'''Gangtok''' is a bustling, friendly hill station, and the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The name ''Gangtok'' is derived from the Tibetan word for 'hillside,' and the city currently has a population of around 80,000 - a mixture of indigenous Sikkimese and people of Nepalese and Tibetan ancestry.

Understand

Gangtok is popular place with tourists heading on treks, though the facilities do not reflect the number of international visitors. The few craft stores sell only tacky, cheap goods, there are few restaurants of any standing. The bookshops are little more than glorified stationary stores. Still, the city is a fascinating place to spend a few nights, the winding side alleys hide some unexpected gems, and the main street (MG Marg) is pedestrianized and a pleasant place to take a stroll.

By air

Gangtok does not have an airport and the nearest one is Bagdogra (near Siliguri). It takes roughly 4 hours to drive from Bagdogra to Gangtok.

By train

The nearest train station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri which has direct connections to New Delhi, Kolkata, and other major cities in India. It is a 10-12 hour journey from Kolkata.

Once you arrive in New Jalpaiguri, you can either hire a taxi from the station itself or take an auto-rickshaw to the Siliguri bus stand. From there, you have the option of travelling to Gangtok by state bus, roughly a 5-6 hour journey.

Dozens of jeeps travel to Gangtok daily from Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and other mountain locales.

Get around

Taxis ply routes around the city, and there are standard charges within the main areas: 40rs for a private service and 8rs for a shared. NB: Taxis can only be hailed from designated taxi stands.

See

  • '''The scenery''' - there are beautiful views of the surrounding hills from the town itself, but the best views - dominated by '''Kanchenjunga''', the world's third-highest mountain - are from Enchey Monastery and Ganesh Tok, both high above the town.
  • '''Enchey Monastery''' - a two hundred year old monastery in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism - located above the town.
  • '''Do-drul Chorten''' - a large and impressive stupa complex constructed in 1945.
  • '''Dodrupchen Monastery'''. A large monastery in the Nyingma tradition. Famous for its large chorten. When in residence, Dodrupchen Rinpoche receives devotees to offer blessings from around 8AM to 9:30AM.
  • Do

  • '''Namgyal Institute of Tibetology'''. An excellent collection of artifacts and manuscripts connected to Tibetan Buddhism.
  • Buy

    Sikkim is famous for its fruit processing and tea aside from the local handicraft.Passion fruit Squash, Alpine Cheese, Temi Tea & Maha Gurudev Tea are some of the local products.

  • '''Rachna''', Development Area. Tel: ''91 3592'' 204-336 (www.rachnabooks.com). Also organises events and exhibitions on The First Floor upstairs. By far the best '''bookstore''' in town. A wide selection of titles and knowledgable owner. Rachna is located about a ten minute walk from the main bazaar.
  • '''Curio Craft Gallery Curio City''', below Hotel Mayur, PS Road (just above the main hospital). Tel: ''91 3592'' 220-551. One of the better quality handicraft stores in town. Excellent selection of Buddhist artwork.
  • Eat

    There are many great and cheap places to eat in Gangtok.

  • '''Parivar's''', on MG Marg down a short flight of stairs, serves some of the best food in town, and is very popular with locals.
  • The '''Roll House''', tucked on the side of a stairway between MG Marg and the main market, serves up Veg Momos & hot chapatis (Roll)with various fillings (paneer, egg, veggies). This place is always packed with both tourists and locals and deservedly so.
  • '''Quick Bite''', and numerous other sweet shops up and down MG Marg, serve up everything from samosas to momos
  • Tangerine Restaurant. ttp://www.thechumbiresidency.com/tangerine.htm. humbi Residency, Tibet Road, Gangtok-737101, Sikkim.. 91(0)3592-226618/226619/226620. lg_chumbi@sancharnet.in. 91(0)3592-222707. Stunning food, some unusual options and ''far'' cheaper than it ought to be.

    Drink

    '''Baker's Cafe''', MG Marg. The only place in town to sell cappuccino, latte and offer a wide selection of Western-style pastries. Check out the pizzas.
  • Pub 25. G Road, Gangtok. ill 11 pm. igh. An upscale pub right in the heart of MG Road. Great drinks, tasty food (especially the Malai Tikka and Sauted Mushrooms), and an amazing ambience. The price is higher than other pubs on the street, but its definitely worth it.

    Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Hotel Sonali International''', Phone: (033) 2552 3432 / 2584 0080 (Cell: +91 98302 87429, E-mail: sonalihotel07@yahoo.com), [http://www.sensonmedia.net/hotelsonaligangtok.htm]. A nice place for budget tourists and a good base to meet other travellers - recently relocated to the main town near the Tourist Information Centre. It also organizes tours throughout Sikkim.
  • '''Central Lodge''' - a nice place for Budget tourists and a good base to meet other travellers - recently relocated to the main town near the Tourist Information Centre. It also organizes tours throughout Sikkim.
  • '''Green Hotel''', Mahatama Gandhi Road. One of the oldest budget hotels in Gangtok. Rooms are clean, some with attached bath. Hot water in buckets (unless recently upgraded). Rs. 200-500.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Hotel Tibet''', Paljor Stadium Road. Clean and comfortable rooms with an excellent restaurant. Rs.1500-2500.
  • '''Hotel Rigwa International''' Libing Complex, M.G.Marg & Nam Nam Crossing, above Star Cinema Hall.
  • '''Hotel Delamare''', Church Road, [http://www.hoteldelamere.com]. Conveniently located, warm, elegant decor and excellent service. 1,200rs+ per night
  • ''' Hotel Golden nest & Hotel Hill View ''' Near mall 600 to 1500 Kolkata cont 033 2249=2716 , 329=53360
  • High-End Luxury hotels

  • '''The Nor-Khill''', Gangtok. Unit of Elgin Hotels and Resorts. Colonial decor and luxury at its best. Rs.6000 +.[http://www.elginhotels.com/norkhill_rooms.html]
  • Respect

    Littering and spitting are fineable offenses.

    Contact

    There area no internet cafes along the main thoroughfares and the rate is compatible with other centers of commerce in India. However, the infrastructure is weak, and the mantra of most internet cafes is 'server down.' Travelers who need to work extensively on the internet are advised to do so in Siliguri, where the server connection is much more reliable.

  • '''Softect Enterprises''', tucked away just after the first pedestrian bridge up from the old taxi station, this '''internet cafe ''' offers two rooms filled with computers with fast connections.
  • Get out

  • Gangtok serves as an excellent base for visiting places like '''Chomgo Lake''', '''Lachung''', and the '''Yumthang Valley'''.
  • '''Rumtek Monastery''', located 22 km from the town, [http://www.rumtek.org/]. One of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and head seat of the Karma Kagyu school in Sikkim. Originally built in 1740, it fell into disrepair. The current structure dates from 1959. '''Sangye Guest House''', (near Rumtek) is a small, friendly, family run hotel.