Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim is located on a ridge at a height of 5500 feet in the North Eastern part of India in the lower Himalayas. With a spectacular view of the Mt.Khangchendzonga, the town provides the perfect base for travel through the state. Once an important transit point for traders travelling between Tibet and India, it is today a busy administrative and business centre and presents an interesting mix of cultures and communities.

Gangtok is a cosmopolitan town which offers the tourist all possible amenities. Hotels are available in a range of prices along with a variety of eateries serving cuisine for all tastes. Shopping complexes, cyber cafes, night clubs and pool parlours and the great added literary of Casinos find tourists wishing for more time to experience all of the attractions.

MG Marg, the main street of Gangtok town is a great place to chill out. The country’s first litter, spit and smoke free zone, no vehicular traffic is allowed into the area. You can sit at the Titanic Park or at the various benches stretched across the mall and take in the carnival like atmosphere. The Mall is lined with shops on both sides of the road so shopping becomes an added pleasure.
MG Marg is also the venue for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture festival held in December each year when Sikkim’s multi-cultural cuisines, along with music and dance performances are showcased. This event attracts a large number of locals and tourists each year.

For a bird’s eye view of Gangtok take a ride on the bi-cable ropeway. The one kilometre ride from Deorali to Tashiling Secretariat is completed in 7 minutes. Each cabin has the capacity to ferry 25 people at a time. The ropeway has been fitted with fully computerized modern safety mechanism of international standards. On clear weather the ride offers a great view of the Khangchendzonga range apart from an overview of Gangtok town and the valley below. After you get off at Tashiling Secretariat you can walk to the Ridge Park and soak in the beautiful surroundings as well as visit the ongoing Flower Festival held just below the park. For a view of Gangtok and all its surrounding, one can got to Ganesh Tok situated on a ridge at a distance of 7 kms from Gangtok. From this Spot one can get a view of sprawling Gangtok town, while across the hills Mt. Khang-chen-Dzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the horizon. A cafeteria serves hot tea, coffee and snacks. The view from here is truly breathtaking with snow peaks providing the perfect backdrop for a panoramic view of Gangtok town. Hanuman Tok, a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is situated at an altitude of 7200 feet at a distance of about nine kilometres uphill from Gangtok on a blissfully calm and quiet hilltop. The location is completely free from the pollution of city life. Apart from the clear view of the peaks surrounding Mount Khangchendzonga, some portions of Gangtok town.
Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology is the most prestigious research institute of its kind in the world, NIT is a treasure of vast collection of rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas (colourful tapestries used in Buddhist liturgy). Apart from an attractive museum, it has over 200 Buddhist icons and other prized objects of art. As far as its collections are concerned, it is only next to an institute in Tibet. Today it is renowned world wide centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion. The institute was established in 1958 to promote serious study and research on Buddhism.
Fast Facts

There are many other places of tourist interest in and around the city of Gangtok. Important among them include the Enchey Monastery, Permanent flower show in the white hall close to the white memorial hall, Do-Drul Chorten stupa, Handloom and Handicrafts centre, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Saramsa Garden, Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden, Tashi View Point, Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre and the Ganesh Tok. Othhers include the Pemayangtse Monastery, Sanga-Choling Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, Tashiding Monastery, Phodong Monastery, Phensang Monastery, Singhik – the place which offers the closest and most spectacular view of Kanchanjunga, Chungthang, Lachung, Yumthang, Guru-Dongmar Lake, Temi Tea Garden and the Menam Hill.
Gangtok has a well developed transportation network. The city is well accessible by road from the airport and the railway station or by Air (by Helicopter). The nearest airport is at Bagdogra near Siliguri. This airport is connected with Airport at Kolkata (Calcutta), New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai etc by regular flight services. From the airport one can hire private cars / fly by helicopter to reach Gangtok. The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri which is connected by regular train services from all over India.
The better travel news is that within the next couple of years Sikkim will have its own airport at Pakyong (about 40Kms off Gangtok) and Rail Head at Rongpo (about 45Kms Off Gangtok)

www.royalsikkim.com is an international travel site and a repository of useful information about Gangtok and on other related information about the city and the State of Sikkim.