Sikkim Tourist Attractions:: the state in Himalayas

Sikkim Tourist Attractions -

 The tourists thronging the culturally and biologically rich state of Sikkim can include the following famous destinations in their tour itinerary.

Government Institute of Cottage Industry A store house of authentic Sikkimese arts and handicrafts, the Government Institute of Cottage Industries was started during the time of the Chogyals of Sikkim. The institute producing and exhibiting beautiful souvenirs such as Carpets, Hand Carved Tables or Choktses, Traditional Handicrafts, Furniture and hand loomed carpets has gradually become one of the most sought after tourist attraction of Sikkim.

Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa) Built by Trulshi Rimpoche, the head ruler of Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism school of thought, in 1945, Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa is another famous tourist attraction at Sikkim. One of the most attractive stupas of Sikkim having 108 prayer wheels, Do Drul Chorten is a store house of Mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-Gyur relics, 'Zung' (mantras) and some other religious paraphernalia. Colossal statues of Guru Padmasambhava are also present in the chorten.

Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology is a nationally renowned centre of Tibetan Studies & Research. Popular for its vast collection of rare Buddhist books, manuscripts and more than 200 Buddhist icons, the institute is located about a kilometer downhill from the main market of Gangtok. Surrounded by small forests of oak, magnolia and birch trees, this building is a rare example of Tibetan architecture. The institute is also home to several rare religious works of art and amazingly executed silk embroidered Thangkas.

Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden Located at an altitude ranging between1800 meters to 2200 meters, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden of Gangtok is 24 kms from the capital city. Established in the year 1987, the garden is characterized by lush forest of Oak and more than 50 different kinds of trees.

International Flower Festival:

A flower show of different varieties of flowers, orchids and other rare plants in Sikkim is very popular among tourist which held every summer during the peak flowering season. This spectacular event attracts people from all over the country.

The beautiful state of Sikkim, famous for its flora which is in full bloom during March-May offers around 600 species of orchids, 240 species of trees, 150 varieties of gladioli, 46 types of rhododendrons along with a variety of magnolias and many other foliage plants. Orchids, Gladioli, Roses, Cacti, Alpine Plants, Creepers, Climbers, Ferns and Herbs are the main flowers which displays in the flower show. Seminars and lectures organized by experts also can be attained in the show.

Namchi:

Namchi is fast becoming a major tourist spot and pilgrimage centre. The Namchi monastery, Ralong monastery and Tendong Hill are important Buddhist pilgrimage centres. The world's largest statue (at 118 feet) of the BuddhistPadmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim, is on the Samdruptse hill (The Wish Fulfilling well) opposite Namchi. It was completed in February 2004. It is also said that the Samdruptse hill is actually a Dormant Volcano. Myths say that the buddhist monks have been going on top of the hill and offering prayers to the volcano to keep it calm. There is also a Rock Garden just few kilometers up from the town on the way to Samdruptse. The Rock Garden displays a wide variety of Flora and is a local recreation and picnic spot. It offers a magnificent view of Mt. Kanchendzonga (aka Mt. Kanchenjanga, the world's third highest peak).

A helipad is located 5 km away from town at an altitude of around 5000 fts. From here one can get the most panaromic view of Mt. Kanchanzonga with the surrounding mountain a part of Darjeeling Kalimgpong and the rolling plains of Bengal. The visitors can savour the breathtaking view of temi tea garden the one and the only tea estate in the state which produces top quality tea in the international market.

Kanchenjunga National Park:

Kanchenjunga National Park can be termed as a huge asset to the ecological conserve of India. Sited on the threshold of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the National Park got its name from this third highest peak of the world. This park of national importance, also embraces the gigantic Zemu glacier in its periphery. Sprawled across an area of 850sq km, Kanchendzonga National Park is known to be the largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim.

Kanchenjunga Park is extended in a large expanse and due to this; most of its part has not been explored yet. In order to explore this vast park, one is required to obtain permit and fulfill other formalities, which are required by the government of Sikkim. Ranging between altitudes of 1829 to 8585 meters, Kanchenjunga National Park (KNP) touches the feet of Mt Kanchendzonga on its western border.

The term Kanchenjunga literally means 'the Abode of Gods consisting of Five Treasure Houses'. These five treasure houses imply the five lofty peaks of Mt Kanchenjunga including Mt Narshing, Mt Pandim, Mt Siniolchu, Mt Simvo and Mt Kabru. The first three peaks are the most beautiful amongst all of them and stand tall in the locale of KNP. The varied elevation has given a perfect base to the rich collection of flora and fauna in the Park.

Coming to the fauna of this park, one can find animals like Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Tibetan Antelope, Wild Ass, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Flying Squirrel Clouded Leopard, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Thar, Lesser Cats, Tibetan Wolf, Serow, Great Tibetan Sheep, Red Panda and many more. Regarding avifauna, the park comprises almost 550 species of birds including Blood Pheasants, Satyr Tragopan, Osprey, Himalayan griffon, Lammergeier, Snow Pigeon, Impeyan Phesants, Sunbirds and Eagles.

The forested area of the park is adorned by Qurcus Spp, Schima Spp, Castanopsis Spp, Acer Spp, Birch Betula Spp, Himalayan Larch, Lari griffithi etc. KNP also has many medicinal plants along with shrubs of Mecohopsis, Primula, Rhododendron, etc. The trekking route that moves from KNP scrolls from Dzongri, Thangshing, Gochala, Chaurigang (Khanchendzonga Base Camp) to Green Lake, Jakthang and eventually to Yabuk.

Changu Lake:

Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake is a glacial lake in the East Sikkim, India, some 40 kilometres (25 mi) away fromGangtok at altitude of 3,780 m (12,400 ft).

The road to Nathu La passes the lake on north side. The Chinese border crossing is only some 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east-northeast in a straight line, but some 18 kilometres (11 mi) by road.

Indian Postal Service released a commemorative stamp on the lake on 6 November 2006.