The Lofty Hill

Gangtok, popularly known as "Lofty Hill", is the Capital city of Sikkim. Gangtok further known as "the hill made flat to build the Gangtok monastery in 1716". One can feel the air of enchantment which hangs over the city and more so over the whole valley. As you look forward from the Lofty hill, one would believe that this could exist only in pictures or storybooks. As you proceed further across the hills and valleys one can hear the long trumpets of robed lamas. It is situated on the West Side of long ridge flanking Ranipul River. One can also have a spectacular & excellent view of the entire Kangchenjunga Range. Gangtok became the capital of Sikkim in 1800. It has developed as a hill station resort for holidaying Bengalis. Here all the facilities are available viz. hotels, bus stand, post office, bazaars, tourist information centre etc

A stone horse or " To Da Bu " exists at the beginning of the steep road leading to the Chorten. The main attractions of this place is a monastery called the Guru Lhakang with statues of Guru Padmasambhava & Guru Snong Zisil Gnon & the other one is an institute which has its teachings.

Tsuklakhang - the royal Chapel is the worship and the assembly place of Buddhists. It is a magnificient building and has a large collection of scriptures

Here at this place the kings of Sikkim are crowned, and it is open to visitors only during Losar i.e, in late February and early March when the dances are performed.

Here in these Orchid Sanctuaries you can see as many as 454 species of orchids. The peak season for visiting are April to May and September to December.

This institute is an institute that conducts research in language and culture of Tibet & was founded in 1957 by HH Dalai Lama & inaugrated by Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1958. It has it’s own faculty & eminent scholars.

GICI was established because of the increase in manufacture and sale of handicrafts. This is located at about  half a km from main market of Gangtok. It has its speciality in " Thankas ", hand carved wooden tables known as Choksees and also woollen carpets. It is open daily in the season, and during off-season except Sundays & every second Saturday. The carpets produced over here are famous all over the world. Followed by hand made paper variegated applique work, batiks, dolls, lamp shades, bamboo craft, brocades, boots, clothes etc.

It is also known as Rustomji Park and  in it are several varieties of deer including barking deer, spotted deer. It is located on the edge of the ridge next to secretariat.

White Hall was built in 1932 in memory of the first Political officer of Sikkim, Claude White.

This lake is recently opened for tourists with an average depth of 50 ft & is 35 km from Gangtok at an altitude of 12000 ft. Here cameras are not allowed. At a little distance from the lake is a beautiful 3-storyed cave, the Tseten Tashi.

It is 14 km from Gangtok & is named after the plant Ipecac which is commonly grown here. It is a 6 acres garden & contains variety of other flora.

It is situated 20 km ahead of Changu Lake. This lake is the source of river Ranpochu & craddled between the mountains below Jelapha pass.

Kechopari means "Wishing" & it is often  called as wishing lake. It  lies on the bifurcation  between Gyalsing and Yoksum. It is surrounded with dense forests and wildlife.