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This is the royal chapel situated in the palace complex on the Ridge. All royal ceremonies & pujas were held here. This chapel is open for public an Pang Lhabsol and religious days such as Kagey Thuetor. The monastery houses a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures and priceless thankas.

Amidst a serene surrounding of oak, birch and ash lies the unique organization established in 1958. Built in traditional style, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology promotes research in Mahayana Buddhism and the language and traditions of Tibet. It has one of the world's largest collections of rare books and manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. The institute also has a retail outlet where related books and commercially produced religious art and craft of Tibet can be bought.

Adjacent to the Institute are two exquisite stupas, the Do Drul Chorten, built to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Jhang Chub Chorten, built in the memory of Thrukshik Rinpoche, an ardent devotee, a great spiritualist and interpreter of Buddhism. Near the chorten are housed two giant statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim.

At the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology complex is the Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal Memorial Park dedicated to the 12th and the last monarch of Namgyal dynasty. The park houses a life size bronze statue of the late Chogyal.

This Directorate was set up to promote traditional Sikkimese art and handicrafts. Exquisitely carved wooden friezes, intricate bamboo work, along with beautiful hand woven carpets and handlooms are on exhibit here. Visitors can not only purchase these items here but also see the artisans at work. Among others, a favorite item here is the choktse a wooden table with carved panels that can be folded into a portable pack.

The complex is a pride and joy of Sikkim where the world famous Orchids of Sikkim are on exhibition along with seasonal flowers and bonsai. Various competitions are organized here periodically to adjudge the best orchids which are placed for display. These shows generally coincide with the tourist season.

Perched on a ridge above Gangtok, the Enchey Monastery is nestled within lush woods with a spectacular view of Gangtok town. Built in 1910 on the site of the hermitage of the great tantric saint, Lama Drutob Karpo, who was renowned for his powers of levitation, this monastery houses the monks of the Nyingmapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism.

Scrupulously and appropriately maintained by resident units of the Indian Army this is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman which is situated about 9 kms. uphill from Gangtok at an altitude of 7200 ft. Popular belief has it that whishes made here are fulfilled. A short distance from the temple is Lukshyama - the royal cremation grounds, where the mortal remains of the erstwhile royal family of Sikkim were consigned to flames.

The present Gharwang Rinpoche is the XIIth successive incarnation of Zurmang Gharwang. The monastery is situated on the Rumtek-Ranka-Gangtok road at Lindgdum, about 45 minutes drive from Gangtok. The complex is a fine example or Tibetan monastic architecture.

This monastery is just half an hour's drive from Gangtok. It is subject to the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Established in the 1980s, the head of this monastery is the Venerable Khen Loding Rinpoche.

24 Kms. from Gangtok is the Rumtek monastery, the World Dharma Chakra Centre and the seat of his Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Behind the monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies, which attracts students from the world over.

Opposite the entrance to the Institute is a small hall featuring a beautiful jewel studded chorten, the Gold Stupa, which contains the ashes and remains of His Holiness the XVI Gyalwa Karmapa.

Sitting pretty in the lap of Mt. Kangchendzonga, the terrain offers exotic snowcapped peaks laced with plunging waterfalls, fir forests dimpled with alpine pastures and rhododendron groves flushed with hot springs.

In the northern heights are many lakes and some of them considerable in seize. Cho Lhamu at 17000 ft-5181m, and Yum Tso at 16000ft-4877m, in the extreme north at the sources of Teesta; while in the souteast corner lies the Chola, Chokam, Yakla, Bhymsa or Jusa, Ninyetso and Beduntso, at hights varying from 10000 ft-2625m to 15000ft-4570m.

At the height of 8610 ft-2625m, it is an exquisite valley town, resplendent in its crown of snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls and sparkling streams.

11800 ft-3596m, is where the three line ends and the rhododendron groves cover the landscape in a surreal shade. Yumthang is also well known for its hot springs, which have healing medical properties. Straddling the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung rivers is Chungthang, a small hamlet enroute to Lachung.

Lachen

9500 ft-2895m, stands on an alpine meadow from which rise the pine clad mountains with their snowy peaks. Consisting of barely 150 houses inhabited in winters by owners who spend the summers on the alpine pastures. Lachen is one of the most picturesque hamlets of Sikkim.
Guru Dongmar lake
17100 ft-5210m, a sacred lake, the waters are believed to possess the miraculous powers of granting issues to barren couples. The lake freezes during winter except at one spot believed to be blessed by Guru Rimpoche.
Monasteries
Phensong and Phodong monasteries are famous for their masked dances. The remotest and most inaccessible monastery in Sikkim is at Tolung in the Lepcha heartland of Dzongu.

The Tolung monastery is the one 'high holy spot' said to contain relics of Lhatsun Chenpo. The Phensong monastery, built in 1840, and belonging to the Nyingmapa order, is situated on a gentle slope stretching from Kabi to Phodong.

A short distance away from Yuksom, the first capital of the Namgyal dynasty are the ruins of Rabsentse, the second capital of the erstwhile kingdom.

The Yuksom - Dzongri trekking trail is the most popular trek in Sikkim. The route passes trough almost entirely uninhabited and remarkable pristine forest past past tiny yak herders' summer settlements, remote monasteries up to an extensive alpine pasture 4000m to Dzongri which has the breathtaking views of the mountains.

The Bon Monastery at Kewzing, 5 kms. from Ravangla, is the only one of its kind in Sikkim. It is a symbol of the determination to preserve their religious traditions.