Gangtok has been designated as the cleanest city in India, and with all strict guidelines laid by the government as well as the contribution of its citizens make Gangtok equal part serene and equal parts hustle. With the mighty Khangchendzonga as its backdrop, Gangtok offers varied experience for travelers from adventure of trekking, to mountain biking, to serenity of its monasteries, to blooming orchids.
The wildflowers that color its mountain slopes bright and the beautiful valleys of North Sikkim to its numerous alpine and glacial lakes add further beauty to this place. The wilderness of the Lepcha to the mythical land of the Jhakris mesmerizes its visitors. If you are a nature lover, a trip to Gangtok will most certainly satisfy your desire to experience the richness and vastness of the natural biosphere which is rich in diverse vegetation.
Gangtok is famous for its natural beauty and also for the local Sikkimese cuisine that goes beyond momos and thukpas. It offers diverse ecology and swathes of forests, and still features among the green capitals of the country. The city is also famous as the style capital of North East India, and also known for its orchids, water- falls, and monasteries.
For a shopping enthusiast, Gangtok offers numerous options, from local yak cheese to souvenirs, from local art to local beer and apparel to electronics. The experience of local shopping in Gangtok would definitely sharpen your skills of hard bargaining.
It requires a minimum of 3-4 days, which is an ample amount of time to explore Gangtok to its core; however, there are major places that can be explored on a 1- day trip too if you are running tight on your schedule.
Listing down options to explore the best places as a one day itinerary for Gangtok that covers almost all major landmarks and tourist hubs.
- Gangtok Places to visit in 1 Day - Option 1: Tashi View Point, Bakthang Falls, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Banjhakri Falls, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Deorali Orchid Institute, Tsuk La Khang Monastery, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, MG Marg, Lal Bazaar
- Gangtok Places to visit in 1 Day - Option 2: Tashi View Point, Banjhakri Falls, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Tsuk La Khang Monastery, Kabi Town, Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, MG Marg, Lal Bazaar
- Gangtok Places to visit in 1 Day - Option 3: Tashi View Point, Ranka Monastery, Seven Sisters Water- Falls, Tsuk La Khang Monastery, Do Drul Chorten Stupa, MG Marg, Lal Bazaar
1. Tashi View Point
Tashi viewpoint is the best place to get the clear view of the magnificent Mount Khangchendzonga and Mount Sinilochu along with other peaks from the Khangchendzonga mountain range as well as the Himalayan peaks, Phodong Monastery and Labrang Monastery. The viewpoint is developed and maintained by the Sikkim Tourism Board and was built by the King of Sikkim, Tashi Namgyal. Hence, the viewpoint is named Tashi viewpoint, after him. Tashi Namgyal was the king of Sikkim between 1914 and 1963.
On a clear day, the best views can be experienced during sunrise and sunset when the golden rays of the sun color the peaks too golden. The viewpoint is located 8 kilometers from Gangtok town center. As per its holding capacity, at a time, only 20 people can be present on the circular viewing balcony of Tashi viewpoint. Along with the snow- capped peaks, one can also experience the 360- degree view of the city of Gangtok from here.
To experience the best views of the Himalayan range from Tashi viewpoint, it is highly recommended to visit between March and June. Reach the viewpoint before dawn break and dusk for best sunrise and sunset views.
Timings for visit are between 4:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
2. Ranka Monastery
The Ranka Monastery is a regal monastery located 20 kilometers from Gangtok, considered one of the most significant and beautiful monasteries of East Sikkim and is also known as Lingdum Monastery by the locals. The monastery follows the Zurmang Kayud lineage of Buddhism and is the seat of Zurmang Charwang Rinpoche, the 12th incarnation of this ancestry.
Built in 1998 and being relatively new in comparison to the other significant monasteries of Sikkim, the monastery is run by young monks. The Ranka Monastery is famous for two annual festivals, the Bhumchhu festival and Losar. Bhumchhu is a holy water festival celebrated on the 14th and 15th day of the lunar month attended by devotees from Bhutan, and other neighboring areas. Losar is the Tibetan New Year celebrated every year during the month of February or March depending on the lunisolar Tibetan Calendar.
One of the unique features of the Ranka Monastery is its large gold- plated statue of Lord Buddha inside its sanctum. The statue of Lord Buddha is in the lotus position. There is a training center for young lamas adjacent to the courtyard of the monastery.
Timings – Open 24 hours
3. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
With tall golden towers rising along its façade, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is one of the major tourist attractions of Gangtok due to its serene environment. As the name suggests, the institute principally focuses on preservation of Tibetan history, art, literature, philosophy, religion and everything related to Tibetan culture.
The institute is built on the land which was donated by the late Chogyal (King), Sir Tashi Namgyal and foundation stone of the institute was laid by the great 14th Dalai Lama. Once completed, the institute was inaugurated by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India.
The museum and library are two most important places within the institute and it is highly recommended to pay a visit here. They are a treasure trove of information on everything related to Tibetan- Buddhist history, tradition, and culture.
Timings – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Monday to Saturday. The institute is closed on Sundays, Second Saturdays and Government Holidays.
4. Tsu La Khang Monastery
Built as the royal monastery by the Royal family of the former Kingdom of Sikkim, under the rule of Thutob Namgyal, the 9th King of Sikkim, the Tsu La Khang Monastery is a beautiful two storeyed structure situated within the premises of Tsuklakhang Royal Palace. Since it belonged to the royal family, the monastery was principally used for celebrating both festivals and royal functions like coronation ceremonies, victory ceremonies, and royal marriages. Tsuk La Khang is also called the Imperial Monastery by the locals due to its association with the royalty in the past.
Other than the usual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in Sikkim, Phang Lhabsol and Losoong are two major festivals celebrated especially at Tsuk La Khang Monastery during which the monks perform Chaam, a famous mask dance of Eastern India.
One of the unique features of Tsuk La Khang Monastery is its interior wall murals and carvings of deities at the altars and placement of wooden snow lion head sculptures on every corner of the monastery structure.
Timings – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. October to March
5. Seven Sisters Waterfall
Located on the Gangtok – Lachung highway, around 32 kilometers from Gangtok city, lies the famous Seven Sisters Waterfall. One of the most visited places in Gangtok, the waterfall is named such due to the parallel arrangement of seven separate waterfalls that cascade from a rugged cliff. The waterfalls are most scenic during the monsoon when they are at their strongest. This is also the most photographed place in Sikkim and the best photographs can be shot by standing on the foot bridge situated at a lower level of the waterfall.
Another best time to visit the Seven Sisters Waterfalls is just after the end of winter when the snow starts melting. The view of the melting snow from the waterfall is simply breathtaking.
The locals also use this place as a one- day picnic destination as it makes an ideal place to spend quality time with family and kids. There is a small cafeteria and a waiting room for travellers and visitors. The cafeteria was built and is maintained by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Sikkim.
Timings – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
6. Kabi Town
Also known as Kabi Longstok, the small town of Kabi is situated 17 kilometers from Gangtok and is famous for its 14th century history of a friendship treaty which was signed between the Tibetan Chieftain, Khey Bumsa and the Lepcha Tribal Chief, Tetong Tek. A huge stone pillar was erected in the middle of the dense forest to mark the event of the friendship treaty at the same location where the agreement was signed. Additionally, two life size statues of Bhutia and Lepcha, the blood brothers were also erected near the stone pillar.
There is a temple called the Thakubari temple in the middle of the forest and it is recommended that travelers visit the temple for it is associated with the history of the town. In addition to the temple, there is also a Buddhist monastery situated in Kabi wherein young monks get their religious education. You may also visit the town library to get more insights and information about the town and its history.
Timings – No specific timing. Visit at convenience.
7. Do Drul Chorten Stupa
Do Drul Chorten Stupa is the best place for peace lovers who come seeking to spend some time in peace in the hill town of Gangtok. It has the famous 108 Mani Lhakor, also commonly known as the Buddhist prayer wheels which are engraved with Buddhist chantings or mantras. The devotees rotate the prayer wheels and recite the chantings one by one.
Surrounded by Chorten Lakahang and Chorten Guru that house two statues of Padmasambhava, who is also called Guru Rinpoche, the Do Drul Chorten Stupa was built by Trulshik Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma Order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1946. There is a monastery for young lamas situated adjacent to the chorten. This monastery was established by Dodhrubchen Rinpoche, as a dharma preaching center.
Timings – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
8. Rumtek Monastery
The Rumtek Monastery, originally called Dharma Chakra Centre, belongs to the Kargyu sect of Buddhists, and is believed to have originated in Tibet in the 12th Century. It is situated on a hill top at a distance of 23 kilometers from Gangtok city. The monastery is known for its walkway around the structure where devotees can perform ‘Kora’, a tradition to complete a devotional circuit around the monastery.
One can get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and the 360- degree view of the city below. There is a shrine temple along with the monastery within the same premises and was set up with the intent to spread Buddhist teachings to the world. A golden stupa has been preserved by the monastery along with various other sculptures belonging to the 16th Karmapa and this is just the small portion of a huge collection of several unique religious scriptures and other artifacts stored in the monastery.
Additionally, the monastery is decorated with murals, thangkas and religious figurines inside its massive prayer hall which adds to the aesthetics of the place.
Timings – 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
9. MG Marg
A pedestrian- only stretch of road at the town center of Gangtok, MG Marg is a 1- kilometer boulevard square famous among shopping enthusiasts. The road is a treasure trove of restaurants, shopping centers, pubs, cafes, discotheques, and is a litter, spit free and smoke free zone.
It is also very picturesque due to its eclectic ambience that includes Victorian lamps and benches. Along with shopping, tourists and visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the stretch that extends from the Sikkim Tourism Center at one end to the main taxi stand at another end. Gangtok, being a part of the government’s green initiative, the buildings lining MG Marg are green in color.
Another landmark famous at the MG Marg is the promoter of peace, love and harmony in the region or the Statue of Unity as it is famously known, which overlooks the area. The sculptures that comprise the Statue of Unity include the statues of Bhutia Chieftain Khye Bumsa, the Lepcha leader Thetong Tek and his wife Ngo Kong ngol.
Timings – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
The MG Marg remains closed on Tuesdays.
10. Deorali Orchid Sanctuary
Well known for its extensive collection of orchids, the Deorali Orchid Sanctuary is located adjacent to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and is considered an ecological hotspot due to the variety of species of orchids it houses. Out of the 454 existing species of orchids in the entire world, Deorali Orchid Sanctuary alone has 200 of them. The tropical humid weather of the North-East India region makes a perfect climatic set up for these orchids to bloom.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the blooming season which extends between April to May, July to August and October to November. In Addition to orchids, the sanctuary also is home to around 40 varieties of rhododendrons. Hence, depending on the month you are visiting, you may get to see different species of the orchids based on their blooming seasons.
Timings – 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
11. Banjhakri Falls
The 100 feet Banjhakri waterfall is located within a man- made landscaped park which also couples up to be an energy park. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city center of Gangtok, this place is best for people who seek peaceful experiences. It is also famous among locals as a family picnic spot at a short distance from the city.
Spread across an area of 2 acres, the forest land on which Banjhakri falls is located, is at a distance of 7- 10 kilometers from Gangtok city center and on the way to Ranka Monastery. The source of the waterfall is believed to be a freshwater spring that is located high up in the mountains.
The literal meaning of Ban Jhakri is the Jungle Priest or the Jungle Magician and according to the Nepali folklore, is a traditional healer. The figurines of several Nepali mythology and shamanic deities are interspersed around the garden. They include the statues of Ban Jhakri ancestors, Lyam Lamay, Mangpas and Lepcha. They depict the rituals and healing ceremonies that are followed in the life of a shaman. The Nepali folklore has it that the shaman named Ban Jhakri possesses unconventional powers and resides in the forests and worships spirits.
Timings – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee – INR 50
12. Lal Bazaar
When it comes to experiencing the vibrant colors and tradition of Sikkim, Gangtok’s Lal Bazaar proves to be at its best. Located at a walking distance from Gangtok’s city center and also from most of the hotels in the area, Lal Bazaar is situated just below the famous MG Marg. This used to be the old market which has now been redesigned with new amenities and modern infrastructure. The Lal Bazaar especially comes to life on Sundays when the ethnic groups from nearby villages of Gangtok gather to sell their products that vary from local farm produce, wares, accessories and apparels.
It is the best way to know about the various tribes around Gangtok and also sharpen your bargaining skills to get the best price for the products on sale here, you need to haggle pretty hard. The old market which is now turned into a modern shopping center has a new name – The Khangchendzonga Shopping Plaza. This market was built by J. Lal, who used to be the Dewan of the Chogyal. It was built in 1956.
It is recommended to buy the local products available here. They are diverse and range from incense sticks to local yak cheese, butter to electronic gadgets as well. The distinct smell of dried fish, vegetables and cheese would remain in your senses for a long time. You would also find organic vegetable outlets.
The shopping complex is a 4 storeyed building complex including the ground floor. The ground floor and the 1st floor majorly cater to vegetables and other eateries. The 2nd and 3rd floors are where you can shop for clothes, electronics and other items. Photography is also allowed inside the market however; it is highly recommended to take good care of your belongings.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
