Places To Visit In Gangtok Sightseeing

Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve gets its name from its location at Mount Kanchendzonga, which is the 3rd highest peak in the world. The park covers an area of 849.5 sq kilometers and contains many glaciers. The reserve is a home to a multiple unique species of flora and fauna with around 550 species of native and migratory birds.

Tsomgo Lake is located at an altitude of 3,780 meters above sea level. It is also called as Changu Lake and is crossed by the Nathu la Pass on the north. The Chinese border is pretty close to this lake with a small distance of only 5 kilometers, but is however 18 kilometers by road. There is also a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva here and it is also a habitat to the brahminy ducks.

Saramsa Garden was established in 1922 and has served various purposes. Today, it serves the purpose of the gangtok tourism department to promote floriculture. It is a great picnic and recreation spot and can be enjoyed with family and friends. It is situated 14 kilometers from gangtok on the Pakyong Road.

Ganesh Tok is a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh; in fact it is so small that only one person can crawl into the temple at a time. However, the main thing to be notices here is its unique location which acts like a viewpoint. Located at an altitude of 6,500 meters above sea level and from here you can witness some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the town below.

Views of the Himalayas you must come to Tashi View Point in gangtok. It is simply a circular viewing point where a maximum of four people can stand at a time. Nevertheless, the spot provides a brilliant panoramic view of the Kanchendzonga Mountain on a clear day.

Sikkim tourism department has founded a special sanctuary for Rhododendrons and it was amazing to see so many varieties of the flower at one spot. It is a picturesque landscape with the Yumthang River flowing through it. It has approximately 40 different species of Rhododendron and the best time to visit would be between April and May.

Hanuman Tok is a temple complex dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the mighty Monkey god. This temple was built as the site is considered as the spot Lord hanuman rested while carrying the mountain with the “Sanjeevani” herb.

The Wildlife Sanctuary is located between Nathu la pass and the aforementioned Changu or Tsomgo Lake. The place is a brilliant location for wanderers who like to get engulfed by the natural beauty of the Himalayas. It contains a vast number of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna and covers an area of 31 sq kilometers.

The mighty mountain pass of Nathu La is located at an astonishing height of approximately 4,310 meters above sea level and is considered to be one of the highest motor able mountain passes in the world. The pass is open to the citizens of India and a special permit is needed for the foreign tourists.

The zoo with an average elevation of 2,134 meters above sea level is the highest of all high altitude zoos in India. It was opened in 1958 and specializes in captive breeding of the endangered animals found in the alpine region. Endangered species like the Red Panda and Snow Leopard are bred here in captivity.

Rumtek monastery is one of the largest in Sikkim and belongs to the Kargyu sect of Buddhists which originated in the 12th century in Tibet. The architecture of the monastery is one of the finest in the world and resembles the original one in Tsurphu,

Temi Tea Garden was established in 1969. The total area of the Temi Tea garden is approximately 435 acres. The garden employs about 450 people and produces 100 matric ton of orthodox tea annually. The garden produces some of the best teas in the world. The garden offers beautiful natural views. The picturesque view of tea plucking can be seen here during the plucking season.

Banjhakri Waterfalls lies amidst a lush green valley spread over nearly 2 acres and is quite nice and popular among tourist. It is surrounded by trees and gushing mountain stream. The Park has a Shamanistic theme. Hence, while the location of the park penetrating the forest spreads and seeks to enhance the essence of the occult and the unknown.

DO Drul Chorten has been built in the year 1945 under the supervision of late Truslshi Rimpoche. There are more than hundred prayer wheels (Mani-Lhakor) in this chorten. There are some mantras have been engraved in these prayer wheels; by turning these prayer wheels, the devotees can read and chant these mantras.