Gangtok which, at an altitude of 1,870m, is Sikkim's fairytale capital in the clouds, balances precariously on steep mountain slopes, Surrounded by lush rice terraces, swifts flowing rivers and distant snow views, Gangtok has become the political and economic hub

Places of Interest in Gangtok
Institute of Tibetology:
About 1.5 km (nearly a mile) from downtown Gangtok is the Institute of Tibetology, an organisation dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy and region. It attracts scholars from all over the world. It houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree, antique thanks and 200 icons, all prized objects of art for the Buddhist world. The Institute has won both national and international acclaim.

Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery:
This monastery is located in the palace premises near the ridge in Gangtok. It is two storied and was used during royal functions like weddings and coronations. The Phang Labsol and the Lossang festivals are celebrated in the ground adjacent to the monastery once-every year with the performance of the 'Chhams' or the masked dances.

Dul-Dul Chorten & Jhang Club Chortan:
Sikkim has commemorated, with stupas, both the Buddha and one of his followers of today. Near the Deorali bazaar, are two exquisite stupas, the “Dul-dul-Chorten”, was built to commemorate the victory of good over evil; the “Jhang Club Chorten” was built to perpetuate the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Thrul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha and one of his best interpreters died in 1962, the stupa immortalises rimpoche in the land of his birth.

Nearby Attractions from Gangtok
Rumtek Monastery:
About 24 km from Gangtok, by meandering roads through emerald green rice terraces, lies Rumtek, the main monastery of Kagyud or 'Black Hat' sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 1959 by His Holiness the 16th Reincarnated Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyud sect, it is a replica of Tsurphu Monastery from the Kham region of Tibet. He was forced to flee the Chines capture of Tibet and physically carried unique religious treasures with him.

Pemayangtse Monastery:
Pemayangtse, the Sublime Lotus monastery, lies west of Gangtok. Built in 1705 it is Sikkim's second oldest monastery and second most important. This ancient monastery is the headquarters of the Nyingmapa Buddhist sect of Sikkim. Inside are great murals filled with thousands of deities from the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. On the top floor is a wooden sculpture, the Zandog-Palri, which depicts the heavenly abode of Guru Padmasambhava.

How to reach there
By Air:
The closest airport is at Bagdogra, which is 124-km from Gangtok and connected by air with all-important Indian Metros.

By Rail:
The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri, which is 125-km from Gangtok. NJP is well connected with all major cities of India.

By Road:
Gangtok is connected with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri by the national highway 31 A. the Sikkim nationalised transport plies regular bus services between Gangtok and Siliguri and within Sikkim. Private buses, jeeps and taxis are also available from Siliguri and Bagdogra.