Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim state and it is the largest town in India. The best time for visitors to visit is March to May and October to mid December. Weather conditions of this place are quite normal, so this is a very good place for visitors. The people of this city have a very good nature, they are very friendly to each other and the traditions of Gangtok are very popular tourist destination. This city contains a very good facility in hospitality, apart from this; it is very good at the education sector. The food of this city is also very good and delicious.
This is also called mountain state because of the series of mountains which this city contains. The views are very rare and exotic of this city; it is also famous for its ancient Buddhist monasteries. Tourist come here throughout the year. This city has very good accommodation facility, it means, this city has very large and good hotel series which are on a budget. Here are some names of the hotel which provides every best facility at very reasonable rates like hotel Oriental, hotel Dew Pond, hotel Tibet, hotel Tashi Delek, hotel Nor Khill etc. So overall, this city is worth visiting the city. Here is the list of some sites, which are very adventurous and they should be seen by every visitor of Gangtok:
Hanuman Tok
Hanuman Tok is around eight kilometers away from Gangtok city. Hanuman Tok is a Hindu temple and dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is a few kilometers away from Ganesh Tok temple. Hanuman Tok offers the nice scenery of Mt. Khangchendzonga. This temple is surrounded by mountains and hills. This is a really peaceful place. It is maintained by an Army Unit.
Himalayan Zoological Park
This is very famous park in Gangtok which is quite near to Himalaya view, so it is called Himalayan Zoological Park. In this park you can find many species of animal like black bear, snow leopard, spotted deer, civet rat, barking bear, red pandas and other animals. These species of animals are very rare, so it is very good to see them together in one place. Entry fee is just 10 Rs. only but you will be charged 20 Rs. extra for the vehicle.
Ganesh Tok
This is called Ganesh Tok because here you will find the statue of Lord Ganesh. This place is very near to the Sikkim Government college of nursing and the name of the road where this temple is situated is Nathula road.
White Hall
It was built in 1932 in the memory of Claude White. He was the first political officer of Sikkim. Until 1960 all the important functions were held in this building. White Hall is designed with typical British architecture and it’s a two storied building.
M.G. Marg and Lal Bazar
All the major restaurants, hotels, shops are on the M.G. road. If you are lucky then you can get the chance to see a cultural program in the streets. M.G. Marg is the main market of Gangtok city. Lal Bazar is just ahead to the M.G. Marg. The famous movie hall, Denzong Cinema Hall is also situated in Lal Bazar. The next a newly constructed building named as Kanchejunga Plaza is the main shopping mall in Gangtok city. Firstly this market was built in 1956.
Enchey Monastery
It is solitary temple. The main Puja held here on the 18th and 19th day of 12th month according to Tibetan Calendar. Enchay Monastery belongs to Nyingmapa. It is just two kilometers away from main Gangtok town.
Institute of Tibetology :
This Institute is dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy and religion. The organization attracts the scholars from all over the world. It houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree, antique thangkha and 200 icons, all prized objects of art for the Buddhist world.
Do Drul Chorten:
This is the most important and the biggest stupa in Gangtok, Sikkim. It is the most popular tourist spot in the East Sikkim. Built in 1945 under the supervision of late Truslshi Rimpoche. There are about 108 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. The renowned chorten has a gold-plated steeple. Devotees and pilgrims from all parts of the state and from other states come to devote their homage at this sacred stupa.
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, Dham –
this is one of the most holy places in the Vicinity of Gangtok. Legend has it that a Sepoy who was lost while leading a stock of mules appeared in the dreams of the soldiers and instructed them to build a shrine. It is said that the lost Sepoy still fulfills his duty of protecting the country and his battalion. People visit this shrine to receive blessings and pray for their wish fulfillment.
Tashi View Point
About 8 km from Gangtok, this view point offers fascinating view of the majestic Mount. Kanchenjunga and Mount. Siniolchu
Nearby Places
Nathula
This is also a very good place to visit. This is very calm place where everyone can feel the happiness. It is basically a mountain area which is covered by them and it is only 56 km away from Gangtok at an altitude of 14200 feet. This place is famous for its high varieties of alpine flora and fauna.
Khecheopalri Lake
About 90 km from Gangtok, This is considered the most sacred lake; it is situated in East Sikkim. This lake is very precious for Hindus and Buddhist; it is covered by forest from all the sides. Here, people believe that the birds never allow a single leaf to keep afloat on the water of the lake. This is the charm of this lake by which tourist keeps coming here and enjoys the beauty of this lake.
Pemayangtse Monastery
About 140 km from Gangtok, This Monastery was established by Lhatsun Chempo and it is one of the oldest monasteries. It has also a very natural view because this monastery is situated on top of the hill. When we reach to the top of the Pemayangtse hill than we can see the view of the Himalayan ranges and other hill in this region. Overall this is worth watching monastery for the visitors of Gangtok.
