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