Gangtok – My Dream Destination

What attracts me to Gangtok are its thick temperate and deciduous forests of poplar, birch, oak, and elm and evergreen, coniferous trees which are found in abundant around Gangtok. Another great attraction is the orchids of Sikkim. The state is known to be a habitat for more than 6000 species of Orchids and among them some are extremely rare orchids.

I want to breathe and relish the pure air and silence of wilderness, as I get back in touch with my soul which has lost connection with me due to the roller coaster ride I go through in my life every day. I yearn to stroll along aimlessly on the tastefully lit and decorated M.G Marg (street) which looks as though it has no traffic at all; making it an ideal place to spend the evenings in the town. The city has more to offer me as it is full of gompas, stupas, parks and gardens. Here are some of the important places to look around:

Monastries and Temples – Monasteries like Rumtek , Pemayangtse, Tashiding and Enchey Monastery which was established in 1909 and finds itself perched above Gangtok. The temple of Hanuman Tok, a wonderful temple dedicated to Hindu deity, Hanuman. The height of this point is roughly 7,200 ft. from where one can get wonderful view of Gangtok and the nearby hills.

Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass and the Himalayan Zoological Park – Tsomgo Lake is situated 35 km from Gangtok on the Gangtok/Nathula highway, it’s cool and placid water complements the picturesque beauty around, which is increased by the reflections in the lake. Nathula Pass is located at an altitude of 14,450 feet and distance of 56 km from Gangtok. The route to Tibet has been opened once again in 2006. The Himalayan Zoological Park has an interesting array of wildlife. Also, I would love to enjoy the stunning view of Mount Kanchenjunga from here.

Ipecad Garden, Tseten Tashi Cave and Sikkim attractions – Visit the Ipecac Garden for orchids and medicinal plants and to enjoy swimming in the pool nearby. Find in the Tseten Tashi Cave a natural 3 tiered cave of about 20 ft. in height. As to Sikkim it has 3 big attractions, the Jawaharlal Botanical Gardens, the Kanchenjunga National Park and the Zemu Glacier are something one can’t afford to miss.