Top 10 Places to Visit in Sikkim

Sikkim is a state located in the northeastern part of India. Though it is a small state, the region is filled with plenty of beauty places and scenic views
that attract a large number of domestic as well as international tourists all around the year. Here is a list of top ten must visit destinations in Sikkim.

Gangtok- Gangtok is the capital city of the state and also the largest town of the region. The place is regarded as one of the popular tourist destinations in the state, which receives a large number of crowds. Gangtok is filled with several Buddhist monasteries, stupas, parks and charming gardens. Some of the popular attractions of this place are Tashiding Monastery, Nathu La Pass, Rumtek Monastery, MG Marg etc.

Pelling- Pelling is a scenic town in West Sikkim, which is located at a distance of about 10 km from the
district headquarters of Geyzing. There are plenty of tourist attractions to be visited in and around the Pelling town, such as the rock garden, waterfall near Rimbi, Khechuperi Lake, Kanchenjunga falls etc. The Pemayangtse Monastery found at this place is regarded as one of the most ancient monasteries in Sikkim. One of the less visited yet a scenic spot to be visited at this place is the Sangay waterfall, which is located at a distance of about 10 km.

Lachung- Lachung is a small town located close to the border of China, in north Sikkim. Placed at a height of about 3,000 m above sea level, the town is situated at the meeting point of Lachen and Lachung Rivers, the tributaries of Teesta River. One of the chief attractions of this place is the Lachung monastery, which is located at a distance of about 25 km from the main town. Structured in 1880, the monastery is regarded as one of the oldest monasteries in the state. Another popular attraction of this place is a trek to the Katao Mount, which is located at a distance of about 30 km from the town.

Ravangla- It is a small town in south Sikkim district, which is placed at a height of about 7,000 ft. It is one of the most beautiful locations in the state, nestled amidst the Maenam Hill and Tendong Hill. Tourists can enjoy the fascinating views of snow covered mountains along with the peaks like Mount Pandim, Mount Kabru, Mount Kanchenjunga and Mount Sinialchu. Ravangla is also popular for adventure activities like trekking and hiking.

Namchi- It is the capital of south Sikkim district, which is situated a height of about 1,315 m above sea level. The name is derived from the local words, ‘Nam’ and ‘Chi’, which means ‘sky’ and ‘high’ respectively. The major attraction of this place is the annual flower festival, which is celebrated on the month of February at this place. Besides this, the place also holds the Namchi Mahaotsav in October, which includes tourism, cultural programs and food festival. The place is also a popular pilgrimage centre of the state. Some of the significant tourist attractions of this place are the Tendong Hill, Namchi Monastery and Ralong Maonastery.

Zuluk- Placed at a height of about 10,000 ft above sea level, Zuluk is a village located in the eastern part of the state. It is one of the less explored destinations of Sikkim, which has gained importance because of the Old Silk Route and its closeness to the Indo-China border. Some of the popular tourist attractions of this place are the Tsomogo Lake, Sunrise Point and is also regarded as a scenic picnic spot. Other attractions of this place are the Adi Baba Mandir and the Nag temple. Besides this, one can also find a variety of rhododendrons at this place.  

Yumthang Valley- The valley is a grazing pasture, located in the north Sikkim district of the state. It is located at a distance of about 150 km from Gangtok and is surrounded by Himalayas from all sides. The chief highlight of this place is the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, which houses around 24 species of rhododendron. Another chief attraction of the place is Chunthang, which is a country side. Tourists can also visit Lachung and Kangchendzonga National Park from here as they are located nearby. Trekking can also be enjoyed at this place.

Lachen- It is a hill station, located in the northern part of the state, close to the Indo-Tibetan border. The place is mostly inhabited by Bhutia and Tibetan tribes. The special feature of this hill station is that it a perfect place for retreat, as it is not so crowded by tourists.

Nathula- It is a mountain pass in the Himalayan peaks that connects Sikkim and China. It is one of the top tourist destinations not only in Sikkim but also in India. Placed at an altitude of about 14,000 ft, it is one of the popular trekking destinations of the state. The pass is located at a distance of about 54 km from Gangtok and 430 km from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The place cannot be reached during the winter season, as the passage is blocked with heavy snowfall. While travelling from Gangtok to Nathula, you will come across several scenic waterfalls. From the Nathula Pass, one can also view the snow peaks. Another popular attraction of this place close to the Chinese side is the Baba Harbhajan Singh site. Changu Lake is also located close to this place.


Aritar- It is a small town located in the east Sikkim. The place is regarded as one of the most scenic destinations in Sikkim as it is featured with dense woods, lakes, green vegetation and rivers. Aritar Lake and Lampokhari Lake found at this place are the prominent picnic spots, where tourists can also enjoy boating. Aritar is also known for Lampokhari Tourism Festival, which initiates from the last week of March and lasts till the early April. The festival attracts a large number of tourists from near as well as far destinations. The festival includes a flower show, traditional cultural show and a food corner, where you can taste some delicious cuisines. 

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