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Gangtok,
the capital of Sikkim with a population of approximately 50,000
has emerged into the mainstream of the Tourism Industry, with
more and more tourist visiting this little Himalayan state every
year. Gangtok has developed into a cosmopolitan flavour where
old-world charm and hospitality exist along with the Internet
Age.
With different cultures and religion existing in perfect harmony,
Gangtok has shown that "Unity in Diversity" exists
in Sikkim. Sikkimese have strong bonding with their age-old
traditions and customs. However, a quick survey of Gangtok shows
that the bubble of modernization has burst with a bang in the
town. The capital is definitely not behind the rest of the world
in terms of urbanization - Broad roads, flyovers, posh markets,
state-of-art hospital, educational institutes, fast food outlets,
discothèques, and all other modern amenities that the
heart can desire for. One imposing manmade landmark of the town
is the 200 ft-high TV tower which overlooks the town and is
situated near the Enchey Monastry below Ganesh Tok. A stroll
along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg is shopper's delight- Hotels,
restaurants, curios, footwear and almost everything is available.
Be here to experience the magic.
General Info :
Population:50,000
Area: 15 2 km (approx.)
Elevation: 5,480 ft (1780 m)
Climate:
SUMMER:
Min: 13o C
Max: 21o C
WINTER:
Min: o C
Max: o C
Annual Rainfall: 3894 mm
Best Tourist Season: April to Mid-June; Mid
September to November
Best Mountain Views: Mid Sept. - Mid Dec.
Recommended Clothing: Light woollens and tropicals
in summer (umbrellas and raincoats are useful) and heavy woollen
in winter.
Language Spoken: English, Nepali, Hindi, Bhutia,
Lepcha and Tibetan.
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| Government
Institute of Cottage Industry
It is now known as the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms
as well as the Government Institute of Cottage Industries(GICI).
Started during the time of the Chogyals of Sikkim, as a venture
to preserve, protect and propagate the authentic Sikkimese
arts, handicrafts and skills of local and village artisans,
it has become one of the major attractions for people visiting
Sikkim where beautiful souvenirs like carpets, hand carved
tables (choktses), traditional handcrafts, furniture, handlooms
carpets and other products are produced & exhibited for
sale. A word of caution to the innocent guest.
Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa)
The Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa was built by the venerable Trulshi
Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism in
1945.Around this Chorten, which is one of the most important
stupas in Sikkim, are 10 Mani-Lhakor (prayer wheels). These
prayer wheels are turned by the devout Buddhist while chanting
"Hail to the jewel in the Lotus", to invoke the
Buddhisattva. The Chorten is surrounded by Chorten Lakhang,
where there are two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).
Enchey Monastery
Located on a hilltop above Gangtok this monastery rebuilt
in 1910 belongs to the Nyingmapa order and was once the hermitage
site of Lama Drupthob Karpo renowned for his power of flying.
Ridge Park & White Hall Complex
The Ridge is a small stretch of plain and flat road above
the town of Gangtok. It is just about fifteen minutes walk
from the main market. The Ridge has the White Hall and the
Chief Minister's official residence, known as the Mintokgang,
meaning "blossomed crowned hilltop" on one end and
the beautifully designed Palace Gate with a pagoda rooftop
on the other end. A statue of Nehru, the late Prime Minister
of India, adorns the roundabout above White Hall.
Hanuman Tok
Distance - 5½ km ( from Gangtok )
Altitude - 7,200 ft.
Situated about 5 km uphill from White Hall on a bifurcation
road of the Gangtok-Nathula Highway, is a temple devoted to
Hanuman, a God worshipped by the Hindus. On selected points
on the road to the temple, breathtaking views of Gangtok and
the adjoining rolling hills can be seen.
Himalayan Zoological Park
The park is located exactly across the road opposite Ganesh
Tok and covers an area of 205 hectares. This area is also
known as Bulbuley and extends almost upto Hanuman Tok. Although
a 3 kms long jeepable road runs right through the park, vehicles
are not allowed in. There is a paved cement path that passes
by fenced open air enclosures housing the red pandas, Barking
Deer, bears and other animals of Sikkim in a semi natural
habitat. As the enclosures encompass a huge area the animals
are sometimes not easily visible and one has to be patient
to get a sight of them. Making noise drives away the animals
to take refuge behind bushes.
Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre
Distance - 5 km ( from Gangtok )
Located on a beautiful hill top it is a Tibetan refugee monastic
institution established in 1961 by his Eminence Luding Khen
Rimpoche, Head of Ngorpa, sub-sect of the Sakya Order, with
the blessing of H.H. Sakya Trizin and H.H. the Dalai Lama.
This is the only monastery of the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism
in Sikkim.
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Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center
Distance - 24 km ( from Gangtok )
Built in - 1960A short drive from Gangtok will take you to
Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre. Built in 1960 by His Holiness
the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa it is a replica of the original
Kagyurpa Monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet, the seat of His Holiness
the Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche, head of the Karmapa sub sect
of Kargyudpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. It now functions as
the headquarters of the Dharma Chakra Religious Centre.
Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden
Located very close to Rumtek Monastery just half a kilometer
before reaching Rumtek Monastery on the highway, it is maintained
by the parks and Gardens unit of the Forest Department of
the Government of Sikkim, the Garden is an enchanting and
soothing experience among the lush green vegetation, rare
plants and trees and certain species of Himalayan flowers
and Orchids.
Saramsa Garden
Distance - 14 km ( from Gangtok )
Entry Fee - Rs.Also know as lpecac Garden, the home of Sikkim's
most exotic orchids and other rare tropical and temperate
plants. The garden is know as Ipecac garden because of the
plant Ipecac that is grown here. Established and maintained
by the Department of Forest, it is an excellent recreation
and picnic spot. Besides this plant, this garden also contains
a wide variety of other flora including numerous types of
orchids and medicinal plants.
Water Garden
Distance - 16 km ( from Gangtok )
Water Garden at Martam Khola is on the 31-A National Highway
south of Gangtok. It is an ideal spot for picnic with a small
swimming pool for children.
Tsomgo(Changu) Lake
Distance - 40 km ( from Gangtok )
Altitude - 12,210 ft
A must visit for all tourists. The drive from Gangtok takes
about 2½ hours by bus. The lake is about 1 km. long
and oval in shape, 50ft deep . This is an alpine zone and
snowbound from December to April and the lake is regarded
extremely Holy holy and head of all lakes in Sikkim remains
frozen from January to April, and attracts 99% of tourists
visiting Gangtok, Sikkim. It is also a home of Brahmini ducks
besides stopover for various migratory ducks.
Menmecho Lake
Distance - 60 km ( from Gangtok )
This is another beautiful lake located twenty kilometres ahead
of the (Changu) lake. Quite big in size, it lies cradled between
the mountains below the Jelepla pass and is also the source
of the river Rangpo-chu which meets the Teesta at Rangpo.
Like the (Changu) Lake, it also derives its water from the
melting snow around especially from the stream that originates
just below the Jelepla pass.
Nathula Pass
Distance - 54 km ( from Gangtok )
Altitude - 14790 ft.(4,392 m)
20 km further away from is the famed Nathula pass. The pass
Nathula means the whistling pass. Nathula is the Indo-China
border at Jawahar Lal Nehru Road whereby Indian troops and
the Red army stand face to face. This is the closest an Indian
Tourist can travel and pose a photo or two with the Red Army.
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Foreigners
visiting Gangtok must possess an Indian visa. In addition to
an Indian visa, foreigners must obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP)
to visit Sikkim. The permits can be obtained from all Indian
missions, Tourism Office, New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism Office,
Calcutta and Sikkim Tourism Office, Siliguri on the strength
of an Indian Visa.
Local Transport: Private Taxis, Jeeps and
Landrovers ply regularly on the Gangtok- Siliguri Highway and
are available for transfer of passengers between Gangtok and
Siliguri/ New Jalpaiguri Junction/ Bagdogra, and also for local
sightseeing at fixed rates and may be reserved through Tourist
Bureau, Govt. of West Bengal, Gangtok. Air
Connections: Nearest airport is Bagdogra in West
Bengal( 124 kms.)
Helicopter Service: between Gangtok
- Bagdogra - Gangtok
Road Connections: Gangtok is connected with
all weather mettaled road with Siliguri, Kalimpong, Gangtok
etc.
Rail Connections: New Jalpaiguri in West
Bengal (148 kms.)
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