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Pelling is a town that embraces the mystical aura of the Himalayan range and invites one and all to experience the same. The town welcomes trekkers and tourists who wish to indulge in the beauty of the mountains. Since a majority of the town’s population follows Buddhism, visitors can find multiple monasteries that excel in terms of architecture. It attracts a lot of tourists to the several attractions that are peppered throughout the town. Here are 10 such places to visit in Pelling, Sikkim.
10 Places To Visit In And Around Pelling
Throughout the year, multiple tourists travel to Pelling, to experience the wonder of its picturesque locations. Here is a curated list of ten places to visit in Pelling, so that you do not miss out on any.
1. Pemayangtse Monastery
Photo: dhillan chandramowli / Wikimedia Commons
The Pemayangtse Monastery is located in the Gyalshing district of Sikkim. The monastery originated as an accommodation for ta-tshangs or monks of ‘pure’ lineage. Such monks in Buddhist tradition, are often identified by the absolute lack of physical abnormalities and as followers of celibacy. Buddhist pilgrims often visit this monastery during their sacred journey, after visiting the Dubdi monastery first. The monastery was built under the ruler Chador Namgyal. Pemayangtse Monastery is nestled amidst two snow-covered mountains on either side, at a high altitude.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee/Person: ₹20
Suggested Read: Best Things To Do In Pelling To Enjoy A Blissful Vacation
2. Rabdentse Ruins
Photo: Rangan Datta / Wikimedia Commons
The Palace ruins of Rabdentse are also a part of the same pilgrimage circuit as that of Pemayangtse Monastery. It was the capital of the Sikkim Kingdom from 1670 to 1814. The best time of the year to visit these ruins is in summer. When the weather is pleasant and not immensely cold. The site of these ruins is located at a distance of about 9 km from Pelling and can be reached through a 30 minute journey by road. Some visitors also choose to walk the entire distance, strolling through the verdant landscape.
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: Free
3. Chenrezig Statue and Skywalk
Photo: Rangan Datta / Wikimedia Commons
This widely visited statue of Bodhisattva Chenrezig, is 137 feet tall and visitors and worshippers need to cover a long flight of stairs to reach the base of the statue. The skywalk, located in the same site, is a foot bridge with a glass bottom, to help tourists experience the fascinating difference in altitude that they have covered. It is recommended that you visit the statue on a weekday, since it is very crowded during public holidays and weekends. Visitors get a view of the mountains from the skywalk and this makes it a popular place for taking pictures and videos.
Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
Entry Fee/Person: ₹100
Suggested Read: Go Camping In Sikkim At These Places To Witness The Alluring Beauty of Sikkim
4. Tathagata Tsal
Photo: Devsutapabublu / Wikimedia Commons
The Tathagata Tsal is also commonly referred to as the Ravangla Buddha Park, since it lies in very close proximity to the Ravangla district of Sikkim. The park is perfect for evening strolls and provides a serene atmosphere for one to gather their thoughts. The image of Buddha here, is popularly known as the Sakyamuni Buddha. If you are looking for a complete rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul, then you can avail the facilities of the museum meditation centre here. A spiral gallery depicting different episodes from the Buddha’s life is also visited widely by tourists.
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee/Person: ₹50
5. Buxa Formation in Mamley
Photo: Babette1966 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Mamley is located in the town of Namchi. The word ‘Namchi’ can be broken down into Nam meaning ‘Sky’ and Chi meaning ‘High’ in the Sikkimese language. It is located at an altitude of 5500 feet above sea level and is well connected to Gangtok, Siliguri, Jorethang and Pelling. It is also connected efficiently through transport to towns in other parts of Sikkim and the state of West Bengal. The Buxa Formation site provides evidence of the earliest life in the Himalayas. It consists of precambrian algae which have formed Dolomite Limestones.
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee: Free
Suggested Read: Go Trekking In Sikkim For A Soulful And Exhilarating Scenic Journey
6. Khangchendzonga National Park
Photo: G Devadarshan Sharma / Wikimedia Commons
This protected area includes glaciers, valleys, lakes and ancient forests that surround the great mountain of Khangchendzonga. These natural elements are considered to be sacred and are associated with myths about the colossal mountain, which is the third largest in the world. The area is also a part of the Himalayan Global Biodiversity Hotspot and occupies 25% of the entire state of Sikkim. Birch and willow trees are most commonly found in this National Park and the valleys in it also abound in herbs of medicinal value.
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee/Person: ₹350
7. The Khangchendzonga Falls
Photo: Sujay25 / Wikimedia Commons
This waterfall has a very high intensity and this produces a unique cooling effect on its surrounding areas. For those looking for an adventurous spin, there are zip lines which bring one closer to the waterfalls, while being suspended in the air. There are multiple eateries and souvenir shops nearby for those in search of a shopping spree. An interesting story about the Khangchendzonga Falls is that it was largely unknown until a tour operator called Topjor Bhutia discovered it in the 1990s. Since then, it has been one of the most famous tourist spots in Sikkim.
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee/Person: ₹20
Suggested Read: Cascading Waterfalls In Sikkim That Are Not To Be Missed
8. Singshore Bridge
Photo: Ankur P / Wikimedia Commons
This bridge is the second highest in all of Asia and is visited by a large number of tourists all year round. The picturesque panoramic view of waterfalls in the vicinity of this area provided by this bridge is worth the while. Strolling on this bridge, while taking in the magnificence of the view around, can be an experience of a lifetime for you. It was inaugurated in 1993 by the then Prime Minister of Sikkim, N.B Bhandari. It is just 25 km away from Pelling and is a must visit for all tourists. The total length of the bridge is 240m.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free
9. Khecheopalri Lake
Photo: Sujay25 / Wikimedia Commons
This lake is surrounded by a verdant trail of trees on all sides. It is about 147 km away from Gangtok and is believed to be sacred for Hindus as well as Buddhists. One can hear the chanting of prayers around it, adding to the serenity of the atmosphere. It is also believed that making a wish upon stones and placing them in a certain way near the lake fulfills the wish. The lake is locally called ‘Sho Dzo Sho’ which translates to ‘Oh Lady, Sit here.’ the lake is also adorned with prayer flags which are of great significance to the Buddhist community in Sikkim.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee/Person: ₹10
Suggested Read: Top Offbeat Places In Sikkim For Your Next Surreal Trip
10. River Orange Garden
Photo: Priyamkajal / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This garden presents you with a panoramic view of the river Rimbi and the mountain valleys. It is lush and green, with flowers all around. It gets its name from the eponymous orange and cardamom plants that it houses. One can also get access to a part of the river, because it follows through the garden. This is also a popular spot for pictures and videos. There is also a shades place to sit in case it rains heavily during the monsoon. It is located at a distance of 13 km from Pelling and can be reached by road.
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee/Person: ₹10
Pelling is perfect for those planning to travel solo as well as those planning to travel with family. Other than the ten places to visit in Pelling mentioned above, there are several other monasteries and waterfalls that catch the eye of travellers all year round. With tourists coming in more often than ever, Pelling has become a more commercially advanced town, with better roads at present. If you are planning to spend a holiday, embracing the mystical serenity of the mountains, then book your trip to Pelling through TripXL now.
Cover Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
