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