The capital of Sikkim , Gangtok is situated at the East District as such it is the hub of all administrative activity in Sikkim.

Institute with the aim of promoting and keeping alive the State’s traditional arts and crafts, it is a store house of handwoven woolen carpets with traditional motifs, blanket, shawls in Lepcha weaves and exquisitely carved ‘choktse’ or table and many other gift items.

Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 0930hrs to 1230hrs. and 1300hrs. to 1500 hrs.(sales emporium remains open throughout the year ):Tel No. 223126/222926

An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey Monastery is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his power of flyinf. This 200 years old monastery has in its premises images of gods,goddesses and other religious objects. Every year around January, ‘chaam’ or religious masked dance is performed.

Flower exhibitions are organized around the year at the Flower Show Venue near the White Memorial Hall Complex, Gangtok. Orchid shows held during the spring tourist season is one of the most popular shows organized in the state.

Situated in the vicinity of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, one can have very good walk from Nam –Nang View Point to Sikkim Press. The visitors can also experience the breath taking view of the dense forest and lush green valley. A serene area to relish, an ideal Nature Walk.

The Do-drul Chorten or stupa was built by the venerable Trullshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism, in 1945. Inside the stupa, there are complete mandala set to Dorjee Phurba ( Vajra Kilaya ), a set of Kang Oyur relics ( Holy Book ), complete ‘ Zung ‘ ( mantras ) and other religious objects.Around the Stupas there are 108 Sundays .

The visitors have to get the permit to visit the place by applying to the Tourism Department through a registered Travel Agency.

The most prestigious of its liking in India- this Buddhist Institute is a treasure trove of vast collection or rare Lepcha, Tibetan and Sanskrit manuscripts, statues and rare ‘Thankas’ ( tapestries used in Buddhist liturgy ) and has over 200 Buddhist icons and other prized objects of art. Today it is a world widw centre for study of Buddhist philosophy and religion.

About 14kms from Gangtok is the Saramsa garden, the home of Sikkim’s many exotic orchids and other rare tropical and temperate plants. It is an excellent recreation and picnic spot and a leisure spot.

Since late 1960s after the arrival of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, the centre houses some of the world’s most unique religious scriptures and religious rare objects.Traditional in design, it is almost at replica of the original Kagyup headquarters in Tibet.

It literally means the ‘Source of the lake ‘ in Bhutia language. Just about 40kms away from Gangtok, the capital of the state. This serene lake is situated at an altitude of 3,780mtrs.The lake is about 1km long, oval in shape,15mtrs deep ans is considered sacred by the local people. This placid lake remains frozen during the winter months upto mid may.

Built in the memory of BABA HARBAJAN SINGH, a sepoy in the 23rd Punjab Regiment, the Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir  lies between the Nathu-La and the Jelep-La Passes. Legend has it that he appeared in a dream a few days after he went missing and expressed the desire that a monument be built in his memory.his fellow-soldiers then built a monument that has over the years acquired the status of a

pilgrimage. Belivers leave a bottle of water, which they collect a few days later to take back home.

56kms away from Gangtok is a “ Nathula “ Pass at an altitude of 14,200ft.bordering between India and china in the Tibetan Plateau. It is one of the highest motorable roads and richly covered by many varieties of alpine flora and fauna. A tranquil place to visit .Nathula is open only for Indian Nationals on Wednesday ,Thursday, Saturdays and

Sundays . The visitors have to get the permit to visit the place by applying to the Tourism Department through a registered Travel Agency.

Situated at the North Sikkim highway,it is only 8 kms from Gangtok. From this point you can take a bereath taking view of Mt Khang-chen-Dzonga and Mt Siniolchu,one of the most graceful peaks in the world. Ideal time to visit is early in the morning

Gonjang Monastery near Tashi View Point was established in the year 1981.The founder of this monastery is H.E.Tingkye Gonjang Rimpoche.He was recognized as an incarnation of Yolmo Terton: Ngakchang Shakya Zangpo, a 15th century Nyingmapa Terton. The main practice of this monastery is Jangter Tradition of Nyingpa school of Tibetan Buddhism

It is situated on a ridge and is only 7kms from Gangtok. From this spot one gets bird’s eye view of sprawling Gangtok town down below while across the hills. Mt Khang-chen-Dzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the horizon. A cafeteria servers you hot tea/coffee and snacks.

It is 11 kms away from Gangtok town, above Ganesh Tok with a Hindu Temple were the devotees come and offer prayers. Because of its locational advantage the view of the mountains along the horizon is just magnificient, specially on a clear sunny morning.

8kms away from Gangtok is the Himalayan Zoological park which covers an area of 205 hectares. This area is also known as Bulbulay. One can spot the Red Pandas, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Bears in a semi natural habitat.

Water Garden, at Martam Khola, is on 31A National Highway, 16kms south of Gangtok. It is an ideal spot for picnic with a small swimming pool for children.

The Aritar Lake ( Ghati- Tso )-about 4hrs from Gangtok, is worth visiting .For those interested in spending a night or two in the peaceful environment, a trekker’s hut, a few lodges and a private resort is available at Aritar. Other attractions are visiting and exploring the way of living of the villages and also visit to monasteries like Lingsay Monastery etc. a short trek in and around Aritar is also possible.

Zurmang Kagyou Monastery which is located at Lingdum, East Sikkim is at a distance of about 20kms from Gangtok. The present Gharwang Rimpoche is the twelth successive incarnation of the glorious emanation of Zurmang Gharwang. A place worth visiting for its religious and exquisite architecture.