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Gangtok is a compact mountain capital where the main things to do split between Buddhist monasteries, a high-altitude lake and border pass, and a string of viewpoints that face the Kanchenjunga range. Most sights sit within a 30-minute taxi ride of MG Marg, except Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La, which need a full day and a permit. The neighborhoods guide will help you orient around town once you arrive.
Things to Do in Gangtok: Monasteries and Buddhist Heritage
Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre)
Rumtek is the seat of the Karmapa, head of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, and the largest monastery in Sikkim. It sits 24 km (15 miles) from Gangtok on a hill above the Ranipul valley, with a golden stupa and a 16th-century feel despite being built in 1966. The main hall is open to visitors from about 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, entry is free, and photography is restricted inside the shrine. Take a shared jeep from the Deorali stand (about Rs 50) and allow two hours including the drive.
Enchey Monastery
Enchey is a 200-year-old Nyingma monastery 3 km from the center, reachable on foot or by a short taxi ride. Its name means solitary temple, and it sits on a ridge above Gangtok with a view back over the town. The monastery opens around 6:00 am and closes at 4:00 pm, and the annual cham (masked dance) takes place here in January and February. Entry is free, though a small donation is customary.
Do-drul Chorten
Do-drul Chorten is a white-domed stupa built in 1945 on a hill near the Namgyal Institute, surrounded by 108 prayer wheels that visitors spin clockwise as they circle it. It is open from sunrise to sunset and free to enter. The stupa holds relics and is one of the easiest stops to reach from the center, about 2 km south of MG Marg.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology houses one of the best collections of Tibetan manuscripts, thangkas, and statues outside Tibet, including a 400-year-old Mahakala statue. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed on government holidays, with entry around Rs 50 for adults and Rs 20 for children. Photography is not allowed inside the museum, and the shop sells books on Himalayan Buddhism.
Things to Do in Gangtok: Lakes, Passes and Mountain Views
Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake)
Tsomgo Lake is a glacial lake at 3,753 meters (12,313 ft), about 40 km (25 miles) east of Gangtok on the way to Nathu La. The lake freezes in winter and reflects the surrounding peaks in summer, and yak rides are available on the shore for about Rs 150 to 300. You need an Inner Line Permit arranged through a registered travel agent, and the road closes in heavy snow or rain. Allow a full day, and check the permit section of our travel tips before you set out.
Nathu La Pass
Nathu La is a 4,310-meter (14,140 ft) mountain pass on the India-China border, 54 km (34 miles) from Gangtok. It was part of the historic Silk Route and now opens to Indian tourists on set days (typically Wednesday to Sunday, weather permitting) with a permit and a guide. The drive climbs past Tsomgo Lake and gives a view of the Chinese side of the border. Dress warmly even in summer, as temperatures at the pass stay near freezing, and see the best time to visit guide for the months when the pass is reliably open.
Tashi Viewpoint
Tashi Viewpoint is 8 km from the center and offers the classic panorama of the Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu peaks on clear mornings. A viewing tower and tea stalls make it a comfortable 30-minute stop. The best visibility is from October to December and March to April, before the afternoon clouds build, so go early.
Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok
Ganesh Tok is a small temple on a hill 7 km from town with a narrow viewing platform that holds only a few people but faces the whole town. Hanuman Tok is 11 km out at 2,194 meters (7,200 ft), run by the Indian Army, with a bright red temple and wide mountain views. Both are free, open roughly 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, and pair well with a single taxi loop that also covers Tashi Viewpoint.
Things to Do in Gangtok: Parks, Falls and Gardens
Banjhakri Falls and Energy Park
Banjhakri Falls is a 30-meter waterfall 7 km from the center, set inside a themed park built around Sikkimese shaman culture, with sculptures, a small lake, and walkways. Entry is about Rs 50 for adults, and it is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The falls run at their strongest during and just after the monsoon, from July to October, when the monthly rainfall tops 500 mm.
Himalayan Zoological Park
The Himalayan Zoological Park, 8 km from town at Bulbuley, houses red pandas, snow leopards, and Himalayan black bears in large forested enclosures. It is open daily except Thursday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with entry around Rs 20 to 50. The red panda is Sikkim’s state animal, and the park runs one of the country’s better captive breeding programs.
Flower Exhibition Centre and Saramsa Garden
The Flower Exhibition Centre near White Hall showcases orchids and seasonal flowers, and it is the main venue of the spring International Flower Festival. Saramsa Garden, 14 km from town, is an orchid garden and picnic ground run by the forest department. Both are best from March to May when the blooms peak, and the events calendar lists the exact festival dates.
Things to Do in Gangtok: MG Marg and the Cable Car
MG Marg
MG Marg is Gangtok’s pedestrian-only main street, lined with cafes, souvenir shops, and benches, and it is where the town gathers in the evening. No vehicles are allowed, so it is a flat, easy walk of about 1 km. Most restaurants, the Tourist Information Centre, and the main taxi stands branch off it, making it the natural start and end point for any day in town.
Gangtok Ropeway (Cable Car)
The Gangtok Ropeway runs 3 stations between Deorali, Namnang, and Tashiling, lifting riders over the town for a view across the valley. A round trip costs about Rs 70 to 100 per person and takes 20 minutes. It is a good way to get a quick orientation of the city’s layout before you visit the different lodging areas on foot.
