East Sikkim

Services

State

Sikkim


		Introduction

		Sightseeing

		Accommodation

		Transport

		Festivals

		Travel Essentials

		Entry Formalities

		Trekking & River Rafting

		Sikim Airport
		East Sikim
		West Sikim
		North Sikim
		South Sikim
		Monastery Sikim

State	Sikkim

City	Gangtok

Airports	Bagdogra

Distance from Bagdogra	124 Km/80 Mile

Railway Junctions	Nearest railhead New Jalpaiguri

Local Languages	Bhutia, Lepcha

East Sikkim - Introduction

East district is the hub of all administrative activity of Sikkim. At the heart of this district capital of the state Gangtok (5500 ft.) is situated. It is a fast-developing, charming, laid-back city straddling a ridge with houses spilling down the hill-side. Enchey Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist lamasery situated on a hill-top above the Gangtok city offers a panoromic view of the town and surrounding hills. A few kms away from the city The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, houses rare statues, ritual objects, thanka paintings. A visit to the Tashi View Point in early morning would be most rewarding with its spectacular panoramic view of Great Khanchendzonga Range. Do Drul Chorten, Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom, Sikkim Flower Show Complex are the other important places to visit.

Rumtek Monastery
A 24 kms drive from Gangtok on the opposite hill is the Dharma Chakra Centre, Rumtek Monastery. This is the seat of Gyalwa Karmapa Lama, the head of the Kagyupa Order of Tibetan Buddhisam. Behind the main monastery is the Karma Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies and the building opposite to it is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded Chorten, which contains the ashes and the bones of the 16th Gyolwa Karmapa.

Tsomgo Lake
The sacred lake Tsomgo Lake is situated 38 kms from Gangtok. Tsomgo in the Bhutia language means "source". It is located at a height of 12400 ft. The lake collects water from the melting snow of the surrounding mountains. Tsomgo lies on the ancient trade route between Gangtok and Nathula Pass.

Nathula Pass
20 kms ahead from Tsomgo lake is Nathula Pass (14000 ft) is a famous gateway to Tibet. This place is situated oin the border of India and China. The pass is on the old caravan trail that started from the Tsomgo lake travers through Nathula and on to Tibate.




Assam Eastern States Guide Map