Top Beautiful Tourist Places in Sikkim

Introduction:

Sikkim is a comparatively smaller state in north-eastern India. The third-highest Kanchenjunga Mountain is a part of the eastern Himalayan range and is located on the border of Sikkim and Nepal. As per the reported data in 2021, the number of visitors in Sikkim Hill State is growing. Most of the local people in Sikkim follow Buddhism. Every year, many people who are nature lovers and travel lovers visit Sikkim from different religions and countries or states.

In Sikkim state, there are mainly four district zones which are based on North, South, East, and West direction basis. This Hill state is totally situated on the Himalayan hill range. Population density is very low in this state. Nice views of Sikkim mainly attract the nature lovers, adventure lovers or trekkers, and travelers. Not all tourist spots in Sikkim are open for travellers throughout the year. Nowadays, Sikkim is gradually becoming as the destination of tour operators due to the presence of beautiful tourist places. The top popular tourist spots in Sikkim have been described below in details.  

District of East Sikkim

1. Gangtok

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is mainly for the Sikkim government’s tourism sector. Travellers usually shop or purchase Sikkimese products such as garments from Gangtok’s marketplace. Hill city Gangtok is basically popular due to the amazing viewpoint of Kanchenjunga Mountain. The best season for visiting Gangtok is autumn, springtime, and summer. The rent of a hotel may be more or less expensive than in other states depending on peak season. Snowfall usually is not found in Gangtok city. The visitors can get a flavour of available foods such as Momo, Noodles, Chinese cuisine, crispy samosa or Sikkimese patties, and continental and traditional Indian dishes from restaurants or local food stalls.     

2. Tsomgo Lake

Tsomgo Lake also called Changgu Lake is formed by glaciers. Sikkimese people revere this sacred Changgu Lake. Tourists usually come here during the summertime when colourful wildflowers bloom and the snow begins to melt. During the winter season like the first month of the year, the lake is totally covered by snow.    

3. Nathang Valley

Wanderlusts can stay overnight at the “Eagle’s Nest Bunker“, near the Nathang Valley, for breathtaking views of the valley and to experience the historic Silk Route of East Sikkim. Generally, the average temperature in Nathang Valley is around 7.7°C. During the cold season, the Silk Route is completely closed from December to March due to heavy snowfall and temperatures below minus degrees Celsius.

4. Zuluk

Zuluk is one of the first villages on the Silk Route. Its zigzag road is the main attraction for tourists. There are home stay options for travelers. Among the snowy regions, favourable months for visitors to Zuluk start from end of March to May and September to November. The distance between Zuluk and Gangtok is about 90 km with “New Jalpaiguri Station” being the nearest rail station.

5. Nathula Pass

Nathula Pass is a connecting region between China and India. The Nathula border pass has identified two primary roles, one as a Trading border site and another as a Pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. Indian citizens only can visit Nathula from end of March to May and from September to November. April is the month of joy for Nathula landscape visitors. Travellers cannot even drive their own cars in this Nathula region where only authorized “Sports Utility Vehicles” (SUVs) only can be driven in the Nathula area. Physically weak people may experience shortness of breath due to high altitude. The average temperature in summer is 10 degrees Celsius. Every week, the closing days of Nathula Pass for visitors are Monday and Tuesday.         

District of West Sikkim

6. Pelling

Pelling is one of the nice and offbeat places. The city of Pelling is slowly growing as the second tourist destination after Gangtok in the state of Sikkim. Hence, nature lovers can experience the view of Kanchenjunga and its floral biodiversity. The main attraction of Pelling town is Sing-shore Bridge, Kanchenjunga waterfalls, Rimbi River, Orange Garden, Glass Bridge, Khecheopalri Lake, Monastery, and others. Pelling hill town is a small town with a very small local population.

Visitors can never see the snowfalls in Pelling. People also can visit here at any time of the year but the peak season usually starts from September – December and middle Feb – May. Most of the tourists do not travel here during the rainy season. In Pelling, there are presence of various kinds of orchids, wild flowers, rare floral species, wild squash, and other plant species. Some people visit in this hill town during monsoon to get the pleasure of waterfalls. The Hotel rents are comparatively higher during the peak season than off seasons.

7. Yuksom

Recognized Yuksom village is popular to the trekkers as trekking routes and its Himalayan landscape and floral biodiversity. Usually, Goechala trekkers visit this village to reach their destination. Population density numbers are very low. In this Yuksom mountainous region, there are presence of a variety of communities such as Bhutia, whereas historical monuments and ancient Buddhist Monasteries are visible. Trekkers or tourists may not experience snowfall but they may be able to see snow-capped mountains. People or trekkers can also get all major types of mobile network connections in the Yuksom area. . Best time for trekkers and other visitors to Yuksom place is April to May and October to November.       

District of North Sikkim

8. Yumthang Valley

Yumthang Valley of Flowering Valley mainly attracts nature lovers due to its colourful flowers. During the blooming season, this adorned valley looks like a rainbow valley with above 24 species of flowers where visitors can visit “Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary”. Heavy snowfall occurs during the winter season. The best period for travellers to Yumthang Valley is mid-March to May and September to the end of November. Tourists cannot stay here as there are no resorts and hotels.    

9. Gurudongmar Lake

Most of the people prefers to visit in the high altitude-based Gurudongmar Lake that is one of the most beautiful and highest lakes in India and around the world. Various religions such as Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs revere this holy lake. It is an unique tourist place in Sikkim. The water colour of this lake usually changes depending on the weather. For example, in winter, the water bodies turn white and crystalline. On the other hand, the water colour of Gurudongmar looks like green or blue colour in pleasant weather and clear sky.

Sikkim Government do not allow the tourists or other people to bathe in this lake. The suitable time period for travellers to visit this highest Hill Lake is mid-March to May and September to November. People need to remember that the level of oxygen is very low here. The distance between Gurudongmar and Gangtok is approximately 190 km. Some adventure lovers go to the lake from Gangtok through the bike riding.            

District of South Sikkim     

10. Namchi

Many people visit the Southern part of Sikkim due to the attraction of the Monastery in Namchi and other Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Transformation of Namchi town rapidly turns into tourist spots as pilgrimage centres. Some pilgrims visit the hilltop Namchi as it is a set of four pilgrimage Hindu temples as “Char-Dham”. Namchi hill town is small and pretty. No snowfall occurred generally. People can visit there anytime while the peak season starts from February to May and September to December. Moreover, travellers can purchase handcraft Sikkimese products from Namchi town. Annually, the average highest temperature is around 23.7 degrees Celsius.      

11. Ravangla

Ravangla is one of the top beautiful places in South Sikkim. It is a small and peaceful clean town. Tourists mainly come here due to the amazing view of the Himalayan Range. The monastery of Goutam Buddha is present in Ravangla town. Near the Ravangla, nature lovers may find the natural beauties in Pine Forests and can get the pleasure due to unmatched seen of snow-covered Himalayan Mountain ranges. Different major kinds of mountain peaks usually are visible during the daytime with the cloud-free sky from Ravangla. Travellers can visit anytime whereas peak seasons mainly begin from February to May and September to December. Ravangla tourist spot is free of snowfall during the cold season.

        

Kindly Note:

The travellers have to carry their identity proof documents and two hard copy passport size photos which are necessary to enter into the restricted tourist spots. Apart from this, it concerns the visitors that only the Indian Citizens can get the permission and visit near the Sikkim border zones. The people must carry their necessary and emergency medicines, food, and drinking water because outside of the town there have no available shops or marketplaces.

Tourists should follow the guidelines of the Sikkim Government during their journey whereas Sikkim Hill State is very neat and clean. For example, Sikkim Government bans to use the plastics or polythene bags in Sikkim where the travellers should not openly use and throw the plastic materials. In this context, it may suggest that travellers should carry heavy woollen clothes or garments to keep their body temperature as well as prevent the outside chill temperature. During the rainy season or monsoon, Hill regions may not be favourable for travellers to avoid landslides and other disasters.