Tsomgo Lake is one of the most stunning places to visit in East Sikkim, at a distance of mere 38 km from the main town of Gangtok. Perched at a dizzying altitude of 12,400 ft., Tsomgo Lake, locally known as Changu Lake requires navigating a winding route that cuts through rocky mountains and narrow cliffs. Check in the mesmerizing resorts in Sikkim with scenic views and great services.
This 100-foot waterfall is located in a landscaped park with forested area at about 7kms from Gangtok town and close to Ranka Monastery. There are paved pathways and footbridge around the park which spreads across some 2-acres of land area with many trees and flowering plants in it. It's a popular picnic spot. There is also a manmade lake here with a dragon at the center. You can do paddle boating at the lake.
Close to Tashi View point is Ganesh Tok, a temple of Lord Gansha. It's located at an altitude of 6,500 ft and at a hill adjacent to that of the huge TV Tower. Like Hanuman Tok, tourists come here not only to offer prayers to Ganesh, but also to soak in the views from the viewing lounge and the circular balcony around it. You will need to climb a stair case to reach to the upper levels where the temple and viewing area are located. Mid-away along the staircase you will be required to take off your shoes.
This charming little Tashi View Point is a perfect place to witness the brilliant surroundings like mountains, valleys and Gangtok itself. This famous tourist point is located at a distance of 8 km from the town and is mostly known for offering some of the best sunrise and sunset views. One can witness the changing of colours of the Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu Peaks as the sun slowly moves from this view point along with the glimpse famous monasteries of Gangtok, Phodong and Labrang.
Located at a distance of 24 kms from Gangtok, the Rumtek Monastery is a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It was built in 16th Century by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk and was renovated later on by the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. It embodies the vision and aspiration of 16th Century Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. The monastery is also known as Dharma Chakra Centre and is surrounded by green, calm and serene hills.The Sanctum Sanctorum situated inside it displays the Golden Stupa along with pictures and statues of Lord Buddha.
Tok means a temple, so it's a temple of Lord Hanuman. But it's actually far more than that and known for its wonderful serene ambience and a viewing area that offers spectacular view of Kanchenjunga range. If you ask me which point in the whole of Gangtok area offers the best views of Kanchenjunga, I won't hesitate to choose Hanuman Tok. It's located at an altitude of 7,200 ft and on a road that branches off from the Gantok-Nathula Highway. It's located at a distance of 11kms from Gangtok town.
This is a wonderful waterfall located on the North Sikkim Highway towards Tashi View Point and about 3kms from Gangtok town. While visiting Tashi View point or returning, it's worth stopping at this roadside waterfall for sometime. While the height of the fall isn't much, it's the width of the fall that makes it so beautiful. The source of the water is at Ratey Chu. The flowing water falls over a canopy of green creepers. It's a wonderful sight to take pictures.
Flower Exhibition Centre, which is situated in Gangtok, showcases flowers from the different parts of Sikkim together under a single roof which makes it a heaven for all the nature lovers. Located right across the White Memorial Hall and below the Ridge Park, it lies at a walking distance from the MG Marg. Though the flowers are displayed here all through the year, the annual flower show which is held from April to May should not be missed out on as during this time, the management gathers here and presents numerous varieties of orchids along with other flowers from around the state. Participants from the neighbouring states are invited to be a part of the annual flower contest held in the premises by the Government of Sikkim.
The Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts was established in the year 1957 with the aim of promoting and keeping alive the State's traditional art & craft, the DHH is a store house of hand - woven woolen carpets, with traditional motifs, blankets, shawls and exquisitely carved 'Choktse' or table and many other gift items. The Directorate is a unique combination of training-cum-production spread over 20 centers in Sikkim, which has a modest center at Gangtok. A Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. has been formed which will facilitate effective marketing of quality based products and make more jobs and avenues for crafts persons. Such products have a huge potentiality for exports.
This huge stupa or monument is located at a short walking distance from the Research Institute of Tibetology and on a hillock. Car will drop you at the base from where a short but steep uphill pathway leads to the stupa. The Chorten Stupa is marked by a golden top dome. This golden top can be seen from various places in Gangtok. It is believed that this entire place was once haunted by evil spirits and many people who wandered around this place became victims and died. Later a very respected and celebrated lama of Tibet Trulshig Rinpoche who followed Nyingma Order of Buddhism came to this place for hermitage. He built this stupa in 1946 to drive away the spirits.
