Distance

A natural hotspring is another attraction of the tourist who are said to have had relief of their skin ailment after having bath there. The visit is on the passing of Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Yumthang valley is a mesmerizing scene with yaks grazing on flower - carpeted meadows against a backdrop of towering peaks.  It has breathtaking views where one can become a part of a timeless scene without any kind of intrusion.

Photographs of the natural scenes of Switzerland and Yumthang valley look so similar that it is difficult to distinguish between them. Yumthang which is at an altitude of 12,000 ft is situated about 135 kms from Gangtok in North Sikkim. But going there is like travelling 135 years back in time - it is so remote and almost untouched by the vagaries of civilisation. It is well known for its hot springs to reach which one has to walk a few hundred yards from the road and across a pedestrian bridge on the River Lachung. For the convenience of bathers a hut with two pools in which the hot spring water collects has been constructed. Hot water rich in sulphur, emanates from a spring just behind the hut and is diverted to the pools. It is difficult to imagine that water so hot in its natural form could be found in a place so cold. Yumthang is now open to foreigners and has also caught the fancy of filmmakers and a part of some movies have been shot here. Although Yumthang itself is located on a flat valley and is near the tree-line, the surrounding mountains seem to touch the heavens. The route to Yumthang from Lachung - adjoining the Singba Forest Reserve -has a very picturesque landscape and is lined with rhododendrons which bloom at their best in May. What is particularly interesting about the rhododendrons of the Yumthang valley is that they bloom in different colours unlike those in other parts of Sikkim which are usually red. Tourists require an Inner Line permit which can be obtained with the help of the travel agent to visit this place. During the tourist season, the Tourism Department organizes package tours to Yumthang. Tours to Yumthang are also organized by some local travel agents. Visitors are not permitted to take their private vehicles to Yumthang. Yumthang has a Forest Department Rest House but tourists are normally accommodated at the Tourist Lodge named Yaksey 6 kms from Lachung towards Yumthang. Yumthang itself has no population and the few yak herders around are nomadic. Another 23 kms ahead of Yumthang are the hot springs of Yumey- Sarndong on the river Sebu-chu at the foot of the mountain on which lies the Donkiala pass that connects the Lachung valley to the Lachen valley.

These hot springs are located about 25 kms from Gyalshing near Reshi on the River Rangit. One has to walk about ten minutes from the highway across the River Rangit by a pedestrian bridge to reach the hot springs. The water of these springs has medicinal value as it contains sulphur and can cure some skin diseases. People from all over the state and neighboring Darjeeling come here during the winter months and spend days together lying submerged in the soothing water of the hot spring. There are a couple of trekkers' huts for the convenience of the tourists. These springs also considered very holy as one of the four holy caves is located here. This holy cave is called the Kadosang phu or cave of the occult fairies and lies on the south of the four cardinal points. Kechopari Lake

Kechopari Lake at an altitude of about 6,000 ft is located on a bifurcation on the road between Gyalshing and Yoksum. Kechopari means the Wishing Lake. The water in this lake is placid and crystal clear. Not even a leaf can be seen floating on the water surface although there is a beautiful dense forest above the lake. It is said that if a leaf drops on the surface of the water it is picked by a bird. A trekkers' hut has been built near the lake for the convenience of the tourists.