“Small But Beautiful ”
Located in the Shivalik Hills and at an altitude of 1437 m. Gangtok is the capital and the largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim and is also known as the land of monasteries, as it has got maximum number of monasteries in the whole world. It is a significant Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre and Buddhist people visit this place every year. Gangtok is situated in the eastern Himalayan range, nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya Mountain and having mild temperate climate year-round, Gangtok is the most important centre of the tourism industry of Sikkim.
The tourists here can have complete enjoyment in terms of adventure, climate, religious tours and unparalleled natural beauty. Gangtok is a cosmopolitan city offering all possible amenities to the travelers here. Cyber cafes, pool parlours, night clubs and Shopping complexes are available in good number for those who love the night life. MG Marg, the main street of Gangtok is a great place to chill out throughout the day, it’s the country’s first litter and spit free zone, no vehicular traffic is allowed into the marg. This place is also the venue for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture festival held in December every year when Sikkim’s multi-cultural cuisine, along with music and dance performances is exhibited.
For a complete view of Gangtok and all its surrounding, you can go to Ganest Tok located on a ridge at a distance of seven kilometers from Gangtok, from this place you can get a view of sprawling Gangtok town, while across the hills Mt. Khang-chen-Dzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the horizon. The view from Ganest Tok is truthfully incredible with snow peaks providing the wonderful background for a panoramic view of Gangtok town.
You can also visit the Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology, it is the most prestigious research institute of its kind in the whole world, it is a treasure of vast collection of rare Tibetan, Lepcha and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare Thankas (colorful tapestries used in Buddhist liturgy). Except for an attractive museum, it has over two hundred Buddhist icons and other prized objects of art and also a renowned centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion in the world.