A great globetrotter once said that “Great things are done when men and mountains meet”, and the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok is a perfect destination for a meet and greet with the mighty Himalayas. With a plethora of places to visit in Gangtok, you sure can do great things. Gangtok is a mystical destination boasting incredible beauty, natural abundance, and misty weather; that will leave you speechless the moment you reach there.
With numerous picturesque landscapes, cascading waterfalls, Buddhist monasteries, and a jaw-dropping view of Kanchenjunga peak, there is no dearth of Gangtok tourist places. Keep reading to find out what all places you should visit.
Situated on the old silk route at the Indo- China border, Nathu La is a high altitude pass and one of the major attractions in Gangtok. Thousands of tourists visit Gangtok to trek to the pass while listening to melodious sounds of the valley and waterfalls gushing down the mountains. The breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains under the light blue sky will make you fall in love with this place. Situated at a height of 4310 meters above sea level, Nathu La is surely one of the best places to visit in Gangtok.
Nestled at the height of 12,310 feet above sea level, Tsogmo Lake is a glacial lake near Gangtok. The word ‘Tsomgo’ means source of water, and the lake is also known as Changu Lake. The Jawahar Lal Nehru Road from Gangtok leads straight to Tosmgo Lake. The lake becomes one of the best places to visit in Gangtok with the reflections of surrounding hills on the water. Tsomgo Lake is 50 feet deep and an oval-shaped high altitude water body.
The Namgyal Institute in Gangtok is an important institution to study and research Tibetan culture and history. One of the most famous Gangtok tourist places, Namgyal Institute houses a museum and a library that preserves religious and cultural artifacts including statues, paintings, coins, and embroideries. Designed by keeping Tibetan architectural methods in mind, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is an attraction in itself, which boasts a huge facade, intricately designed frescos, and golden towers making it one of the popular places to visit in Gangtok.
Also Read: 10 Famous Festivals Of Sikkim That Are Totally Worth Experiencing
Tashi viewpoint is a spot in Gangtok famous for its most enchanting views of sunsets and sunrises with a backdrop of some of the highest peaks in the world. This a great place to shoot pictures and hence, one of the best places to visit in Gangtok for photographers and videographers. The views of the Sinilochu and Kanchenjunga mountains draw tourists towards Tashi Viewpoint.
Located at 4,000 meters above sea level, there is Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, which was erected in honor of an Indian Army soldier who sacrificed his life during the Indo-China war. The soldiers believe that Baba Harbhajan Singh still visits this post and protects his country and soldiers against the enemies. The temple houses a huge picture of Harbhajan Singh, making it an interesting and one-of-a-kind place to visit in Gangtok.
One of the most significant and biggest monasteries in Gangtok, Rumtek Monastery is located 23 kilometers away from the city center. Also known as the Dharmachakra Centre, it belongs to the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibet. The monastery houses a golden stupa and a huge hall where monks carry out prayers. You can see the whole city from the top of the Monastery. The colorful architecture and pristine landscape make it one of the most admired places to visit in Gangtok.
Spread over 205 hectares of land, Himalayan Zoological Park is a great place to witness the Himalayan wildlife. The zoo is a humble abode to some of the most exotic species like Himalayan red panda, Himalayan palm civet, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, goral, and many other species of flora and fauna. The park offers a great view of Kanchenjunga and is amongst the most important places to visit in Gangtok.
As the name suggests, the Seven Sisters Waterfalls flow in seven stages but only 4 are visible to the visitors. The seven streams of the waterfall gush down a rugged cliff arranged sideways. The milky water falling from a great height is the epitome of nature’s creativity. The sound of water dropping down coupled with the awe-inspiring views make this spot one of the most beautiful places to visit in Gangtok. The seven sisters waterfalls is a favorite of photographers as they are an amazing backdrop for pictures.
Sitting at a height of 4,500 meters above sea level, Phodong Monastery is home to more than 250 Buddhist monks and is a significant religious place for Buddhists. The jaw-dropping exterior, intricate designs, astounding interiors with colorful paintings, frescoes, and murals will leave you in awe. Phodong Monastery is one of the six most important monasteries in Sikkim hence, one of the popular places to visit in India.
Built in 1945 by Trulshik Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma order of Tibet Buddhism, Do Drul Chorten is a Buddhist Stupa. This religious structure houses 108 Mani Lhakor (prayer wheels) engraved with mantras. Visitors chant mantras while rotating these prayer wheels. Do Drul Chorten is home to the oldest scriptures known as Dorjee Phurba and hence, one of the important places to visit in Gangtok for Buddhist people.
India is no short on tourist attractions and destinations. Northeast India is still unexplored and untouched and places to visit in Gangtok are just a handful of northeastern highlights. Find what else the northeastern region of India has to offer on Adotrip. Explore India and beyond with Adotrip because with us, nothing is far!
