M G Market Gangtok Entry Fee
- No entry fee
M G Market Gangtok Phone
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M G Market Gangtok Address: Arithang, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737101, India
M.G. Market or (MG Road/MG Marg) in Gangtok is a famous shopping area. Over the years, it has become a top attraction in Gangtok for tourists as well as the residents of the city. This area is like an open shopping center, which is spread over a one kilometer stretch.
The best part is that this area is a pedestrian-only zone, meaning no vehicles are allowed in it. Moreover, the entire area has been declared as a smoke-free and litter-free zone, making it one of the cleanest shopping areas in the country.
The M.G. Market area buzzes with tourists and locals on all days, all through the year, with them leisurely strolling on the street and stopping at different food joints to enjoy scrumptious delicacies or to shop for some fantastic items.
When they are not shopping, they can be seen sitting on the seats, beautifully laid out along the sides of the street. The entire MG road is lined up with several cafes, bars, restaurants and shops, on both sides. It looks like a shopping mall but an open one. The atmosphere out on the street gives a feeling of a carnival.
A thing to definitely notice on this street is that both sides of it have been painted green. This has been done in accordance with the Sikkim government’s green initiative. Some of the other notable aspects to witness in the M G Market are the Statute of Unity, comprising statutes of Bhutia Chief Khye Bumsa; Lepcha leader Thetong Tek and his partner Ngo-Kong-ngol; the huge statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the Victorian lamps along the road.
History of M. G. Market in Gangtok
Named after Mahatma Gandhi, the M G Market has been modified over the years and several additions have been made to enhance its beauty as well as the visitors’ experience. A shopper’s delight, this open-air market is India’s first ‘Litter, Spit and Smoke-free Zone’.
Benches and Victorian Lamps are some of the recent additions to the market, and they have certainly given a charming look to the avenue. During the month of December, the Gangtok Food and Cultural Festival is held at this place, during which visitors get an opportunity to witness musical shows, ethnic dance performances and enjoy delectable local delicacies.
Things to do in M. G. Market Gangtok
Tourists coming to M G Market will surely have a gala of a time, with so much to see and do here. Shopaholics will be spoilt for choices, as in this market they can shop for a variety of souvenirs and handicrafts items, clothes, shoes, etc. here.
Besides that they can head to any of the food joints to enjoy Tibetan, Sikkimese, Nepali, Continental and Indian cuisines. There is a China Bazaar in the area, where tourists can shop for decorative items at throwaway prices.
Those planning to go on different sightseeing tours of Gangtok can make their bookings with various travel agencies here, who are also known to get the permits for tourists to visit border areas of Sikkim, where without permits, tourists are not allowed.
Be it during the day time or in the evening, tourists are sure to enjoy the various facets of the M G Market. In addition to this place, they can head to some of the other important attractions of the city including Buddha Park, Palzor Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden, Flower Exhibition Centre, etc.
M. G. Market Gangtok Timings and Entry fee
There is no entry fee to visit the M.G. Market in Gangtok. The market usually opens at 8 am and closes down at 7 pm; however, during peak season, the stalls and main shops remain open till 9 pm. The market remains closed on all Tuesdays.
How to reach M. G. Market Gangtok
The M.G. Market can be reached from any part of the city quite easily by availing a private taxi from top car rental companies in Gangtok or a shared taxi.
Reaching the city of Gangtok is easy as well as it is well connected to the rest of the country by road, rail and air transport.
By Air: The closest airport to the city is the Pakyong Airport. However, since it is a seasonal airport, it receives less number of flights. Therefore, most tourists fly directly to the Bagdogra International Airport in West Bengal. This airport, located at a distance of about 123 km from Gangtok, is well connected to the rest of the country courtesy regular flight services.
After reaching the airport, tourists can travel to Gangtok by hiring a private taxi or boarding a bus. Another option for tourists is the helicopter service available at the Bagdogra Airport. This helicopter ride is of 20 to 30 minutes; however, it is not always available because of frequent weather fluctuations in the area.
By Rail: The closest railway head to Gangtok is the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in West Bengal, about 118 km away. This railway station receives trains from across India on a regular basis. Hence, tourists can book their tickets till New Jalpaiguri.
After reaching here, tourists can either choose to travel to Gangtok by car or bus. Taxi rides are typically of 2 hours while bus rides can be of around 4 hours. Another railway station located close to Gangtok is the Siliguri Railway Station, which is about 112 km away.
By Road: Siliguri, Kalimpong, Kolkata, Darjeeling and Bagdogra are some of the major cities from where daily buses are available to Gangtok.
Things to keep in mind while visiting M. G. Market Gangtok
- Littering, Spitting and Smoking is prohibited at M.G. Market.
- Photography is allowed in the area.
- Inner-line permits can be done here through travel agencies located in the market.
Make the most of your Gangtok tour by booking a Gangtok tour package with us. At Gangtok Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, we offer a variety of packages catering to different budgets and preferences. Choose the one that suits you best. To get in touch with us, please fill the Contact Us form.
