Gangtok is a scenic town situated in the Eastern region of Sikkim. This capital town of Sikkim at an altitude of 1600 meters is blessed with temperate weather throughout the year making it one of the famous hill stations in North East India. Showcasing the panoramic vista of Mt Kanchenjunga looming above the hills surrounding Gangtok has mesmerized many travelers. The bustling streets of Gangtok, thriving with a lively spirit and vibrant colors add to its surreal beauty. The ever-growing Gangtok Tourism Places makes this capital town a must-visit in the entire state if you are planning to visit the North-Eastern part of India.
Best Gangtok Tourism Places
The tourist places in Gangtok are in abundance. This capital town is being visited by thousands of tourists every year to explore this scenic town which has a rich heritage, breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga, soothing weather, and more. Here are the following places that increase the tourism in Gangtok.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
One of the popular attractions in the city is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. It was built in the year 1958. The major motive of this institution is to help in studying Tibetan Buddhism and preserve it in-depth. Over here, tourists can enjoy the view of Tibetan Architecture and in the museum; they can see statues, thankas, coins, paintings, Sanskrit and Tibetan Manuscripts, and more.
Ganesh Tok
Ganesh Tok is one of the magnificent attractions and one of the most preferred among the tourists in the city. Dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the splendid architecture is quite captivating. Apart from its architecture, tourists will also have an alluring view of the Himalayan range. Spending time here will be a memorable one while enjoying the beauty of its Tibetan architecture and the backdrop view of nature. At an elevation of 6500 feet above sea level, Ganesh Tok is truly a worth visiting site.
Rumtek Monastery
There are very few monasteries that are as beautiful as Rumtek. It is approximately 24 km distance away from the main town of Gangtok. Founded in 1966 by the 16th Karmapa, the grand architecture and the colorful painting on the wall of the building are truly astonishing to watch. Also named as Dharmachakra Centre, this Buddhist religious site is considered to be one of the finest in the world and remains open to tourists from 9 am to 6 pm every day.
Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G Marg)
Visiting M.G Marg is a must for travelers who are planning to travel Gangtok and explore the tourism of it. One of the most happening roads in the city, M.G Marg lets the visitors experience the daily life of the locals, try the Tibetan cuisine, and have shopping. Visitors can enjoy the nightlife of the city while having a leisure walk, exploring the adjacent shops, and trying delicious Tibetan foods.
Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary
Stretching over an area of 51 km2 and just 30 km west of Sikkim, Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary is also considered to be an attractive place in Gangtok Tourism. This wildlife Sanctuary supports a large mammalian and avian fauna. Birds like hill partridge, rusty-fronted barwing, satyr tragopan, bar-throated minla, red-tailed minla, black-eared shrike babbler, fire-tailed myzornis, scaly laughing thrush, streak-breasted scimitar babbler, Yellow-browed tit, red-headed bullfinch, crimson-browed finch, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, and more can be sighted here. The worth noting mammals here are barking deer, Himalayan brown bear, red panda, takin, yellow-throated martin, etc.
Tsomgo Lake or Changu Lake
One of the magnificent lakes in the entire Sikkim, Tsomogo Lake is about a 40 km distance away from Gangtok. The glacial lake is 12,310 feet in height and surrounded by hills. Also known as Changu Lake, the deep blue water of it and the Himalayan range in the backdrop really offers a soothing view. On its shore, there is a Shiva Temple that attracts even the devotees of Bholenath along with tourists. The lake is also believed to be a sacred one as the surface of the lake shows different colors in different seasons. Local delicacies can also be tried from the food stalls near the lake.
Nathula Pass
In Gangtok Tourism Places, Nathula Pass is another must-visit spot. It is one of the highest motorable passes and also part of the Silk Route that link Sikkim with China's Tibet autonomous region. For those who seek solace amidst nature and want to behold the daunting hills, Natula Pass becomes a necessity for sure. By spending few hours here, visitors can truly enjoy the tranquil vibe of nature, fresh breeze and behold the scenic view of the snow-covered mountains along with the picturesque Chumbi valley of Tibet.
Enchey Monastery
Being one of the oldest monasteries (200 years), Enchey is another prime attraction here. The monastery was founded in the year 1909 and attracts tourists during the festival of "Cham" (mask dance) in the month of January. Enchey Monastery signifies a solitary monastery that means no other temples, monasteries, or constructions can be built or allowed near it. Every minute spent here will certainly be quite enjoyable due to its spectacular architecture, serene view of the hills and more.
Tashi Viewpoint
Approx. 8 km away from the main town, Tashi Viewpoint is one of the finest Gangtok Tourism Places. It offers a panoramic view of snow-peaked Kanchenjunga if the sky remains clear. The view of sunrise is also a breathtaking and truly a treat to the eyes. However, to witness the crimson sunrise, visitors have to reach the viewpoint before 5 am. On a clear day, Phodong and Labrang Monasteries can be seen in their full glory. To get a closer view of the mountains, surrounding lush green vegetation, and more, visitors can rent a Binocular by paying Rs-10 only. For the visitors, one resting shed has also been made along with a shop that offers tea and snacks.
Phodong Monastery
One of the prominent Gangtok Tourism places is Phodong Monastery. It is approximately a 30 km distance away from Gangtok and built during the 18th century making it one of the oldest in the region. Tourists will be amazed by seeing sculptures, paintings, and the architecture that make the monastery a complete one. The popular Cham dance is held annually where tourists are allowed to be the spectator.
Ban Jhakri Falls
The cascading water from a height of 100 feet makes Ban Jhakri falls one of the best places to visit in Gangtok. Just half an hour distance away from the city, spending every minute near Banjhakri will be filled with a scenic view, joy, and tranquility. The surrounding lush greenery helps in making the mind of the visitors to get refreshed. The gushing waterfall is also a quite popular picnic spot among the locals as well as tourists visiting Gangtok and its sightseeing places.
Do Drul Chorten
Built-in the year 1945-46 by Trulshik Rinpoche, leader of the Nyingma community, Do Drul Chorten is considered to be a historic site. Around the stupa, visitors can see 108 prayer wheels that have wish-conceding properties and also Chorten Lakahang and Guru Lakhang, where two statues of Guru Rinpoche are present. Those who seek peace and eager to know its history would love to visit this beautiful stupa which can accommodate more than 700 monks. According to the ancient legends, prior to the establishment of this monastery, the place was haunted by evil spirits. Later, the great Guru Rinpoche blessed the place, purging it of all evil.
Khecheopalri Lake
Originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri which means "the heaven of Padmasambhava", Khecheopalri is a soothing lake near Gangtok. Enclosed by lush greenery all around, it is a pilgrimage site and considered to be a holy one by both Buddhists and Hindus. The tranquil atmosphere and the mindboggling natural beauty make it one of the must-visit Gangtok Tourism Places. Being a pilgrimage site, it is also believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake. Legends say that for those who pray and sprinkle the water on themselves, their wishes are likely to come true. It is truly a paradise for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts.
Himalayan Zoological Park
Merely 3 km away from Gangtok, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is one of the best places to visit in Gangtok. At an altitude of 1780 meters, it is the home of wild endangered species including the captivating Red Panda. It is the largest high altitude zoo established in the year 1958 with a goal to preserve endangered wild animals. Snow leopard, Himalayan Wolf, Red panda, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, Himalayan monal, grey peacock pheasant, Himalayan salamander, blood pheasant, and satyr tragopan, etc are being bred here. Being a famous zoo in Gangtok, it attracts more than 300k visitors every year.
Baba Harbajan Shing Temple
At an elevation of 13, 123 feet, visiting Baba Harbajan Shing Temple should not be missed if travelers are planning to visit Gangtok. Widely known as Baba Mandir, it is situated between Nathula and Jelepla Pass. Named after the martyred Indian army soldier Harbajan Singh during the Sino-Indian War, Baba Mandir attracts thousands of tourists as well as devotees every year. It is believed that even after the death of Harbajan Singh, the spirit of him still protects and patrols at the border. After entering the village, visitors will get to see a huge photo of Harbajan Singh which is being worshiped.
Hanuman Tok
Just 2 km from the center of the city, Hanuman Tok is a famous Hindu religious site dedicated to Lord Hanuman. At an altitude of 7,200 feet, the temple offers a promising view of Kanchenjunga which is the third highest peak in the world. In the middle of the temple, there is a gigantic statue of Lord Hanuman that also provides a soothing view to the spectators. Moreover, due to its high elevation, tourists can also reach the temple before 5 am to catch a spectacular glimpse of sunrise looming over the mountain peaks. The surrounding view of the mountains along with the lush greenery makes the spectators completely awestruck.
How to Reach Gangtok, Sikkim
By Flight: The nearest airport to this capital town is Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Apart from that, the airport of Guwahati is another major airport located at a distance of around 550 km. Both of these two airports are nicely connected with many other airports in India. Visitors can board a flight to Bagdogra Airport and from here, directly rent a car from Bagdogra to Gangtok. North Bengal Tourism offers well-maintained cars at the most pocket-friendly car fare to visit the city.
By Train: The nearest railway station of Gangtok is NJP (New Jalpaiguri Railway Station). From NJP it is an approx. 4hrs ride to Gangtok. Visitors will be able to find a car to rent from NJP easily. However, visitors have to bear the hassle of bargaining while hiring a car from there.
By Road: Visiting Gangtok by road is the most convenient way. The nearby commercial hub is Siliguri. From there, plenty of cars are available to hire. Cars can be rented even from any major nearby cities. From Siliguri, it is approximately 115 km distance away.
Best Time to Visit Tourist Places of Gangtok
There is no specific time to visit this alluring capital town of Sikkim. Every season has its own charm and beauty to offer to the visitors.
April to June: The valley enclosing Gangtok is bursting with the blooming of vibrant flowers. It is the ideal time to visit the town for those who are in love with the Himalayan flowers. During these months, the valley of Gangtok gets ornamented with different kinds of colorful flowers which provides a soothing view.
July to September: Monsoon season in Gangtok is usually an off-season due to the unpredictable rain. Landslides use to occur during these months due to heavy rainfall. It is recommended not to visit Gangtok and its tourist places during these months.
October to December: During this time visitors can enjoy the pleasant weather of Gangtok with the amazing view of Mt. Kanchendzonga. Tourists usually visit Gangtok during these months in order to escape the intense heat of the plain. From October to December, the sky of the city remains mostly clears and because of this visitors can grab a spectacular view of the Himalayan range.
Hotels in Gangtok
Being the capital town of Sikkim, visitors can find many hotels including budget categories. Visitors can book hotels in Gangtok according to their convenience with the North Bengal Tourism Hotel Booking service. To sum it up, there are plenty of hotels in every category and budgets. Most of the basic and luxury amenities are there such as western bathrooms, view-rooms, geysers, TV, Wi-Fi and more.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q) about Gangtok Tourism Places
There are plenty of things and activities you can do and enjoy while exploring the tourist places in Gangtok, some of the prominent ones are as mentioned below.
- Trekking: Trekking is one of the most popular outdoor activities to do in the region. Trekking enthusiasts from all around the globe visit the city to experience the thrilling trekking adventure through the hills.
- Bicycling: Drive through the hilly terrains of Sikkim; discover new, tranquil yet lively places.
- Paragliding: Experience the breathtaking beauty of Sikkim while paragliding above the scenic town of Gangtok.
- Sightseeing: It is one of the best activities to do in Gangtok. Travellers can visit all the promising Gangtok tourism places such as being Nathula Pass, MG Road, Rumtek Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Ganesh Tok, Namgyal Institude of Tibetology, Baba Harbajan Shingh Temple, Himalayan Zoological Park, Hanuman Tok, Tashi Viewpoint, Banjhakri Falls, Ranka Monastery, Phodong Monastery and more.