Wheels on the Hills: Places to visit in Gangtok
Resting on the lap of Eastern Himalayas Gangtok can be a perfect escape for you from the mundane life. It is the vibrant capital city of Sikkim, the first fully organic state of India. Being a city Gangtok is never too loud with its urban cacophony. The meandering road along the lushy green mountains will give you the thrill to touch the clouds. In this blog you will get to know about best places to visit in Gangtok that you can cover within a day.
How to reach Gangtok:
Being the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok is well communicated with the plains through its various transportation facilities. You can easily reach Gangtok by air and also by road via train, bus or car.
By air:
The nearest airport is the Pakyong which is around 27 kms away from Gangtok city. Although flight options are very few there. You can also come to Bagdogra which is the busiest airport of Northeast and then get a car or bus to travel to Gangtok.
By road:
Alternatively, you can reach there by road too. From New Jalpaigudi Junction (NJP) railway station you can get private buses, shared or reserved car to reach Gangtok. Moreover, from NBSTC bus stand near Siliguri railway station you can get buses run by Sikkim government.
Best time to visit Gangtok:
The most pleasant time to visit Gangtok is during the summer, autumn or spring. In these seasons the temperature of this place hovers around 10- 25 degree Celsius. The climate remains mostly cloudless and less foggy making the scenic beauty of Kanchenjunga more prominent. Moreover, the risks of landslides and road blockade due to heavy rainfall remains minimal in these seasons. You can choose Gangtok as a pleasant escape from the heat waves of summer.
Places to visit in Gangtok:
MG Marg
This is the most happening place of Gangtok. MG Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) welcomes you warmly with an aesthetic and smiling statue of Mahatma Gandhi in front of it. It is basically a marketplace where you can get several shops selling variety of items, restaurants, travel agency chambers etc. This place is well decorated with solar-powered lights, colourful blooming plants, fountain, Victorian benches etc. You can truly enjoy a walk with your loved ones in this vehicle and litter free pavement.
Gonjang Monastery
This monastery is located within 8 kms from MG Marg at Fatak Bojhogari at the altitude of around 6066 fts. This monastery was established in 1981 and operated by the monks of Nyingma order of Buddhism. The majestic architecture, adorned with fluttering colorful prayer flags, prayer wheels inscribed with mantras, and remarkable Buddhist artifacts surely leaves you wonderstruck. Moreover, the peaceful and calm ambience of this place and the magnificent panoramic view of the natural beauty will imbue a sense of divinity within your mind.
Tashi Viewpoint
Next in the bucket list will be Tashi viewpoint that is very close to Gonjang monastery. In clear sunny days you can experience the beauty of majestic Kanchenjunga from this place. The most magical moment is the sunrise and the sunset. The sunlit hues at dawn and dusk on the frosted peaks of Kanchenjunga makes it lively and a vision to behold.
Ganesh tok
It is a small temple of Lord Ganesha located approximately 6 kms away from the main town. You can start your day in Gangtok by experiencing the serenity of this place. As this temple is perched on the hilltop you can enjoy the sweeping vista of city and the icy peaks of Kanchenjunga if the weather is favourable.
Hanuman tok
Whether you are a spiritual seeker or not Hanuman tok is an unmissable destination of Gangtok tour. About 11 kms far from the city it is nestled at almost 7200 feet altitude. This temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, can be the best place for you to pray and meditate in tranquility. The prayer flags along misty hills flattering with mountain breeze and the breathtaking view of the natural beauty fills this place with divine pleasure.
Bakthang waterfalls
Whether you’re exploring Gangtok leisurely or looking for a scenic detour, Bakthang Falls offers a simple yet delightful experience amidst nature. This beautiful waterfall surrounded by charming green valley is undoubtedly a great attraction for photographers and adventure lovers. You can try out a short ziplining experience or can take pictures wearing the local outfits to make your trip memorable.
Lhasa waterfalls
This is another waterfall near the city that can offer you the most refreshing time of your life. This narrow yet gorgeous waterfall, embraced by soothing green forest, will surely calm your inner exuberance and fill your heart with utter peace.
Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden
This can be the perfect escape from the cacophony of the busy streets of Gangtok. Close to city this botanical garden is abode to lots of native and exotic trees and plants. The beautifully maintained pathways, vibrant flowerbeds, and serene ponds make it a perfect spot for leisurely walks and photography. You need to pay a nominal entry fee of rupees 10 per head in sake of maintenance of this garden. You can visit Rumtek monastery situated nearby and also enjoy the picturesque view of Kanchenjunga from this place.
