Things To Do in Gangtok

There are many festivals celebrated in Sikkim round the year but few important are listed below: 

Saga Dawa: A Buddhist festival, Saga Dawa is held on the full moon of the fourth month of the Buddhist Calendar at the end of May or early June. A colorful procession of holy books of the teaching of Buddha from Tsuklakhang monastery is carried on this day. 

Drupka Teshi: A festival that falls on the fourth day of the sixth Tibetian month, it is celebrated to mark the honor of Buddha’s first teaching of Nobel Truths 

Losoong: Losoong falls in the month of December (middle to end) and ushers in a brand new year to see for everyone’s celebration. This day is also special to farmers who celebrate it as a harvest festival offering their crops to the gods. It is celebrated with chaam dancing.

Pang Labsol: The festival in commemorations of Sikkim’s resident deity Mt Khang-chen-dzonga, it also traditionally marks The Bhutia-Lepcha brotherhood. Warrior Dance is very much part of this celebration. 

Lhahab Dhuenchen: It marks the descent of the Buddha from the heaven of the thirty-three gods where he went to pay the homage of his dead mother. 

Bhumchu: Bhumchu is a unique festival to Lepchas that predicts the year to come. A pot is filled with water and hanged in the open air with the help of a rope. If the water level remains to the brim it brings bad luck and if recedes to a lower level it predicts of prosperity. 

Flower Festival: An emblazoned display of Orchids and Rhododendrons are put on display during the month of March and April. 

Maghe Sankranti: It corresponds to the Indian Festival of Makara Sankranti and is marked by people bathing in holy rivers. 

Dasain: This is the Nepali version of the nine-day long Durga Pooja. Prayers are chanted to invoke the goddess Durga.

Sikkim offers a blend of good Nepalese, Bhutanese, Chinese, and some Indian cuisines to englut on. Sikkimese food is delicious but is essentially a variation on a single theme Momo. You can feast yourselves with these little dumplings steamed or fried; stuffed with pork, chicken, vegetable or even yak cheese. Any which way, they are finger-licking good. Also, try and get the taste of local delicacies Cheste-Dense, a kind of pasta fried in Yak butter, with mushroom and shredded chicken flaked in. Another side of Sikkim’s restaurant is branded Liquor. Good and quality brands of Liquor, which can also be procured at cheap rates, are very much a part of Gangtok’s hotels. Mostly, all budget hotels have arrangements of inexpensive cafes and restaurants serving standard Chinese/Tibetian dishes, Western breakfasts and Indian cuisines. Well, to a great surprise for vegetarians can visit Parivar Restaurant and Thali. Next to Enchey Gompa, Tourist Amenity is the right address to feats out momos (dumplings) for a giveaway Rs 12, inclusive of a soup.

Sikkim offers a blend of good Nepalese, Bhutanese, Chinese and some Indian cuisines to englut on. Sikkimese food is delicious but is essentially a variation on a single theme Momo. You can feast yourselves with these little dumplings steamed or fried; stuffed with pork, chicken, vegetable, or even yak cheese. Any which way, they are finger-licking good. Also, try and get the taste of local delicacies Cheste-Dense, a kind of pasta fried in Yak butter, with mushroom and shredded chicken flaked in. Another side of Sikkim’s restaurant is branded Liquor. Good and quality brands of Liquor, which can also be procured at cheap rates, are very much a part of Gangtok’s hotels. Mostly, all budget hotels have arrangements of inexpensive cafes and restaurants serving standard Chinese/Tibetian dishes, Western breakfasts, and Indian cuisines. Well, to a great surprise for vegetarians can visit Parivar Restaurant and Thali. Next to Enchey Gompa, Tourist Amenity is the right address to feats out momos (dumplings) for a giveaway of Rs 12, inclusive of a soup. 

Some Famous hangout / Dine Out Options: 

The Square, Paljor Stadium Road

Buzz (Glenary`s), New Market

Dragon Restaurant, Green Hotel, M.G.Marg

Fusion Lounge Bar & Restaurant, Convoy Ground

Blue Poppy/ Dragon Hall, Hotel Tashi Delek

House of Bamboo, M.G.Marg

Eden Park, Hotel Park Residency China Palate, New Market 

Hotel Sher-e-Punjab, 31A National Highway 

Krishna Restaurant 

The Roll House · Quick Bite 

Metro`s Fast Food, 31A National Highway

Oberoi`s Barbeque, New Market

Moti Mahal, New Market 

The Blue Sheep Restaurant, M.G.Marg 

Parivar Restaurant, M.G.Marg 

Wild Orchid Restaurant, Hotel Central, 31A National Highway 

Cafe Tibet 

Crispy Cuisines

Crystal Room

Ganesh Bhojanalaya

Glenery, Metro Point

Wild Orchid, NH31A

Unique , NH 31A

Replete with the narrowly-split labyrinth of markets or bazaars against the snow-laden valleys, Gangtok market appears even more comely on sunny days. A not very much shopaholic’s cup of tea, Gangtok has in treasure a lot for people who come to the city. The three main markets: Old, New and Lal Markets comprise the vital shopping zones in Gangtok. In the bazaars can be seen rows of shops/ kiosks/ stalls embellished with tidy hangings of curios, handicrafts, gifts and woollen items on display. Traditional items such as Thangkas (religious scrolls), Choktsee and prayer wheels are some of the very local products that can be bought from the Gangtok at a bargained price. As you walk along the ridge and upmarket areas Tibetian carpets, jewellery and spices are hanged beautifully and lined on exhibit and sale. Carpets and exotic designed rugs as well as jewellery with rustic and local designs are very famous and have kept with travellers pick for a long time. Like Gangtok, Gangtok’s Tea has successfully attracted tourists/traveller’s attention and bucks. A favourite purchase item, tea comes in many flavours and qualities here and thus a token of Gangtok visit.  

Canvas and wall hangings: Pièce de résistance artefactual, the canvass and wall-hangings are enticing items. These paintings are flawless depictions of Sikkim’s history, tribal profiles, eight lucky, dragons, religious processions etc.  

Choksees: A small wooden table those are collapsible and easily carried.  

Tibetian Woollen Carpets: These are quite expensive yet so beautiful items. Intricate designs and patterns reflecting the art and culture of this state, Carpets are exclusive take-home items in Gangtok. 

Dragon Sets: An exquisitely carved Dragon Sets are inlaid with gold, silver and precious sets. These consists of finely designed dragons on ear-rings, pendants, etc.  

Sikkim Tea: Thigh Quality tea is mainly grown on Temi Tea Estates. The tea is characterized by its exotic tastes and flavour and costs Rs 200/- a kg. It sells by the brand name of ‘Saluja’ and ‘Kangchendzonga’ and is a good idea to carry a few packets back home.  

Cardamom (Elaichi): Cardamoms grow in abundance in Sikkim and costs about Rs 250/- a kg.  

Temi Tea; Sikkim Liquor; Gingerina; Alpine Cheese; Dansberg Beer; SITCO Watches; Handmade Paper; Handicraft; Black Cardamom; Thankas; Carpets; Choksee; Passion fruit Juice; Orchids (hybrid); Jams and preserves; Chilli Pickle; Fresh Bamboo Shoots; Glass beads; Semi-precious stones; Handwoven Jackets and Silver Jewellery. Make a visit to M G Road in Gangtok to check out anything you want. Weekly market on Sundays at Lal market with a large display of items is a grab-anything offer. If hunting for best and intricate designs, Directorate of Handloom $ Handicrafts has a huge collection of these. buy out options are below

Charitrust Tibetian Emporium, PS Road

Curio Craft Gallery, PS Road

Gift Shop, M S Marg

Kandoika, New Market

KC Somani and Sons, Mandala Gift Centre

Sikkim Art Emporium, NH 31A

Sikkim Sarda & Co, M G Marg

Snow White, M G Marg

State Handicrafts & Showroom,Zero Point