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If you are pondering about visiting Gangtok in Sikkim for your holidays, then just don’t keep your ideas hanging in between fancying that thought and making it come true. There are many places on earth that can keep you bombed for a long time with their spectacular views, and Gangtok in Sikkim is one such place that sits pretty in the lap of the Himalayas and offers surreal sceneries that none can refuse. You should not even be thinking very hard about whether to spend your vacations in Gangtok or not. All you have got to do is get a ticket to this wonderland and take the opportunity to connect with Mother Nature here.
Gangtok is a small town, the capital of beautiful Sikkim, which is known for its beauty and wonderful weather. Gangtok is untouched by the hassles of hectic city life, very big industries and factories and MNC,s and all the annoyance of really populated and polluted places. You can get as close to nature here as you want. Visiting Gangtok in Sikkim should be a must for any traveler, blogger, or anybody trying to connect their mind to tranquility and happiness. Gangtok is such a great place to bring your family and friends.
Video: A night in Gangtok
Gangtok at night
Even when the town is very far away from the influences of big city life, there is a gentle presence of it in Gangtok. From modern shops to hospitals, everything can be found very easily. Though small, the roads are good, and a great transportation system is available. The trip to Gangtok will most definitely be comforting as well as enjoyable. I bet once you visit this place and go back to your regular lifestyle you will definitely miss it and grab another ticket to Gangtok for your next holiday.
Gangtok means hilltop, which is fitting because that’s exactly where the town is located at. This capital city of Sikkim is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. This Northeast paradise is sure to captivate all of your senses.
Gangtok is surrounded by the big River - Teesta, beautiful hills and mountains, forests, and a brilliant sky. Tourism is a huge thing in Gangtok, and you will love the locals here. They are really welcoming and treat their guests with extreme thoughtfulness. As said before, if you are looking for a tourist destination that’s known for variety then Gangtok is where you must be.
With so much to do in there, the place won’t disappoint you. With the view of the majestic Khangchendzonga and the mountains surrounding it, the place offers comfort to your eyes and your mind. The traditional society, influenced by an old and colorful culture, adds to the magnificent charm of Gangtok. This is one of the reasons why travelers from all over the country and abroad visit this travel destination in huge numbers every year.
Gangtok is famous not just for sceneries. There is a wide range of things to do in Gangtok. From chilling at gorgeous hilltops and sitting by the serene and gushing waterfalls sipping coffee to meditating inside the holy monasteries, there are ample things to enjoy during your trip to Gangtok that will catch your fancy instantaneously, and you will enjoy everything immensely.
Video: Gangtok Echoes
Here I am listing some of the best things to do in Gangtok when you visit here.
Top 20 things to do in Gangtok:
1. MG Marg
MG Marg is one of the most happening places in Gangtok. It is considered as the center attraction of the town. It is located in the heart of Gangtok. MG Marg is a great place to try the local food of Sikkim, shop for souvenirs, or simply take a stroll.
MG Marg at night in Gangtok - Sikkim
2. Cable ride – Witness Gangtok at a glance from above
This is a kilometer of thrill where passengers are carried on double cable cars that start from Deorali and end at Tashiling. It is the perfect way to get a bird’s eye view of Gangtok. You can see the wonderful view of the city below.
View of the town from the cable car in Deorali - Gangtok Sikkim
It is one of the most famous things to do in Gangtok and one of the top-rated among Gangtok tourist attractions.
3. Paragliding – Be on top of the world, fly
One of the most thrilling things to do in Gangtok is flying. No, we were certainly not born with wings but deep down we had always wanted to fly. Now we can do it in Gangtok. Paragliding is one of the must things to do in Gangtok.
Imagine that you have wings and you are flying over an amazing landscape of snow-covered mountains and hills, rivers, meadows, and forests. That’s exactly how it feels like when you are paragliding in Gangtok.
4. River rafting – Touch and feel the waters of Gangtok
River rafting is one of the many adventurous things to do in Gangtok in River Teesta. This river is not only famous in Gangtok but the entire state of Sikkim. There are many points in the river you can choose from to raft.
River rafting in Teesta -Sikkim
5. Camping – Try spending a night or two under a thousand stars:
There are so many camping sites in Sikkim and also at Gangtok. You can spend a night or two with your friends and family at Rumtek camping site. It should definitely be included in your list of one of the things to do in Gangtok.
Camping in Sikkim
6. Tashi View Point – Enjoy the sunrise
View the magnificent Mount Khangchendzonga from Tashi View Point where this beautiful mountain range can be seen from up close. From here you can enjoy the stunning snow-capped mountains. Capturing such an amazing view of Khangchendzonga during sunrise has to be one of the highlights among the things to do in Gangtok.
Khangchendzonga mountain range
7. Visit monasteries – Find that tranquility you were searching for
There are so many monasteries in Sikkim and some of them are in Gangtok. While in Gangtok, you should visit one of the largest monasteries in this region- Rumtek Monastery. This must also come in your list of one of the things to do in Gangtok.
Monastery in Sikkim
8. Discover Lal Bazar – Do a little shopping/buy souvenirs
Lal Bazar is a local shopping complex in Gangtok where you can get a wide variety of products to choose from falling in different categories. The locals come here for bargain shopping and all around you can see farmers and vendors busy selling their wares. You can explore this place and buy souvenirs to take with you. This is an enjoyable experience among other things to do in Gangtok.
9. Try street/local food and let your taste buds enjoy something new
While at Lal Bazar Gangtok, try some quick bites and the famous “alu-cheura” on the first floor of Lal Bazar Kanchenjunga Shopping Complex. Also, try the local food in many small fast food joints and enjoy dishes like thukpa, momos, momo chilly, momo fries, sel-roti, faley, etc. Of course, trying local food is one of the most mandatory things to do in Gangtok.
10. Visit Changu/Tsomgo Lake
Tsomgo Lake is one of the most famous places to visit while in Sikkim. It is 36.9km away from Gangtok and you must not miss your chance to visit this place and get a chance to admire the beauty of nature and the lake. Visiting Tsomgo Lake in Gangtok is mostly recommended in winter when there is snowfall and the lake freezes. But that is not mandatory. You can visit this lake in other seasons also but there won’t be snow at that time.
Playing with snow and taking lovely pictures in this picturesque location is among the most anticipated things to do in Gangtok.
11. Enjoy yak safari
While visiting Tsomgo Lake, fulfill the checklist including yak safari from your things to do in Gangtok.
Tourists enjoying yak safari at Tsomgo Lake in Sikkim
12. Helicopter ride in Sikkim
A helicopter ride in Gangtok, Sikkim, is an opportunity to get an aerial view of the Himalayan ranges and is among the top things to do in Gangtok. Lucky you! You can feast your eyes on the grandeur of this place from high above.
13. Go trekking
Tinjurey peak has recently been opened up for trekking. The trek is very close to Gangtok. You can indulge in an adventurous trip any time of the year. This is one of the adventurous things to do in Gangtok.
Video: Hike to Teenjurey Top
14. Visit the Himalayan Zoological Park
Located in Bulbuley, Himalayan Zoological Park is at a distance of 3 km from Gangtok. At an altitude of 1,780 meters, the Zoological Park also renders a splendid view of Mt. Khangchendzonga. See the beautiful animals and enjoy the chill weather. It is also one of the things to do in Gangtok.
15. Visit Ganesh Tok
Not very far from the Himalayan Zoological Park is a Ganesh temple famously known as Ganesh Tok. This is one of the things to do in Gangtok if you are a Ganesh devotee.
Ganesh Tok in Sikkim
16. Visit Hanuman Tok
You can find a Hanuman Mandir near Ganesh Tok, which is locally known as Hanuman Tok. Do visit and get your blessings.
17. Waterfalls:
Are you a fan of gushing clean waterfalls? Gangtok and its surroundings have a number of waterfalls that are worth visiting.
• Bakthang Waterfalls: This waterfall is just 3 km from Gangtok and is a famous tourist spot. You should visit this place while in Gangtok.
• Banjhakri Falls: It is a 100-ft waterfall, 7 km from Gangtok. It is also a very famous tourist spot with a history associated with jungle priests.
18. Read books while drinking coffee
If you like reading books while sipping coffee, then you should know that there are many places in Gangtok where you can read books and enjoy your food as well. One such place is Rachna Books at Development Area in Gangtok. You can add this to the things to do in Gangtok.
19. Try wearing the cultural dress
Like the whole nation, Sikkim also has people, languages, and cultures of many types. When you are at Gangtok, you can discover the rich culture and tradition of Sikkim. Most of the tourist spots have people offering you cultural dresses at a cheap price to put on and click pictures. You should definitely it.
20. Visit White Hall and see the flower exhibition
White Hall is one of the rare, if not the only colonial building in Gangtok, Sikkim. It is a government building at the moment and is not open to tourists. This structure has typical British architecture and was built in 1932. It is called White Hall because it was built in memory of the first political officer of Sikkim, Claude White.
Do see this old historical building and also opposite to this building is a flower exhibition, which is open throughout the year. You can find many flowers unique to Sikkim including the regions’ famous orchids. You should definitely visit this place in Gangtok.
Flower Exhibition Show in Gangtok - Sikkim
There are so many things you can do in Gangtok and these are just a few of them. One more thing that you can do in Gangtok is make plans of visiting the rest of Sikkim.
There is much more to experience, explore, and do in Gangtok. Through the years, Gangtok has established itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations offering a perfect vacation to all. The city is wrapped with nature’s wonders and is characterized by a laid back culture. If you wish to enjoy a wholesome vacation with wonderful sights and thrills then head to Gangtok.
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