Sikkim Places, Places in Sikkim, Cities in Sikkim, Districts in Sikkim

Sikkim is divided into four districts which are North, South, West and East district. Sikkim’s greatest tourist attraction is simply staring at Khangchendzonga, white magnificent peak from Pemayangtse. Most visitors then add excursions to nearby waterfalls and monasteries, and some lovely one-day hikes start from the charming village of Yuksom. That’s also the trailhead for serious multiday group-trek expeditions to Dzongri (group trekking permits required). Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is located in the East District. There are various places in Sikkim which offers more than natural beauty. Mountains, lush green forests, gurgling streams and the rich flora and fauna are all there in Sikkim. Gangtok is a cosmopolitan and capital city of Sikkim, situated on a ridge. Gangtok has undergone rapid modernization in the last two decades and contains all modern facilities. The biggest attractions in North Sikkim are the idyllic Yumthang and Tsopta Valleys. Reaching them and anywhere north of Singhik currently requires a special permit but that’s easy to obtain, unless you are traveling alone. It’s perfectly possible to visit Phodong and Mangan or Singhik independently using public jeeps. However, they can be

Districts of Sikkim

The four districts of Sikkim are East, West, North and South Districts.

East District
East District is the hub of all administrative activity in Sikkim. The capital city of Gangtok is situated in the heart of the East District. This is the hub of all activity in the state. Gangtok is a fast developing city where quaint little curio shops exist in harmony with shopping arcades and cyber cafes. The world famous Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, the Dharma Chakra Centre, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Do Drul Chorten, Tashi View Point and the seat of Gyalwa Karmapa is also located here. Besides the usual shopping for momentos and artifacts in Gangtok, the East District offers many interesting places to visit such as the alpine Tsomgo Lake and the Nathula Pass.

West District
The West District is the main place to visit if one is in the search of adventure. The West District lives up to its proverbial name as being wild and free as it is the base from where all treks into the wilds of the majestic Himalayas begin. Whether it is the white water rafting down the frothing waters of the Teesta and Rangit or trekking through the beautiful and dense Rhododendron forests, the West district has it all. The West District headquarters at Geyzing.

North District
The North District is the most beautiful of all the Districts. This district offers an exquisite experience to the lovers of Nature and alpine scenery. Yumthang alone is enough to satiate the most demanding, with its panoramic Valley of Flowers. During spring time, the lush meadows abound with delicate wild flowers that carpet the valley floor in a rich riot of colors. A must see place here are the Hot Springs and the vibrant Sikkimese tribal culture and customs. The district headquarters are located at Mangan which has now become the gateway to the unexplored North. The northernmost edges of the district merges into the Tibetan plateau which lends its uniqueness to its sparsely populated region. The Tibetan Wild ass, locally known as Kyang has been spotted in this region. Like the rest of Sikkim, this district also has its share of monasteries and legends but the most famous spot is Yumthang.

South District
The district headquarters of the South District are at Nachi. Namchi literally means the Top of the Sky. Before visiting West Sikkim one has to traverse through the South District. Some of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim are located here and an 108 feet high image of Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim is located near the Namchi. Adventure Trekking is being promoted in a big way here with a base camp being set up at Ravangla for treks up to Maenam and Tendong Hill, the root of Lepcha folklore. One can also indulge in mountain biking and Nature Trails here.

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