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Capital city of Sikkim, India
Photo: Kailas98, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gangtok (Nepali: गंगटोक Gaṅgṭok, Tibetan: སྒང་ཐོག་ Gangtok) is a bustling, friendly hill station, and the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The name "Gangtok" is derived from the Tibetan word for 'hillside,' and the city has a population of around 100,000 (2012) being a mixture of indigenous Sikkimese and people of Nepalese and Tibetan ancestry.
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A monastery in the Nyingma tradition, famous for its large chorten. When in residence, Dodrupchen Rinpoche receives devotees to offer blessings from around 20:00 to 21:30.
a Buddhist stupa complex constructed in 1945.
A 200-year-old monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, located above Gangtok, just off the road to Lake Tsomgo.
1818 m
Near the White-Hall, flower show is at its best during the flowering season which is mid March to end of May in spring and October to mid December in autumn. The annual Cymbidium Orchid Show is from mid-March to mid-April.
A Nyingma monastery famous for its large Guru Rinpoche statue and 100,000 smaller statues. A larger version of the Guru Rinpoche statue was supposed to have been constructed in Tibet to protect it from invasion, but the authorities neglected to follow the advise of a high lama, and a smaller statue was built. HH Dalai Lama regretted this oversight, and to compensate had a number of statues built throughout the Himalayas. Those at Guru Lhakhang were created as a result of this command.
A combination hotel and family amusement park.
A popular and scenic lake around 40 km from Gangtok at an elevation of 3,780 m. Make sure to see Hanuman Tok and Ganesh Tok along the way, monasteries with views of Kangchenjunga.
A museum and library dedicated to Tibetan culture, language and history. The foundation stone was laid by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1957 and the institute was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1958. Photography is not permitted inside the museum.
Ranka Monastery is newer and quieter but also very beautiful.
MG Marg
A pedestrian only avenue which forms the main shopping district. Near the main entrance of MG Marg is the tourist information office and a taxi stand, the final destination of many taxis from other parts of the city.
One of the most famous things to see near Gangtok.
The palatial monastery of Sikkim's former royal family.
This waterfall has an entrance fee of ₹30 for two people and parking fee of ₹20. The site is developed with pathways and bridges around streams leading up the waterfall, decorated with sculptures. The waterfalls are accessible and soft enough to swim in. There is also a restaurant and gift shop.
Serves South Indian and North Indian snacks and sweets. Good place to have breakfast. There are two outlets, one on MG Marg and other on the way near the taxi stand. Dosas are not so good.
Tibetan and Indo-Chinese cuisine. The pork chilli, the momos and the tea momos are recommended.
This place has excellent Sikkimese and Tibetan food. You might find yourself to be the only tourist/ non-local at any time of the day. Good selection of thenthuk, thukpa, faley, momos, chowmein, meat dry fry, rice plates, etc offered with beef, pork or chicken. Vegetarians may have some difficulties. A big bottle of beer starts from ₹90. Definitely try their pork thenthuk and pork momos.
Amazing sizzlers and momos.
Was the first cafe in the city to sell cappuccino and latte. A wide selection of Western-style pastries.
At the ridge which is an ideal location for walk and best view of the mountain, the cafe offers fresh Himalayan cuisine like phale (local bread), shiafale (local bread filled with meat and deep fried), momos and grilled sandwiches.
On the way up towards the Zero point, left side. Run by a Tibetan, serves very good coffee although the food is just decent.
Downtown
They have a couple of guitars, a saxophone etc if you feel like playing. Don't be surprised if the whole pub starts singing along. The best time to go is Saturday or Sunday nights, when it is jam packed with both locals and visitors. Saturday night is Karaoke night with songs ranging from Bollywood classics, Napali and English rock, and modern Hindi tunes. The owner Dheeraj Gurung is an amazing host.
An upscale pub in the heart of MG Road. Great drinks, tasty food (especially the Malai Tikka and sauteed mushrooms), and an amazing ambiance. The price is higher than other pubs on the street, but worth it.
Serves Tibetan food, thupkas, gyathuk and thentuk. Includes a bar.
Wa Chipa
This place is a cheap local hangout. In addition to the popular Hit and Dansberg beers, are traditional Nepali and Sikkimese drinks such as Nigar, Raksi, Chhang, Tongba, and various fruit and flower wines/spirits. They may run out of food, but when available includes various meat sekwas (traditional barbeque), wachipa and momos.
A decent place for budget travellers and a good base in the centre of town. Rooms are basic, with old furniture, but that is to be expected for the price. Do bring earplugs as the road-facing rooms are very noisy at night. The building is next to the busiest road in town, and windows cannot be fully closed.
TV, carpeted rooms.
A nice place for budget tourists and just above the popular MG Marg. Fair rooms and good food. It also organizes tours throughout Sikkim.
A family-run guest house with the best location, just above the Mall Road and below the Royal Palace offering the best mountain view. Also has a nice cafe called Cafe Culture offering fresh Himalayan cuisine.
A nice place for budget tourists and a good base to meet other travellers - in the main town near the Tourist Information Centre. It also organizes tours throughout Sikkim.
A boutique 2-star hotel. Theme: Sikkimese design with modern amenities. Available: car parking, peaceful environment, Internet, mountain view from rooms, mountain biking, bar & restaurant.
Warm, elegant decor and excellent service.
Clean and comfortable rooms with an excellent restaurant.
Good value. The standard room (₹1100) is spartan; the super-deluxe (₹2200) is well-furnished and has an excellent view of the hillside. All facilities are well maintained. The staff's knowledge of English is poor, but you can get by.
It is close to the SNT Bus Stand. Multi-cuisine restaurant.
TV, carpeted rooms. Staff very kind and helpful.
Five-star deluxe resort, spread over 15 acres of lush forest, some of the villas with temperature controlled dip pools.
Unit of Elgin Hotels and Resorts. Colonial decor and luxury at its best.
Situated near the Rumtek Monastery about 20 km from the town. Spread over 6 acres with its own garden and organic farming. 12 rooms spread over 5 cottages. 4 suite rooms and 8 deluxe cottages, with ethnic Nepali style.
One of the better quality handicraft stores in town. Excellent selection of Buddhist artwork.
By far the best bookshop in the city. The store has a great collection of Asian English Translations and books about North-East India. Check the Instagram account for book events and other cultural events. The cafe downstairs serves delicious Ramen, Corndog and sandwiches.
Good place to buy prayer wheels, flags and other handicraft. Little expensive.
1060 m
Well known House of exotic plants including Orchids. Azaleas and Cattleya hybrid orchids, besides range of Citrus, are their specialities. A must visit place for any plant lover. Visits by prior appointment. Conducted tour in the well spread out garden for groups conducted by travel agents and interactions about Himalayan flora with Sr. Pradhan, authority on Himalayan flora and environment, over cup of tea on payment of nominal fee, possible.
By train
The nearest train station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri which has direct connections to New Delhi, Kolkata, and other major cities in India. It is a 10- to 12-hour journey from Kolkata.
By road
The roads in the area are all winding mountain roads in poor condition. The average travel speed between Gangtok and other cities is around 30 km/h.
By road
It may be available from the private taxi stand a few minutes downhill from MG Marg. However, most of these will be shared jeeps that are one-way so it would be prudent to inquire ahead of time.
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Siliguri · International · IXB
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