Located on a hill top at an altitude of 6840ft, Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries of the state. Originally established by Lhatsun Chempo, one of the revered Lamas to have performed the consecration ceremony of the first Chogyal ( Religious Monarch ) of Sikkim. The ancient monastery belongs to the Nyigma

Buddhism and has been considered as one of the premier monastries in the State.Originally it was established as a high class monastery for ‘Pure Monks’ ( Ta-Sang ). Inside the monastery there is a wooden structure depicting the Maha Gurus Heavenly palace ( Sang-tok-palri ) , which is considered as a masterpiece created by Late Dungzin Rimpoche.

This was the second capital of the ERSTWHILE kingdom of Sikkim after Yuksom and till the year 1814AD, the King of Sikkim and ruled the state from this place. Today, the ruins lie hidden from the maon road at a walking distance from the Hotel Mt Pandim and the Pemayangtse Monastery . It can be approached by following a footpath which branches

off from the main road just below the Pemayangtse Monastery. The scenic view from the top of the ruins scanning across the deep valley to the mystic heights of Khan-chen-Dzonga ranges is something to be cherished and etched in memory.

Pelling is fast growing to be an urban settlement due to tourist influx situated at an altitude of 6,8900ft.It offers a good view of the entire mountain ranges and due to this locational advantages many hotels and lodges have mushroomed in and around Pelling offering various categories of accommodation facilities. There is a bus service which links Pelling to the West District Headquarters

town to Gyalshing situated at a distance of 10kms from Pelling .

This monastery is situated on a ridge above Pelling and the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. Built in 1697A.D. it is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the State. In order to reach leads through rich forest covers.

The highest bridge in Sikkim about 25kms from Pemayangtse. About 20minutes drive is Uttarey a base camp of Adventure Tourism for Singalila Range Trail, a place worth visiting.

About an hour’s drive from Pelling is Khang-chen-Dzonga Water fall. Do not miss ti see it.

Khecheopalri Lake is considered to be one of the sacred lakes of this state both by the Buddhist and Hindus. The lake remains frozen in the rich forest cover. For those interested in spending a night or two in the peaceful environment a trekker’s hut has been provided by the Tourist department. The hut is presently managed by a local person and provides comfortable stay providing a taste of local cuisine .There is also a pilgrim’s hut, managed by the Tourism

Department, which is meant to provide accommodation to the people who come on pilgrimage tours.

This was the first capital of Sikkim. According to the historical records, the first Chogyal of the kingdom of Sikkim was consecrated in 1641 AD by the three learned Lamas.The evidence of the consecrated ceremony is still intact in Norbugang Chorten in the form of stone seats and a foot print of the Head Lama on a stone. This place is considered as a holy place by the local people.

After the consecration of the first Chogyal, this was the monastery which was first established. Surrounded by verdant forest this monastery is located on a hill top above Yuksam. It is an ideal place for the Lamas seeking meditation recluse. It can be approached by trekking only, negotiating steep slope for something like 32 to 35 minutes.

Here you can undertake a serene white water rafting programe, with the short drive to the Shiva Mandir and to Tashiding Monastery.

This monastry is constructed on top of a heart shaped hill with the back drop of the sacred Mt.Khang-chen-Dzonga. According to Buddhist scriptures, Guru Padma Sambhava (Guru Rimpoche) blessed the sacred land of Sikkim in the 8th century AD from the spot.The monastery , however , was build in the 18th century AD by Ngadak Sempa Chempo, one of the three lamas who had performed the

consercation ceremony of the first Chogyal.
Tashiding is also famous for for the most holy Chorten known as “Thong-Wa-Rang-Dol” which literally means ‘Saviours by mere sight’.It is believed that the mere act of beholding its is supposed to wash away all the sins of the devotee.Another important feature of Tashiding is the sacred water festival unique to Tashiding Monastery only. Every year, on 14th and 15th day of the first Lunar month, the Bhumchu Ceremony is celebrated with devotees coming from far and near to get the blessing of the holy water.The sacred holy water is officially sealedfor safety by the Government and the lamas of the Monastery and it is taken out once a year on the auspicious occasion , only to be put back with some fresh additions. The sacred water which is taken out partly mixed with normal water to be distributd among the thousands of devotees.

Besides Tashiding Monastery there are other attractions in and around Tashiding like Sinon Monastery.Tso-Nim-Dawa (Pokhri Danra) Hungri Monasterry and Pao-Hungri.The Paha Khola falls on the way to Kongri is worth visiting.The wild beehive on the side of the falls makes the visit more interesting.It is also a point for the trekkers visiting Kasturi Orar adjoining Khang-chen-Dzonga (Dzongri) trail.One can

also access to visit Jhang Lhari Nyingpo, one of the most sacred caves of Sikkim from Labdang.

It lies at an elevation of 10,000 ft and has motorable road access upto Hilley.An easy 4 kms trek from there takes one up to the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.One can also trek from Soreng of Dentam in West Sikkim.The place provides a magnificient view of the mountains , visitors can halt at ‘Guras Kunj’ trekkers’ hut.

Soreng is a picturesque village with beautiful landscape which is about 3 hrs drive from pelling and 4hrs drive from Melli.A trek to Jhandi Danra from Soreng is a must to see the various species of flowers and birds. Hotels and Lodges are available for accommodation. Visit to villages for an insight into the way of life is a must. A base camp for adventure tours is being set up.

Situated at an altitude of 1700metres. The drive from Gangtok to Rinchenpong takes about four hours via Zoom and it is also accessible from Siliguri and Darjeeling via Jorethang.It is about two hours drive from Pelling and an hour drive from Chakung.A picturesque village with beautiful landscape and view of mountain range and visit to Ringsum monastery makes one or two days interesting for the

visitors.One can alsotrek to Khandi Danra/Menlapso which is the richly forested area known to be home for various species of wild animals and birds . Accomodation available at Kluk. Also a night spend at an old British bungalow could be an enthralling experience of likin g the past to the present.

About one and half hours drive from Pelling is Hee Burmiok beforereaching Rinchenpong. The main attraction is mountain biking , nature and walk and visit to villages, Sri Jangha caves etc.

About an hour drive from Pelling is Dentam. It is famous for the Alpine Cheese- a product of Indo-swiss collaboration.