Gorgeous Sikkim: WHY Your Himalayan Trip is Incomplete without Gangtok

A standout amongst the most imperative and heavenly places to visit in Gangtok, the Tsomgo Changu Lake is a frosty lake arranged 40 kilometres from Gangtok at a stature of 12,310 feet. Apart from its breathtaking scenic beauty, the lake is also famous for housing the Brahminy Ducks and many other migratory birds.

Located on the road between Jelepla and Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir is visited by hundreds of people every day. It is believed that the temple has wish fulfilling powers. An annual holiday is celebrated in September in the memory of the saint. People leave their water bottles at the mandir and collect it back on their way back. It is believed by them that the temple will bestow curative properties that helps cure many ailments.

This charming little Tashi View Point is a perfect place to witness the brilliant surroundings like mountains, valleys and Gangtok itself. This famous tourist point is located at a distance of 8 km from the town and is mostly known for offering some of the best sunrise and sunset views. One can witness the changing of colours of the Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu Peaks as the sun slowly moves from this view point along with the glimpse famous monasteries of Gangtok, Phodong and Labrang.

Among the resplendent Buddhist monasteries of Gangtok stands one of the many well-maintained temples of Sikkim, the Ganesh Tok, at a 13 km drive from The Elgin Nor-Khill. The literal meaning of the word ‘tok’ is ‘temple’ in the local language so it translates as the Ganesh Temple. The quaint and vivid Hindu temple, constructed in 1953 offers visitors panoramic views of the snow-dusted Kanchenjunga hills and the Gangtok city. If you are fortunate enough to plan your trip around the 10 day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, you can witness various Hindu rituals. 

This immaculate and a divine place located in the upper reaches of Gangtok, Hanuman Tok is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Hindu monkey God. This place offers a splendid view of the neighbouring hills and valleys, you can also see the amazing sight of the town from Hanuman Tok.

Flower Exhibition Centre, which is situated in Gangtok, showcases flowers from the different parts of Sikkim together under a single roof which makes it a heaven for all the nature lovers. Located right across the White Memorial Hall and below the Ridge Park, it lies at a walking distance from the MG Marg. The presence of such different varieties of colourful flowers along with its enchanting fragrance fills up the entire centre making it a very refreshing place for the visitors. This lovely place is fantastic to spend time at just looking at the flowers and clicking pictures. In addition to all this, there is an artificial water pond along with a bridge constructed over it where the tourists can take a little stroll while enjoying the pleasant ambience around.

Also known as the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts was established during the time of the Chogyals of Sikkim to promote the ethnic art and craft of Sikkim. It has a museum that show cases many art works and items produced by the local artists and artisan, items including scroll painting, carpets, handlooms, traditional handcrafts, furniture, wooden carved objects, embroidered products are kept for sale in the emporium.

It is one of the most important and famous institutes in the world that does research in the areas of Tibetan language and culture. It is a prominent tourist sightseeing spot of Gangtok as well as Sikkim and also has a museum in its premises which has rare collections of statues, coins, thangkas (that are scrolls with hand paintings & embroidery work), Tibetan art work & objects, and ancient manuscripts, as well as a Tibetan library with the largest collections of Tibetan documents and literatures in the world and also a reference center about Tibet and Himalayas in general. 

Do Drul Chorten is one of the most important stupas in Sikkim, nestled in the stunning valleys of Gangtok. The Stupa has around 108 Mani Lhakor or prayer wheels. These wheels are engraved with important mantras which can be chanted by rotating them. The quaint serenity and calmness of Do Drul Chorten has attracted tourists and devotees since years.

The presence of tall pine trees, flowery meadows and the beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga Hills, gives the devotees a feeling of being in the middle of a serene and blessed environment. Situated 3 km to the north-east of Gangtok, this monastery is about 200 years old.Apart from its captivating location, the Enchey Monastery is also a famous tourist location due to the Chaam dance (a special prayer offering by monks by wearing masks) organized on the 18th, 19th day of the 12th lunar month as per the Tibetan calendar.

Banjhakri falls are naturally created waterfall which originates from the springs located at a higher altitude. Ban means “forest” while Jhakri means “priest”.  The park where the waterfalls are located is in a thickly forested area of Swastik, which is about seven kilometers away from Gangtok. The energy park has other major attention also one of which is the man-made lake with a dragon located in its center.