Your Complete Guide to West Sikkim: Where Adventure Meets Serenity
Peling:- Peling is a picturesque tourist center at an altitude of 6800 feet, 10 km from Gejing, the district headquarters of West Sikkim. The entire West Sikkim can be seen from Peling. A small town in the lap of the Himalayas, but important on the tourism map of Sikkim. Today, this tourist center, which grew in the last decade of the last century, is full of hotels. If the weather is favorable, the mesmerizing form of Kanchenjunga with Himalayan peaks of Kumbhakarna, Koktang, Kabrudom, Ratong, Goecha, Pandim, Sinyolchu, Snoguno can be seen from here.
Day by day he changes form. I always think I’m seeing something fresh.The form of Kanchanjoja at sunrise is mind blowing. That wonderful scene can never be forgotten. A flower fair is held in spring, and the helipad is a short walk away. Below is Sikkim Govt Handicrafts Training Centre. Here there is an exhibition of handwoven carpets, sweaters, handicrafts by girls. There are 13 spots to visit around Pelling. All these spots are recommended by local travel agents.
Tell the hotel you are staying at for site seeing. Jeep leaves in the morning and returns to Peling in the afternoon, after eating and drinking, the journey starts again after 1 hour. Definitely try to book the front seat of the jeep.
Top 13 Best Places to Visit in Pelling, West Sikkim
Rimbi Falls:- 12 km from Pelling This waterfall is not very high but its diversity is interesting. The stream of water came down step by step from above. Some distance away is Rimbi river. Hydel project is developed. From here straight road goes to Khechiperi Lake.
Khecheopalri Lake:-Khechiperi Monastery on the way. There is a statue of Lord Buddha, peaceful environment. You have to go to the lake to visit the Monastery. The path went through the trees on the hillside. Shadowy path. The call of birds comes to the ears. A little further is Khechiperi Lake, 29 km from Peling. Huge lake, crystal clear water. So much is the belief in the cleanliness of the water that it is said that not even a leaf remains in the water of the lake.
The leaves are picked up by the birds. This lake is sacred to people of both Hindu and Buddhist religions.On the lakeside, there is a Shiva temple. Popular belief is that a girl named Khechiperi received Shiva’s blessings here; The lake is named after him.
Khechiperi Falls:- A little further down from the lake is Khechiperi Falls. The current here is not so strong. Quietly coming down the hill. This stream comes down from Khechiperi Lake. However, it is not seen where the water flow comes down. It is said that the water of the lake came through the mountains and became a spring.
Kanchenjunga Falls:- The most beautiful waterfall in Sikkim falls between two hills not far from Khechiperi Falls. But the path is a bit difficult. You have to go up the bamboo ladder and walk through the narrow path to reach the waterfall. The stream of water is coming down from above with great velocity and splashing down.
A layer of fog is created by water droplets. Sunlight falling on it creates the seven colors of the rainbow. That scene fills the mind. This falls was discovered by a school teacher named Tabjor Bhutia. Although the falls were supposed to be named after him, this anti-publicity man named it Kanchenjunga Falls.
Sangacholing Monastery:-Tung Tung Donga—10 minutes from Kanchenjunga Falls. The footpath led down the hill in front of a cave. There is a big stone at the mouth of this cave. The shape is like a turtle. This stone has a peculiar feature. Hitting it with another stone creates a sound wave. If you hit one place, you get a different sound. This stone is very sacred to the local people. Built in 1697, Sangacholing Monastery is one of the oldest temples in Sikkim.
Walking path through the forest. This cave is covered in the shade of trees. Deep silence all around. Falls with medium height. This waterfall comes down from the mountain. The scenery around is beautiful, it’s nice to see. Drive from Sange Falls to Dentam. Asia’s highest gorge bridge, named Singsor Bridge, is located on the Singsor River here.
Singso Bridge:- Height 678 feet. Distance from Peling is 26 km. At the end of the day the car returns from Dentam to Pelling.
Tashiding Monastery:- 46 km from Peling and 16 km from Yaksam is Tashiding Monastery. Like Pemyangshi, this monastery also belongs to the Nima-Pa sect. In the 17th century, Sempa Chempo first made a small lacquer. Later in 1717 during the reign of Chogyal Chakdar Namgyel III, this picturesque monastery was built on the hill by Pedi Wangmo.
The beauty around the monastery fills the mind. Kanchenjunga on one side, two mountain rivers Rayong and Rangit flow through the mountain. The main festival here is Bhamchu. On the way to Tashiding Monastery is the famous Singing Stone. Hitting this stone produces a beautiful melody.
Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary:- Rhododendron forest at an altitude of 10500 feet on the western border of Sikkim. From mid-March to the end of April, red and white varieties of rhododendron flowers can be seen here. Barsi Rhododendron and Jongri Trek are also famous among trekking enthusiasts.
Permit:- Yumthang valley is under the control of army so visiting this place requires protected area permit which you get from Gangtok tourism office. You can also arrange permits through tour operators.
Pemyangshi Monastery:-This gumpha is 3 km from Peling. 7 km on the way from Gejing to Peling is the mountain town of Pemiyangshi at an altitude of 7000 feet. Range of mountains all around, skyscraper peaks. Snow is white. Kanchenjunga seems to be right in front. Meditation on all nature. It houses the oldest monastery in Sikkim, built in 1705. Latsun Chempo first built the temple here.
Later this temple was converted into a Gumpha. This cave belongs to the Nyingma Pa (Red Hat) community. The wood carvings here are wonderful. There are various artifacts, statues, murals. Walking distance from the monastery is the Rabdesi Ruins, the ruins of the ancient palace of King Yaksam of Sikkim. Sikkim Tourism HOTELS are located near the monastery for a secluded stay
Geyzing:- District town Geyzing on the way to Peling. Small town, altitude 2085 meters. Although not important for tourism, the town has historical significance for the Chogyal kingdom and the spread of Buddhism. There is HOTEL for staying.
Yuksom:- One of the oldest towns in Sikkim, Yuksom was the first capital of Sikkim state founded by Phuntsog Namgyal, the first Chogyal, in 1642 AD. This township, 40 km from Pemyangshi, was the first capital of Sikkim. Height 1780 meters. Yuksom means the place where the three priests meet. According to history, the first Chogyal King, Phunsok Namgyal, was initiated by three monks in 1641. If you are looking for a quiet destination amidst the pristine hills, go to Jongri in West Sikkim, where the [Goecha La Trekking] route starts.
gangtok to pelling distance
Gangtok to Pelling: in West Sikkim is about 116 kilometers (about 72 miles) when traveling by road. The journey usually takes 4 to 5 hours depending on road conditions and traffic. It is a scenic drive through the Himalayan region, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and the beautiful landscape of Sikkim.The distance from Darjeeling to Pelling: in West Sikkim is approximately 73 kilometers (about 45 miles) when traveling by road. The journey takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic. Siliguri to Pelling: in West Sikkim is approximately 135 kilometers (about 84 miles) when traveling by road. The journey typically takes around 4 to 5 hours, depending on the specific route, road conditions, and traffic.
How to go From
Siliguri’s SNT bus stand, buses run through Gazing and Pelling. Shoar jeeps are also available from outside the bus stand. The jeep from Gangtok to Pelling leaves in the morning. You can also reach Gazing by government bus or jeep from there to Peling by jeep.
Where to Stay:- There are plenty of hotels all over Pelling. Three parts of Pelling—Upper Pelling, Middle Pelling and Lower Pelling. Hotel fares in Lower Pelling are a bit cheaper but it is better to stay near the helipad in Upper Pelling.
