Places to visit in

Sikkim

Gangtok is the capital city of the Indian state of Sikkim and the principal gateway to the eastern Himalaya. It is an administrative, cultural and commercial hub known for its scenic setting on a ridge above the Teesta River. Historically, Gangtok grew in importance during the Namgyal monarchy (19th–20th century) and later became the state capital; it is a center for Tibetan-Buddhist culture, home to important monasteries and institutes. Natural significance includes proximity to the Khangchendzonga range (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and rich biodiversity in the Eastern Himalaya ecozone.

MG Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg), Gangtok is the central pedestrian promenade and social heart of Sikkim's capital. It functions as the main public square where locals and visitors gather to shop, dine, relax and attend civic events. The Marg showcases Gangtok's modern urban life while offering easy access to nearby monasteries, markets and viewpoints of the Himalayan panorama, including views toward Kanchenjunga on clear days.

Rumtek Monastery (Rumtek Dharmachakra Centre) is the main seat in exile of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism established by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. It is one of Sikkim's most important religious and cultural landmarks—an active monastery, a center for Tibetan art and learning, and a symbol of the Tibetan Buddhist presence in northeast India. The complex preserves sacred relics, thangkas, ritual objects and manuscripts and plays a key role in keeping Kagyu rituals, teachings and monastic education alive outside Tibet.

Enchey Monastery (meaning "Solitary Monastery") is a historic Nyingma Buddhist monastery perched on a ridge in Gangtok, Sikkim. Traditionally founded in the early 19th century, it is an important spiritual centre for Tibetan Buddhism in the region, known for its religious rituals, ancient murals, statues and relics. The monastery also offers scenic views of Gangtok town and the surrounding Himalayan foothills, connecting cultural importance with natural beauty.

Lingdum (Ranka) Monastery is a contemporary Buddhist monastery set in the Ranka valley of East Sikkim. Perched on a hill, it serves as a peaceful religious centre for local devotees and visiting pilgrims and is valued for its serene environment, religious art, and panoramic views of the surrounding Himalaya. The site contributes to Sikkim's rich tapestry of Himalayan Buddhist culture and provides a living example of Tibetan-influenced monastic life in the region.

Tsuklakhang (Royal Chapel) in Gangtok is the principal state chapel of Sikkim and an important center of Tibetan-Buddhist worship connected historically to the Namgyal royal family. It has served as the focal point for state religious ceremonies, coronations, funerary rites of the Chogyals (kings), and other official rituals, making it both a spiritual and cultural landmark in Sikkim. The chapel houses traditional Buddhist altars, statues and wall paintings that reflect the region’s lamaist traditions and the close ties between the Sikkimese monarchy and Tibetan Buddhism.

Do-Drul Chorten Stupa (often written Dorje Drul Chorten) is one of Sikkim's most important Buddhist monuments. Built in 1945 by the eminent lama Trulshik Rinpoche, it houses consecrated relics and ritual objects (including a Dorje/Phurba) and serves as a major center for Kagyupa traditions in Gangtok. The stupa and its surrounding complex are focal points for local spiritual life and pilgrimage, offering insight into Tibetan-Buddhist architecture, ritual, and monastic practice in Sikkim.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok, Sikkim is a premier centre for the study and preservation of Tibetan culture, language, and Buddhist philosophy in the eastern Himalaya. Established in the mid-20th century under the patronage of the Chogyal dynasty, the institute has grown into an internationally respected research and museum complex that safeguards rare manuscripts, ancient thangkas, statues, and cultural artifacts important to Tibetan and Himalayan history.

Himalayan Zoological Park, Sikkim is an important conservation and educational facility dedicated to the protection and study of high-altitude Himalayan fauna. Located near Gangtok, the park plays a key role in ex-situ conservation, captive breeding and rehabilitation programs for threatened species native to the Eastern Himalaya. It also serves as a public awareness centre showcasing the unique biodiversity of Sikkim and promoting responsible eco-tourism.

Flower Exhibition Centre (Ridge Park), Gangtok, Sikkim is a key horticultural attraction that showcases the state's rich floral biodiversity—especially orchids, rhododendrons and other alpine and subtropical species. Managed as part of Sikkim's efforts in promoting floriculture, conservation and eco-tourism, the centre plays an important role in educating visitors about local plant species and sustainable gardening practices.

Saramsa Garden (often referred to as the Ranka Botanical Garden) is a well‑known horticultural and recreational site near Gangtok, Sikkim. It serves both as a public park and a centre for promoting local horticulture, showcasing a wide variety of ornamental and native plants — particularly orchids and rhododendrons — and contributing to conservation and environmental education in the region.

Tashi View Point is one of the most celebrated vantage points in Sikkim for sweeping panoramas of the eastern Himalayas, especially the majestic Kanchenjunga range. It holds natural importance as a vantage site for observing alpine scenery, sunrise and cloud inversion phenomena. Culturally, the place is lined with prayer flags and reflects Tibetan-Bhutia influences common across Sikkim; Tashi means 'auspicious' in Tibetan, adding spiritual resonance to visits.

Ganesh Tok is a small hilltop temple and popular viewpoint in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Perched on a ridge above the town, it is significant both as a local Hindu place of worship dedicated to Lord Ganesha and as a natural vantage point offering sweeping panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas, including glimpses of the Kanchenjunga range on clear days. The site is valued by locals and visitors for its blend of spiritual ambiance and scenic beauty.

Hanuman Tok is a small but popular Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman located on a hillside in Gangtok, Sikkim. It is valued both as a place of worship for locals and pilgrims and as a scenic viewpoint offering sweeping views of Gangtok town and the eastern Himalayan range, including glimpses of Kanchenjunga on clear days. The temple is also associated with the presence and upkeep by local authorities and the Indian Army, adding to its reputation as a well-maintained, peaceful shrine.

Banjhakri Falls is a scenic waterfall and cultural park in East Sikkim, celebrated for its natural beauty and its association with local shamanic folklore. The site blends ecological interest — lush temperate forest and a natural cascade — with cultural interpretation, showcasing Sikkimese and Nepali shamanic traditions through sculptures and displays. It is a popular short-excursion destination for both tourists and locals and serves as an accessible example of Sikkim's montane ecosystems near Gangtok.

Natural scenic spot: Bakthang Waterfall is valued primarily for its natural beauty, lush surroundings, and the tranquil setting typical of Sikkim's Himalayan hill country. It contributes to local biodiversity by supporting riparian plants and attracting birds and insects.

Gangtok Ropeway is a modern aerial cable car system and one of Gangtok's most accessible tourist attractions. It offers a quick, panoramic perspective of the city, surrounding ridgelines and valleys, and on clear days views of Kanchenjunga. While not a historic site, the ropeway plays an important role in the city's tourism infrastructure by giving visitors a safe, elevated vantage point to appreciate Sikkim's Himalayan landscape and urban layout.

Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary is a biologically rich protected area in the Eastern Himalaya near Gangtok, Sikkim. It forms part of the Sikkim Himalayan foothills and conserves mid-elevation temperate forests that are important for regional biodiversity, watershed protection, and habitat connectivity. The sanctuary supports many Himalayan species and serves as an important green escape for residents of Gangtok and visiting naturalists.

Tsomgo (Changu) Lake is a high-altitude glacial lake in East Sikkim, India (approx. 3,753–3,780 m / 12,300–12,400 ft). It is an important natural landmark — a scenic bowl-shaped lake fed by melting snow and glaciers — and a prominent destination on the Gangtok–Nathu La corridor. The lake is culturally significant to the local Bhutia and Lepcha communities and to Tibetan Buddhists; it is regarded as sacred and is closely tied to local religious sentiments and mountain ecology.

Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is a protected high‑altitude reserve located just east of Gangtok in East Sikkim. It is valued primarily for its rich alpine and subalpine ecosystems—especially extensive rhododendron stands, medicinal plants, and high‑altitude orchids—and for providing habitat to notable Himalayan wildlife such as red panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, pheasants (e.g., Blood Pheasant), and many high‑altitude bird species. The sanctuary also acts as an important watershed area protecting local microclimates and water sources for nearby communities.