Ask Cash What You Will

Place being explored: Gangtok

This little Himalayan town is the capital of Sikkim and also among two of the only cities that Sikkim has. The rest are all classified as small towns, villages and hamlets. The only approach is by road and what a twister that is. If you get sick while traveling by car, please carry medicines with you. Or else you will be puking out of the car window all the way up as I generally used to.

Things to SEE and DO

Pristine beauty and raw nature, both are available here for you. In Gangtok there is the share a cab system which allows you to commute between the three main markets and stops on the highway. It is also quite common to have landslides so watch out.

The White Hall is famous for its monthly flower shows. You go in the right season and you will see more than 108 varieties of Orchids on show here. The Bonsai show is also worth a see as is the flowerless show which showcases an extraordinary number of flora that you never though existed. No matter what month you go in you will get to see a fabulous do so try not to miss it even if you are not too fond of flower shows.

At Mile Zero there is a Tibetian handicrafts workshop cum shop. They will show you an exhibition of their goods and their heritage. Then you can hop into any of the classes where the locals train under master craftsmen to make handicrafts. Then on your way out you can pick up all the souvenirs your little heart desires. The little cloth wallets make good gifts to give back home.

If you are an early riser it would be nice to take in what is called the Kunchanjunga Sunrise. The local bus services will drive you to the spot at the mountain side where you can get a view of the peak turning all vibrant shades of the rainbow before your very eyes. Unfortunately it can be quite cloudy during the winters and often the fog does not lift till sunrise is over, which can be quite disappointing.

Nathu La Lake is an excursion which requires permits from the Army so if you are planning on visiting make sure you get the permits one day prior. On the whole they are easily available as long as there has been no tension along the border. The fun part at the lake is dressing up in local costume and getting photographed with a Yak. A word of warning, don’t think it is a horse and try to mount it, most yaks don’t take kindly to strange riders.

Shopping

The two main markets are on MG Road and Lal Market. While you will find all the regular shops at the MG Road it is Lal Market where you will be able to pick up those bargains you are hunting for. Smuggled goods are quite readily available and if you think you are getting a branded item for too low a cost it probably is a duplicate. Some of the Chinese silk available is quite good. If you are the adventurous type head into the vegetable section of Lal Market and pick up a pat of Yak butter. Its like an unending chewing gum. Only the smell takes some getting used to.

Unique to Gangtok

The city still has its living king. Since the state was added to the Indian Republic after independence it has retained its royal heritage as well. So while there is a democratic government and a governor there is also the Chogyal!