Sikkim tourist places

Sikkim has many unexplored places of interest to visit and incredible tourism destination, which is hidden paradise in the Himalaya. Visit sikkim and sure this will an unforgettable experiences for you.

Places to visit in Gangtok, Sikkim

Gangtok - the capital city of Sikkim state (Sikkim is the 23rd.state of India) which also known as most peaceful & beautiful state in India Wreathed in clouds, Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim is located on a ridge at a height of 5500 feet. With a spectacular view of the Khangchendzonga, the town provides the perfect base for travel through the state. Once an important transit point for traders traveling between Tibet and India, it is today a busy administrative and business centre and presents an interesting mix of cultures and communities.

Gangtok is a cosmopolitan town which offers the tourist all possible amenities. Hotels are available in a range of prices along with a variety of eateries serving cuisine for all tastes. Shopping complexes, cyber cafes, night clubs and pool parlours abound for those so inclined.

MG Marg, the main street of Gangtok town is a great place to chill out. The countrys first litter and spit free zone, no vehicular traffic is allowed into the marg. You can sit at the Titanic Park or at the various benches stretched across the mall and take in the carnival like atmosphere, especially during the tourist season. The Mall is lined with shops on both sides of the road so shopping becomes an added pleasure.

MG Marg is also the venue for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture festival held in December each year when Sikkims multi-cultural cuisine, along with music and dance performances are showcased. This event attracts a large number of locals and tourists each year.

Top 3 Tourist attraction of Gangtok

Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake is located in the north eastern part of Sikkim. It is situated 35 km away from Gangtok on the Gangtok– Nathula highway .Tsomgo Lake (12,400 ft. / 3780 m), this is one of the highest altitude Himalayan Lake. Most beautiful this oval shape lake almost 1 km long with its average depth 50 ft and situated in east Sikkim Himalaya. Which makes a role of the erstwhile trade route from India to China. This lake has been worshipped as a holy lake by Sikkim’s. The average depth of this lake is about 50 feet and 1 km long. The cool and tranquil water harmonies with the beautiful scenery around it attract so many visitors. During the winter season, the lake would be in frozen condition. A moderate-sized temple of lord Shiva is present on the lakeshore. Many beautiful flowering plants like primula and other plantations like alpine add beauty to the lake.

Baba Mandir

Baba Mandir situated at 3780 m.
Short story: Captain "Baba" Harbhajan Singh (August 3, 1941 – October 4, 1968) was an Indian army soldier who died near the Nathula Pass in eastern Sikkim, India. He is revered by the soldiers of the Indian army, who have built a shrine in his honour. Baba is to have granted favours to the soldiers, and guard each one in the inhospitable terrain. Harbhajan Singh was born into a Sikh family on August 3, 1941 in the village of Batthe Bhaini in Punjab (India). He completed his preliminary schooling at village school, and then did his matriculation from DAV High School in Patti in March 1955. In June 1956 he enrolled himself as a soldier in Amritsar and joined the Corps of Signals. On June 30, 1965 was granted a commission and posted to the 14 Rajput regiment. During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war he served as an Adjutant of his unit. Later he was transferred to 18 Rajput. It was with this regiment that he met his end on October 4, 1965 in Sikkim.

A shrine was built at his Samadhi, at an elevation of around 4,000 metres (13,123 ft). According to army folklore, Baba is a stickler for discipline and is known to admonish those who do not tow this line. A camp bed is kept for him and his boots are polished and uniform kept ready every night. The sheets are reportedly crumpled every morning and boots muddy by evening. The Major continues to draw a salary and takes his annual leave.

According to legend, Major Harbhajan Singh drowned in a glacier following the 1962 Sino-Indian War in 1968 while escorting a column of mules to a remote outpost. He was the first casualty of the 23rd Punjab Regiment, and a manhunt was launched to find him. He was found after three days and cremated with full military honours. According to legend, it was Major Harbhajan Singh who led the search party to his body, and later, through a dream, instructed one of his colleagues to build and maintain a shrine after him. Legend also has it that in the event of a war between India and China, Baba would warn the Indian soldiers three days in advance. During the flag meetings between the two nations at Nathula, the Chinese set a chair aside for the saint. Every year on September 14, a jeep departs with his personal belongings to the nearest railway station, New Jalpaiguri, where it is then sent by train to the village of Kuka, in Kapurthala district in Punjab. As per train rule the train reserved seat never left blank, but for baba reservation is done to travel him at his home town every year with solders to drop Baba at his home town. A small sum is also sent to his mother each month.

Nathula Pass

Nathula Pass at 4392 meters nearly 56 kilometers from Gangtok and a maximum of two drive. Only 38 kilometers is Tsomgo Lake and another 18 kilometers is Nathula Pass on the India and China border. Permit is necessary which either the local operator or we will take care off. Baba Harbajan Singh Memorial is considered sacred by locals and tourist alike. This lake is mesmerizing and home to Brahmani duck and it remain frozen 7 to 8 months of the year.

Nathu La is one of the three trading border posts between China and India; the other two are Shipkila in Himachal Pradesh and Lipulekh (or Lipulech) in Uttarakhand. Sealed by India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Nathu La was re-opened in 2006 following numerous bilateral trade agreements. The opening of the pass is expected to bolster the economy of the region and play a key role in the growing Sino-Indian trade. Currently, agreements between the two nations limit trade across the pass to 29 types of goods from India and 15 from the Chinese side. The opening also shortens the travel distance to important Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the region.

Places to visit In and Around Gangtok

Enchey Monastery

This is a religious site of the Nyingma order. Enchey literally means Solitary. This Monastery was built with the intention that no other construction would be allowed near it. It is said that the site has been blessed by Lama Drupko Karpo, a revered tantric master reputed for his power to fly. Every year around January \'Chaam\' or religious masked dance is performed with great fanfare for two days. It is situated 3 kilometers from Gangtok.

Hanuman Tok

This are basically view point and is nearly 5½ kilometers from Gangtok. There is a temple of God Hanuman. Other than offering prayers one can enjoy the scenic beauty of Gangtok town. On a clear day one can have a satisfying glimpse of the snow clad Himalayan range and specially mount Khnagchendzonga.

Tashi View Point

This was built by the late King of Sikkim Tashi Namgyal. This is situated nearly 4 kilometers from Gangtok. One can have a clear view of the Himalayan range, besides Mt. Khanchendzonga on a clear day. Tourist can enjoy the scenic view of mount Kanchendzonga, mount Siniolchu and the whole of Himalayan range.

Ganesh Tok

This is again a view point and very popular among tourist. There is a temple of Ganesha worshipped by Hindus. It is situated on a hillock in Gangtok - Nathula Road. One can visit a government nursery nearby.

Do - Drul Chorten

This was built by Trulshi Rimpoche. He was the head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. There are complete mandala set of Holy Books, complete mantras and other religious objects. Around this Chorten are the prayer wheels ten in numbers and are rolled by the devotee while going round the huge Gumpha. One of the important stupas in Sikkim with two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche.

Rumtek monastery

One of the finest Monastery of Sikkim with svchooling of Monks nearby. This is the seat of the 17th Gyalwa Karma, late His holiness Rangjung Rigpae Dorjee. It is believed that the monastery was built in 1960 is a replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet. It is situated nearly 25 kilometers from Gangtok makes a half day sight seeing and worth it.

Zoological park

This Park is situated approximately 8 kilometers away from Gangtok. It is a spread over an area of 205 hectares. It has been planned to be the natural habitat of the endangered red panda, barking deer, spotted deer and bear.

Flower Show

Flower show started way back in the late eighties in different places and was quite popular. Now it is held permanently in White Hall, just below the Palace ridge park. This show has become quite popular and famous among the tourist. There is flower exhibitions throughout the year in accordance with the seasons and the flowers are always in bloom. A glimpse of rare orchids and flowers are treat to the eyes.

Handicrafts

This is one such show where one can come across weavers and craftsman working. Shoppers will find the Directorate of handicrafts and handlooms an entertaining place to catch up on their souvenir hunting. Craftsmen in the process of weaving, woodcarving and painting of typical Sikkimese designs will impress all. It offers a close and personal view of these beautiful crafts. One can take home with the hand – woven carpets, blankets, shawls, carved magnolia – wood tables, etc.