Religious/ Spiritual

A slight distance above the alley ground is the Serdup-Choling monastery, which commands a panoramic view of the town and the mountains beyond.

Namchi Monastery is located just above the town and was constructed during the regime of Chogyal Ghurmed Namgyal.

Image Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhillan/3826133650/

One of the interesting places to visit en route to Namchi is the Bon Monastery at Kewzing, 5-km from Ravangla, which is the only one of its kind in Sikkim.

Another attraction worth a visit is Tolung Monastry which houses horse saddles, ancient thankas and thigh bone trumpets. These things are on public display.

A kilometre further from Phodong, the Labrang monastery was built about 100 years later. This monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the same as that of Pemayangtse monastery in West Sikkim. Its name translates simply as the dwelling place of the Lamas (monks). Labrang Monastery is unique in the sense that it is one monastery which still retains the its original structure and is not reconstructed after it was damaged. Most of the monasteries have been damaged by fire at some time in their past. It is today one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim.

Tashiding Monastery, located at a distance of 19 km to the south-east of Yuksom and 40 km from Gyalshing, is a Buddhist monastery. Dating back to 1641, the monastery is perched on the top of the hill located between the Rangit River and Rathong River. This Monastery is constructed on the top of a heart-shaped hill with the backdrop of the sacred Mount Kanchenjunga. It is basically known for two reasons - the Holy Chorten called 'Thong-Wa-Rang-To' and sacred water festival.

Pemayangtse Monastery is located about 118 km from Gangtok. It is considered the best monastery in west Sikkim as it was one intended only for ‘ta-sang’ lamas (the pure monks). It is believed to be found and planned by the trailblazer of Buddhism in Sikkim, Lhatsun Chhembo. Situated just 6 Km from Gezing in Pemayangtse Town, Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim. The monastery was build by Lama Lhatsun Chempo exclusively for 'ta-sang lamas (The Purest Monks), but today it is open to all monks.

A small monastery, Hin Shan Gompa, home to a handful of Bhutanese monks, is thirty minutes walk up out of town and offers excellent views of Kanchenjunga.

It is 11-km from Gangtok town, above Ganesh Tok with a Hindu temple where the devotees come and offer prayers.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalyan3/471068843/in/set-72157604726151511

It is situated on a ridge and is only 7-km from Gangtok. From this spot one gets birds view of sprawling Gangtok town down below while across the hills Mt. Khangchendzonga and Mt. Siniolchu loom over the horizon. A cafeteria serves hot tea/coffee and snacks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbrookes/4329821478/in/set-721576233455…