian Army.

Ganesh Tok

Ganesh Tok is located uphill about 5 km from Gangtok. It is a small temple dedicated to lord Ganesha in Gangtok.

Shopping in Gangtok

If you are in Gangtok for shopping then get a huge bag ready. Shopping in Gangtok is a pleasurable activity as Gangtok has something for everyone to take back home some lovely souvenirs. MG Mark is the main street of Gangtok town lined with shops all around. You can shop stuffs like cloths, footwear, traditional jewellery, souvenir and gifts. Located at the end of the Tibet road is the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms which  has a large Sales Emporium from where you can pick handcrafted items and artwork. Also dont forget to visit Lal bazar to witness local people in their traditional outfits selling local products. Click here for more information on Hotels in Gangtok

Hotels in Gangtok

Hotels play an important part in encouraging tourism of Gangtok. Along with giving accommodation to the tourists these hotels in Gangtok also serve scrumptious food. Hotels in Gangtok like the Hotel The Royal Plaza, The Oriental, Hotel Tibet, Hotel Golden Heights, Delamere Hotel are the finest hotels in Gangtok one can hope to get good accommodation. Click here for more information on Hotels in Gangtok

Transport in Gangtok

The capital city Gangtok is well connected with the rest of India by the national highways. National highways 31A and 31 link Siliguri in West Bengal to Gangtok. Buses, jeeps and taxi services are available from Siliguri to Gangtok. Gangtok does not have a railway station and the nearest railway stations to Gangtok are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. By Air the nearest airport is Bagdogra airport near Siliguri in West Bengal located 124 km from Gangtok. Daily helicopter service is available from Gangtok to Bagdogra airport.

Also Read:

• Waterfalls and Lakes in Gangtok
• Historical Places in Gangtok
• Sanctuaries in Gangtok
• Religious Places in Gangtok