Gangtok Travel Guide
About Gangtok:
Gangtok its captivating architectural beauty radiates with pagoda-like
wooden houses, painted turquoise roofs and gay bazaars. Undoubtedly
modern times have wound their way into this picturesque town, but the
gently swaying and elegant costumes of the Sikkimese people, their
smiling faces, the unhurried pace of their life-style and the towering
beauty of Kanchenjunga ..... all cast a magic spell on this delightful
location in the foothills of the grand Himalayas.
An air of enchantment hangs over the city, indeed the whole valley; the
mysticism, the stupas, the monasteries reach out as soon as one has
crossed the border. While across the hills and valleys comes the
sounding of the long trumpets by robed lamas.
Getting There :
By Air
Gangtok does not have an airport of its own. But you may visit Gangtok
after flying to Siliguri. Flights from Bagdogra can be booked at the
Indian Airlines office on Tibet Road in Gangtok
By Rail
The railhead nearest to Gangtok is that of Siliguri. Siliguri in turn
links various Indian cities with Gangtok through rail.
By Road
The busiest route in and out of Sikkim is the road between Gangtok and
Siliguri, also the nearest airport and railway station. Siliguri (5
hours), Darjeeling (7 hours), Kalimpong (3 hours) and Bagdogra (4½
hours) are easily accessible from Gangtok through road.
Tourist Attractions :
Do Drul Chorten
The Do Drul Chorten is regarded as the most important ‘stupa’
of Sikkim. This highly revered Chorten has a sacred gold-topped shikhara
with 108 prayer wheels, and is characterised by complete sets of Holy
Books, mantrasand other religious objects. The Chorten also has two huge
statues of Guru Rimpoche around it.
Phurchachu Reshi Hot Springs
Around 25-km from Gyalsing, near Reshi, after crossing Rangeet River
(also spelt as Ranjit) by a pedestrian bridge, hardly ten minutes from
the highway is Phurchachu springs with medicinal properties, ideal for
skim diseases. These springs are considered holy as one of the four holy
caves is located here. This holy cave is called the "Kadosangphu"
or 'Cave of the occult fairies' and lies on the south of the four
cardinal points.
Orchid Sanctuary
The Orchid Sanctuary is famous for its rare and extensive collection of
almost 454 species of orchids.
Tashi Ling
The Tashi Ling monastery is known for its 'Bumchu' or Sacred Pot that
contains holy water and has never run dry in the last 300 years. It
offers beautiful views of the Himalayas, as well as the Phodong and the
Labrang monasteries located on the opposite hill. It’s scenery
makes for a wonderful picnic spot.
Lachung
The road from Chungthang toward Lachung takes one into another world.
This is the area inhabited by the Lachungpas, a hardy mountain people
who consider themselves quite different from the Bhutias and the
Tibetans. The lush green, terraced hillsides, even in winter, were a
testimony to the grit and determination of these people. Lachung is the
last habitation on the road to Yumthang a monastery; hidden high on the
hillside overlooked a settlement of Lachungpas and barracks of the
Indian army. The mountains on the other side of the valley rose up to
snowy heights. In the distance, one could see the impressions of a track
that was once used by traders to cross over from Tibet with their mules
laden with Chinese silk.
Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo literally means "Source of the Lake " in Bhutia
language. ' TSO' means lake and ' MGO' means head. At about 40-km away
from Gangtok, this serene and holy lake is situated at an altitude of
12,400 ft on the Gangtok - Nathu La highway.
