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NORTH SIKKIM
KABI LUNGTSOK - This historical place is 17 kms. from Gangtok on the
North Sikkim highway. This is where the historic
treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepcha Chief
Te-Kung-Tek and the Bhutia Chief Khey-Bum-Sar was
signed ritually. The spot where the ceremony took
place is marked by a memorial stone pillar amidst the
cover of dense forest.
SINGIEK - The place offers one of the most spectacular views of
Mt. Khangchendzonga and its ranges. A well known
Tourism wayside accommodation for visitors is also
available. The area also has a number of interesting
short nature trails for 1 to 3 days along the higher
ridges of the surrounding hills.
CHUNGTHANG - Chungthang, on the confluence of Lachen and Lachung
Chu and the starting point of river teesta , has
emerged as a major sub-division settlement in North
Sikkim. It is the nodal junction for the two passes,
Lachen and Lachung. The valley is believed to have
been blessed by guru Rimpoche and one can visit the
Holy Guru Ihedu to see the foot and palm left behind
by the patron saint. The place, rich in Bio-Diversity
with a large variety of orchids , plants & wild life,
is 95 kms. from Gangtok, 23 kms. from Lachung , 29 kms.
from Lachen, and is predominantly a Lepcha region.
YUMTHANG - Yumthang, at an elevation of 11,800 ft. & 140 kms.
from Gangtok, is a paradise for nature lovers with a
fascinating blend of flora & fauna and breathtaking
scenic grandeur. Yumthang "Tsa-Chu" or the hot spring
on the left bank of Lachung Chu is immensely popular
for its curative and healing power. Covered with
rhododendron shrubs and trees, the entire valley
erupts into a riot of colors in May. Yak and Yeti
Travels organise 'Alpine Package Tour' for 2 nights
and 3 days and also for 7 nights 8 days and the night
stay for the tour is at Lachung, a quaint village
which has its own unique beauty and lifestyle. On the
way to Lachung is Singhik where one can see the
magnificient Kanchendzonga range in its splendour.
SOUTH SIKKIM
NAMTSE - Namtse, meaning sky high, nestled among the hills at
an elevation of 5500 ft., commands panoramic view of
the snow capped mountains and vast stretches of
valley. it is also the HQ of the south district. The
area is fast developing into a tourist destination
with its immense potential for all round tourist
activities. It is about 78 kms. from Gangtok and 100
kms. from Siliguri.
TENDONG HILL - Above Damthang, overlooking South District Headquarter
town Namtse, there is a small flat stretch of land at
an altitude of 8530 ft.,surrounded by lush green
ancient forest which is popularly known as the Tendong
Hill. Historically, this has been a place of recluse
for Buddhist Lamas who spend years in meditation
amidst the silent scenic grandeur. The view from the
top of the Tendong Hill is something to be cherished
and enjoyed as it spans across plains of Bengal to the
majestic heights of the Himalayan Ranges. One can also
proceed to Namtse by trekking via Tendong Hill
following the traditional route used in the old days.
Such trekking is also possible throughout the year
except during monsoons, that is if one is scared of
ubiquitous leaches.
RAVANGLA - At the base of Maenam Hill is Ravangla, a small
township and transit to various tourist destinations
in South Sikkim and West Sikkim . It is also an
upcoming tourist spot, and transit point for trekkers
to Maenam Hill and Borong. There are accommodation
facilities and numerous short nature trails. A trek
down to the sacred cave "Shar Chok Bephu", one of the
holiest caves in Sikkim..
MAENAM HILL - Maenam towers above Tendong Hill on the other side
overlooking the Ravangla Bazar settlement. situated at
an altitude of 10,300 ft., the scenic view from this
height is, perhaps, unmatched in this part of the
world. The trek from Maenam from Ravangla takes about
4 hrs. and from Maenam Hill-Top one has the option to
take the gentle trek to Borong village .
BORONG - Facing the snow-capped mountains is Borong motorable
from Ravangla or a trek via Maenam. A picturesque
village with beautiful landscape and magnificent view
is also host to the hot spring "Borong Tsa-Chu". The
trek trail, originating from Namchi or Damthang to
Tendong-Ravangla-Maenam-Borong (5 to 6 days) is one of
the most interesting trials scaling the hill tops
along the route.
VARSEY - It lies at an elevation of 10,000 ft. and has
motorable roads access up to Hilley. An easy 4 kms.
trek from there takes one up to the Varsey
rhododendron sanctuary. One can also trek from Soreng
or Dentam in West Sikkim .
EAST SIKKIM
DIRECTORATE OF HANDICRAFT & HANDLOOM - Instituted with the aim of promoting and keeping
alive the state's traditional arts and crafts, the
directorate of handicrafts & handloom is a storehouse
of hand-woven carpets with traditional motifs,
blankets, shawls in Lepcha weaves and
exquisitely-carved 'Choktse' or table and many other
gift items.
FLOWER FESTIVAL - Flower exhibitions are organized round the year at the
flower show venue near the white hall complex, Gangtok.
orchid shows held during the spring tourist season is
one of the most popular shows organized in the state.
WHITE HALL - The White Hall only has historical value and is
situated on the Ridge. It is a two storeyed structure
and has typical British architecture and was built in
1932. It is so called not because it is painted white
but because it was built in memory of the first
Political Officer of Sikkim, Claude White. There is an
Officers' Club and a badminton court in the White
Hall.
RIDGE GARDEN - The Ridge is a small stretch of plain and flat road
above the town of Gangtok. It is just about fifteen
minutes walk from the main market. The Ridge has the
White Hall and the Chief Minister's official
residence, known as the Mintogang, meaning "blossomed
crowned hilltop" on one end and the beautifully
designed Palace Gate with a Pagoda rooftop on the
other end. A statue of Nehru, the late Prime Minister
of India, adorns the roundabout above White Hall.
Situated on the Ridge is also a resting shed using
Tibetan architecture. The Ridge is lined with plants
and trees which when bloom are a riot of colours.
Flower shows which attract tourists from all over the
world are held just below the Ridge.
DO-DRUL CHORTEN (STUPA) - The Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa was built by the
venerable Truslshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order
of Tibetan Buddhism, in 1945. Inside this Stupa, there
are complete Mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba around this
Chorten, which is one of the most important Stupas in
Sikkim, are 108 Mani-lhakor(prayer wheels). These
prayer wheels are turned by the devout Buddhist while
chanting "hail to the jewel in the lotus ", to invoke
Buddhisattva.
WEST SIKKIM
RABDENTSE RUINS - This was the second capital of the erstwhile kingdom
of Sikkim after Yuksum and till the year 1814 a.d.,
the king of Sikkim had ruled the state from this
place. Today, the ruins lie hidden from the main road
at a walking distance from the tourist lodge and the
Pemayangtse monastery. It can be approached by
following a footpath which branches off the main road.
The scenic view from the top of the ruin scanning
across deep valley to the mystic heights of
Khanchendzonga ranges is something to be cherished and
etched in memory.
PELLING - Pelling is fast growing to be an urban settlement due
to tourist influx. Situated at an altitude of 6,800
ft, it offers a good view of entire mountain ranges
and due to this locational advantages, many hotels and
lodges have mushroomed in and around Pelling offering
various categories of accommodation facilities. There
is a bus service which links Pelling to west district
headquarter town of Gyalshing , situated at a distance
of 10 kms. from Pelling.
YUKSOM - This was the first capital of Sikkim, where according
to the historical records, the first Chogyal of the
kingdom of Sikkim was consecrated in 1641 a.d. by
three learned Lamas. Since the history of the state
began from this place, these areas are now considered
sacred by the people of Sikkim. Yuksum is served by
all weather road from Pemayangtse which is at a
distance of 32 kms. from Yuksun. Several categories of
accommodations are available in Yuksum for those
desiring to spend a few days there.
MONASTERY - Sikkim's near about 200 monasteries or Gompas
belonging to the Nyingma and Kagyu order have not only
been influencing the cultural heritage and lifestyle
of the people, but also demonstrates the ancient
rituals in practice.
Devoted Lamas robed in red, chant ancient mantras to
the rhythm of drums and trumpets while soft lights
flicker from decorative lamps placed before statues of
the great Guru Padmasambhava. Feel the peace and quiet
of being one with nature and close to the almighty as
sacred words mingle with the whirring prayer wheels.
The Gompas are adorned with life-like frescoes of
hoary Buddhist legends, rare silk and brocade Thangkas.
Also preserved here, are ancient Tibetan manuscripts,
exquisitely carved wood work and icons of silver and
gold.
PEMAYANGTSE MONASTERY - Pemayangtse Monastery is situated in West Sikkim at
Gyalshing (140 kms. from Gangtok) and commands an
impressive view of Mount khanchendzonga. This
monastery belongs to the Nyingma order and all other
Nyingma monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it.
RUMTEK MONASTERY - 24 Kms. from Gangtok, a drive through beautiful
countryside takes one to Rumtek Dharma Chakra centre
built in 1960'S by his holiness the late 16th GYALWA
KARMAPA when he took refuge in Sikkim after the
Chinese attack. It houses some of the worlds most
unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons.
ENCHEY MONASTERY - This monastery is situated in Gangtok on a hill top.
It was built during the reign of Thutob Namgyal .
PHENSANG MONASTERY - This monastery was built in 1721 during the time of
Jigme Pawo. In 1947 it was completely gutted by a
devastating fire. However it was rebuilt in 1948. It
is present in North Sikkim.
PHODANG MONASTERY - This monastery is in North Sikkim 28 kms. from Gangtok.
The original monastery is rebuilt and is today one of
the most beautiful monasteries in Sikkim.
TASHIDING MONASTERY - This is another important monastery belonging to the
Nyingmapa order and is about 40 Kms. from Gyalshing by
road via Legship (West Sikkim). It lies nestled on the
top of a hill that looms up between the Rathong river
and the Rangit river and is surrounded by a profusion
of Prayer flags that flutter in the air.
SANGA CHELLING MONASTERY - Sanga chelling means ' the island of esoteric
teaching'. This monastery was built in 1697 and is
situated about 7 kms. from Pemayangste. It is said to
be the oldest monastery in Sikkim.
DUBDI MONASTERY - Dubdi means 'the retreat' and this monastery was built
in 1700. It is located near Yuksum on a hill top. One
has to travel by foot to reach it.
KHECHOPARI MONASTEREY - This monastery is located just above the famous near
Yukusm.
MELLI MONASTERY - Melli basically means 'a lepcha village'. This
monastery is also located near Yuksum.
SINON MONASTERY - Sinon means 'the suppressor of intense fear'. The
monastery was built in 1716 and is located about 10
kms. from Tashiding on a hill top.
DALLING MONASTERY - Dalling means 'the thunderbolt'. This monastery was
built in 1840 and is situated near kwezing in .
YANGYANG MONASTERY - Yangyang means 'the ridge of fortune'. This monastery
was built in 1840 and is situated at a place called
Yangyang 10 kms. downhill from Rabongla.
NAMCHI MONASTERY - This monastery is located in Namchi, the district
headquarters of south district and was constructed
during the reign of Chogyal Gurmed Namgyal.
KWEZING MONASTERY - This monastery is located near Kwezing in South Sikkim.
It was built during the reign of Chogyal Thutob
Namgyal.
SIMIK MONASTERY -
This monastery is situated in near Singtam town. It
was built during the reign of Chogyal Tsudphud Namgyal.
HEE GYATHANG MONASTERY - This monastery is located in and follows the Nyingma
sect of Buddhism.
LINGTEM MONASTERY - This monastery is located in the Zongu area of North
Sikkim.
CHAWANG ANI MONASTERY - This monastery is located near Phensang which is on
the highway between Gangtok amd Mangan. It was built
during the reign of Chogyal Tshudphud Namgyal .
RHENOCK MONASTERY - This monastery is located in bout 63 kms. from Gangtok.
KHATOK MONASTERY - This monastery is located in East Sikkim near Pakyong.
The present structure of the monastery was built
during the reign of Chogyal Thutob Namgyal.
BERMOIK MONASTERY - This monastery was constructed in 1952 and follows the
Nyingma sect of Buddhism. It is situated in South
Sikkim above Singtam.
LACHEN MONASTERY - This monastery in North Sikkim was built in 1806 and
follows the Nyingma sec of Buddhism.
LACHUNG MONASTERY - This monastery in North Sikkim was built in Sikkim
1880 and also follows the Nyingma sect of Buddhism.
SANG MONASTERY - This monastery is situated near Rumtek and was built
in 1912.
RALONG MONASTERY - This monastery is situated near Rabongla in South
Sikkim.
Flora and Fauna
Because of the altitude that vary right from sea level
to summits that touch the skies ,the flora and fauna
naturally covers a wide spectrum. Nowhere in the world
in such a small area can one find flora and fauna of
all varieties - Tropical to the Alpines. Sikkim's
botanical and zoological richness is awe- inspiring,
boasting of more than 4000 species of plants and 30%
of all the birds found in the Indian sub-continent .
No wonder Sikkim has been a dream of naturalists. Dr.
J. Hooker during the middle of the last century
surveyed in the detail the botanical wealth in Sikkim
and his findings were embodied in the publication
'Himalayan Journal' that is still considered as an
authoritative document. Dr. Salim Ali an ornithologist
has given a detailed account on birds in his book 'The
birds of Sikkim'. Besides these there are many books
available on the flora & fauna of sikkim.
Plants:
The lowlands in the south, 800'to 5000', experience a
tropical climate; lush vegetation such as figs,
laurel, Sal trees and bamboos have been cleared in
some areas for farming. The temperate forest of oak,
chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia and silver fir
dominates between 5000; and 13000. Above 13000, is the
alpine zone where juniper, cypresses and rhododendrons
grow. The perpetual snowline lies at 16000'. Luxuriant
forests cover 36% of the land, more than 4000 species
of plant have been recorded in Sikkim. Over 600
species of orchids grow in Sikkim, Epiphytal and
terresterial types, in the tropical and temperate
zones. 35 species of rhododendrons grow in temperate
and alpine regions, their flowering from May to August
colours hillsides.
Animals:
Amongst the mammals of Sikkim are the rare Snow
Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red panda, Musk Deer
and Blue Sheep.
Birdlife is abundant with Giant Lammergeier, Vultures,
Eagles, Whistling Thursh, Minivets, Bulbuls and
Pheasants among the 550 species to be seen in Sikkim.
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