U found the title confusing didn’t u?? You have understood by the recommendation status that it is a nice place.
Gangtok was formerly an independent state. It merged with India in 1975 and I thank the then King for the merger so that I could visit this another paradise of nature. Gangtok as such is situated at a height lower than Darjeeling and is not as cold as Darjeeling. One can view Kanchandzonga from here.
Gangtok has many links to different places instead of just places inside it to visit. You may visit the different monasteries there [where unluckily photography is not allowed], there are some gardens and there is a ropeway. The city-Gangtok’s tour finishes in a day and the rest of the days can be kept reserved for the different links provided from Gangtok.
From Gangtok, you can hire a Sumo/ Van privately or go along with some other people as a group to Tsomgo lake, Baba Mandir or Nathula pass. For each of these, you have to take permits and Nathula pass can be visited only on some particular days. The others are open everyday. As you approach Tsomgo lake at 12, 000 feet, you feel like wow!! The high altitude, the snow cladden mountains, the snow on the road, the steep slope, the beauty, the nature, it makes us forget all worldly pleasures. Tsomgo lake is situated at 12, 000 feet and the lake remains frozen partially or fully in the winter season. There are Yaks all around and there masters offering us a ride for Rs 150 and the photo on the Yak as Rs 10. There are shops selling tea, cold drinks, and also warm clothes for rent.
Baba mandir was made in memory of a soldier who died and another soldier had a dream of him. So the mandir was established. It is situated at a higher altitude [we did not go there].
From Gangtok, IF U HAVE ONLY A FEW DAYS, this is the best nearest place to visit.
If you have alotted some more days for your vacation, you may go to Yumthang. ’’Yumthang is the best’’ as the people of Sikkim say.
Gangtok has a small market with not many things to buy. The market also has an Archies shop. Bizzare na!! It also has a great bakery. It is a clean and green city where u are not supposed to use plastic bags, yes, it is a no plastic zone buddy.
How to reach there?? Good question. There are no airports or railways {i guess} in Sikkim so u have to go there by road. You may hire a taxi from Siliguri, Darjeeling and reach there. Till Siliguri, train facility is available and at half an hour distance by car, Baqgdogra airport is present. Jet airways/ Indian airlines flights arrive here and take off too.
And the people here are very helpful and charming. The drivers if commit some fault and come to a near accident situation, they smile at each other instead of fighting.
Gangtok u r 1derful!!!