Gangtok Tourist Places

Gangtok tourist places | Sightseeing | Images
If you are looking to for amazing Gangtok tourist places to visit, this article will provide you complete information about Gangtok visiting places. It is one of the most important  places to visit in Sikkim. There are many popular Gangtok tourist places to visit in two days. You need one full day to visit Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir & Nathula Pass.  Also need a day for Gangtok sightseeing or city tour. It is also a transit city for visiting North Sikkim.

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Gangtok, the Sikkim capital & an administrative hub of Sikkim, situated at the north eastern of India. At an height of approx 5,500 ft (1650 mtrs.) Gangtok visiting places includes Rumtek Monastery, Hanman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Tashi View Point, Enchey Monastery & many more. out side Gangtk there are visiting places like Tsomgo Lake, Baba Harabhanjan Singh Mandir & Nathula Pass. It also offers a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world. It is an important hill station as well as a transit city for many places in of Sikkim.  Once it has been an important transit city for trading between India & China through Nathula Pass. Gangtok is a cosmopolitan city with people from different community & religion. It can provide you a wide range of services including good hotels, local & international cuisine along with modern amenities like shopping complexes, cyber café ect.

List of Gangtok Tourist Places

• Tsomgo Lake
• Baba Mandir
• Nathula Pass
• Enchey Monastery
• Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre)
• Namgyal (Research) Institute of Tibetology
• Tashi View Point
• Ganesh Tok
• Hanuman Tok
• Government Institute of Cottage Industry
• Flower Exhibition Centre (Flower Show)
• Do-Drul Chorten Stupa
• MG Marg (The Mall) & Market
• Gangtok Ropeway (Cable Car)

Gangtok visiting places (outside)

Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake – Gangtok

Changu Lake is approx 40 Km away from Gangtok on the way to Nathula Pass. In Bhutaia Lacguage the word Tsomgo means the ‘Source on Lakes’. At an altitude of approx 12,000 ft above the sea level it is the most important place to visit in Sikkim. the  Lake is oval in shape and approximately 1km long. It has an average depth of about 50 ft.  Snow melted water from the mountains around created the lake & the lake created a river namely Lungtze Chu. The lake further falls into Rangpo-chu.

According to the myth the spirituals gurus of Sikkim used to study the colour of the water of Tsomgo Lake to forecast the future of the state. So the local people considered the lake as sacred.

Changu Lake is a paradise for the ornithologists. The migratory birds takes a break near the lake while flying long way from Syberia to the Indian plains. Brahminy Ducks  is a one of the spices.

Tsomgo Lake permit

Tsomgo Lake – 2 copies passport size recent colour photographs & Photo ID proof (Passport/ Voter ID) for each & every guests. Minor may carry school/college ID along with photographs.

Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit to visit Tsomgo Lake. Permit can be obtained in Gangtok. All the guests must carry 2 copies passport size recent colour photographs, Passport & copy of Restricted Area Permit (RAP).

Best time to Visit Tsomgo Lake
October to December for clear weather & Best view of the lake.
January to mid April for snowfall & frozen lake.

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Baba Mandir

16 km drive from Tsomgo Lake there is Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir.  Read more…

Nathula Pass

Sikkim -Nathu la Pass

It is one of the major attractions in Sikkim. Nathula Pass is a trade route which connect Sikkim with Tibet.It is situated just 56 km away (3 hrs drive) from Gangtok. The road passes through Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) another major tourist attraction in Sikkim. Nathula Pass height is above 14,000 ft (4,200 mtr) and Gangtok to Nathu la is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The road connects Sikkim with Chumbi Vally (Tibet) on the other side of the border. You can have an ATM, which is the highest ATM available in the world.

A road travel from Gangtok to Nathu La Pass is one of the most charming travel experience. On the way one can visit Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) & Baba Mandir is also just 5 km drive. At Nathu La there is an Exhibition Centre on Indian National Army. You can also have a magnificent view of My. Chmolhari (in Bhutan) subject to clear weather.

Nathula Permit

Only Indian nationals are allowed to go to the Pass. Foreign nationals are not allowed to travel to the same. They can travel up to Tsomgo Lake (Changu) accompanied by a local guide.

Indian nationals also need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit the Pass. Tourist need to submit a photo copy of any of the photo ID proofs (Voter ID, Passport or any other id card issued by the Government of India / State Government) along with passport size recent colour photographs.  

Permit Cost for Nathula Pass : It needs an additional cost ranging around Rs.3,000/-  to  Rs.6,000/- depending of the no of tourist, category of car & season.
Nathula Pass Visiting days : It is open for 5 days in a week (except Monday & Tuesday)
Nathula Pass height : 14,150 ft (4,200 mtr). 

Best time to visit Nthula Pass
October to December for clear weather & Best view of the surrounding hills.
January to mid April for snowfall.

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All these three sightseeing points are on the same route & can be covered in a single day. The tour usually starts at 7.30 in the morning & continues till 5 in the afternoon.

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Gangtok Tourist places | City tour

Rumtek Monastery – Gangtok

Enchey Monastery

Enchey Monastery is near TV Tower, approx 3 km from the main marker. Lama Druptob Karpo built the monastery approx 200 years back. The monastery belongs to Nyingma Order. It is famous for its religious festival with Mask Dance (traditionally known as ‘Chham Dance’ ) organised on 18^th & 19^th of twelve month of Tibetan calendar every year (tentatively in December).

Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre)

Rumten Monastery is 24km away from the city. After Tsomgo Lake it is the most important tourist spot. It also works as the Buddhist head quarter of India. The monastery was constructed in the year 1960 by the Gyalwa Karmapa, who was the 16^th Karmapa & settled in Sikkim in late fifties. Rumtek is the largest monastery of Sikkim. Just beside the monastery there is Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies with huge collection Buddhist text, art & paintings.    Read More…

Namgyal (Research) Institute of Tibetology

About one kilometer away from the Gangtok main market there is Namgyal Institute of Tibetology surrounded by magnolia, oak & brich trees. The institute building is a perfect example of Tibetan style of architecture & a major sightseeing point. It is one of the renowned institutes of the world with rare collection of books, documents & manuscripts on Buddhism. There is a huge volume of xylographs (printed wooden documents), translation of original teachings of the Lord Buddha & Buddhist scholars around the world. The institute also conducts research on Buddhism along with Tibetan culture & language. The adjoin museum has a rare collection of antiques like Thankas, coins & Buddhist sculpture. The foundation stone of the institute was laid by Dalai Lama in 1957 & was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1958.

Hanuman Tok – Gangtok

Tashi View Point

This is a view point in Gangtok, approx 8 km from the main market. The tourist spot with a view point, offers a panoramic view of the Himalaya including Mt. Kanchendzonga & Mt. Siniolchu.

Ganesh Tok

Near Tashi View point there another Gangtok sightseeing point called Ganesh Tok. Basically it is a small Temple Lord Ganesha along with a view point. From here one can have a bird’s eye view of the city & Raj Bhaban Complex. On a clear day magnificent view of Mt. Kanchendzonga can be seen.

Hanuman Tok

Approx 5 km away from city near Gangtok Nathu La highway there is another tourist place, a small Hanuman Temple. At an altitude approx 2200 mtr (7200 ft) it offers panoramic view of surrounding hills.

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Handicraft Centre – Gangtok

Government Institute of Cottage Industry

Just one km away from the main market it is one of the popular tourist attractions. In the year 1957 the institute was established with a view to manufacturing of the local art & handicrafts. There is an emporium within the institute to promote the same. Thankas (scrolls with traditional painting), masks, woollen carpets, dolls, Choksees (hand carved wooden table) are some of the important artefact of the emporium. Handmade paper, extensive used as invitation cards & letterheads, is another unique artwork in the institute.

Flower Exhibition Centre (Flower Show)

Not only the beautiful landscape, Sikkim is gifted will with more than 5000 species of flowering plants. The climatic condition has made this state a home to more than 600 species of orchids & 30 species of rhododendrons. To showcase this natural treasure a Flower Exhibition Centre has been established & is a must see attraction during Gangtok sightseeing. It is situated near White Hall, within a walking distance from MG Marg. Though the centre is open through the year, Mar to May will be the best time as the flowers will be in full blossom. International Flower Festival is organised every year tentatively in April.

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa is just within a short walk from Namgayal Institute of Tibetology. Trulshik Rinpoche built the same in 1945 by . He was the head of Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism. The stupa is a home to many religious books & objects. There are 108 Mani Lhakor (prayer wheels) around the stupa. It is surrounded by Chorten Lakahang & Guru Lakhang along with two huge statue of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).

Gangtok cable car

MG Marg (The Mall) & Market

MG Marg is the mall road in Gangtok & a great place for the tourists to spend their evening. This is a spit & litter free zone, even no vehicle is allowed to ply. Tourists can relax by sitting in the benches around the road or do some shopping in shops lined up both the side of the road. MG Marg is also a place for various cultural festivals, dance & music shows.

Gangtok Ropeway (Cable Car)

Ropeway is a must see tourist attraction in Gangtok sightseeing. It can offer a bird’s eye view of the city, snow capped Himalayan peaks & valleys. The ropeway has three terminal stations at Deorali, Namnang & Tashiling. Each cable car has a capacity to carry up to 24 passengers at a time. The two way ride will take approx 20 minutes. The cable car operates daily from 8 am to 4.30 pm.