| Gangtok lives up to its name meaning the 'superior hills'. | | | | stand sealed. |
| It sits comfortably nestled in the lap of the high | | | | Gangtok is a perfect locale for holidaying and relaxing |
| elevations of the lofty peaks of the Kanchenjunga. | | | | with yourself or your partner. It gives an equally |
| The latter is the third highest peak of the Himalayas. | | | | enthralling experience even if you come with your |
| The Himalayan town of Gangtok gained importance | | | | family. The state is well known to be zero crime |
| when the former Sikkimese ruler under the British | | | | places, a rare feature much endeared all over and a |
| governance translocated the erstwhile capital from | | | | perfect place to enjoy and stay for the tourist coming |
| Tumlong to Gangtok in 1894. It was retained as the | | | | from across the globe. |
| capital even there after as it grew into the largest city | | | | The picturesque panoramas of this exotic destination is |
| of the Indian state of Sikkim on the parallel lines. | | | | filled with varied colors and garnished with a mild and a |
| Sikkim was amalgamated into the Republic of India in | | | | pleasant climate. The place reverberates with the |
| 1947 by signing a treaty between Pandit Jawaharlal | | | | mystique of Buddhist holy chants, the prayer flags |
| Nehru, the then primer minister of India and Chogyal. It | | | | lashing with the fast blowing breeze, the brightly |
| was granted the status of statehood in 1975 following | | | | colored houses designed on the lines of a pagoda |
| the lifting up of the monarchy. Located in the foothills of | | | | amidst the stupas, temples and monasteries thriving |
| the lower Himalayas; Gangtok was till recently only | | | | side by side. It is as if serenity is perpetually in the air of |
| akin to a tiny hamlet although it began to be used as a | | | | this God blessed land. |
| stopover between British India and Tibet following the | | | | The landscape of Gangtok is adorned with the |
| construction of the very sacred Enchey Monastery in | | | | deciduous forests of the birch, silver oak, popular, |
| 1840. By the end of 19th century after the Tibetans | | | | junipers, pine and conifers give a touch of mystique to |
| lost to the British, the development was amplified and | | | | the place and the exotic orchids while the rare and |
| the place was furnished with the telegraph and roads. | | | | endemic flora and fauna add to its charm. Animals as |
| The rapid incoming of the Tibetan pilgrims, Gangtok | | | | red panda, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, the |
| began fast developing and expanding its wings. Today | | | | civet cat, spotted dear and the snow leopard are the |
| the place is vibrant with numerous Buddhist | | | | zoo features of this enthralling luxuriant green |
| monasteries and institutions of religious learning. | | | | mountainous terrain. |
| Gangtok is a hub for imparting and radiating the rich | | | | Cold water springs can be seen erupting from every |
| Tibetan tradition, culture and the distinctive Tibetan | | | | here and there of its sloping mountains. The source |
| paintings, handlooms and other unique handicrafts to | | | | appears to be the deep roots of lush bamboo |
| the younger generation. Gangtok maintains a | | | | plantations which help dig out the waters underneath |
| government collage of cottage industries to learn | | | | the surface of the mountains. The beautiful handicrafts |
| manufacturing, promotion and sale of the local | | | | and other products of the cottage industry as the |
| handicrafts as the carving of the wooden tables called | | | | locally made watches, textiles, and country made liquor, |
| the choksees, weaving woolen carpets, crafing out | | | | Buddhist paintings, statues, the embroidered tapestry |
| Buddhist masks, statues, bamboo made lamp shades, | | | | and several other such items are sold on the roadside |
| furniture and much more. The Nathula and Jelepla | | | | as well as the shops. The mouth-watering local cuisine |
| passes, the branches of the ancient Silk Route near | | | | as momos, chowmin, fakthu, wonton, gyathuk, thanthuk |
| Gangtok were the passageways to facilitate the | | | | and thukpa are relished by the locals as well as |
| conduit of trade between India and Tibet until the break | | | | tourists alike. Hindu and Buddhist places of learning and |
| of Sino-Indian War in 1962. The two passes are now | | | | interest flourish and coexist side by side. |