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Pelling is a quiet, mountain, small town located in the Indian state of Sikkim. It lies beautifully enveloped in a dreamy cover of beauty and peace at the foothills of Mount Khangchendzonga. It is green, misty with blue fluffy clouds and blue-green-white mountains. The mountain slopes have a rich cover of green trees, shrouded in blue mists at times and have sparkling white snow cover at the tops. The main or the most attractive tourist points in and around Pelling are uncharacteristically unique. The late-seventeenth-century Buddhist Sanga Choling Monastery has amazing mountain views while the Pemayangtse Monastery is grand and overwhelming in a royal tapestry of wall paintings, sculptures and a gold-plated statue of Guru Padmasambhava. The ancient Rabdentse Palace ruins that overlook a peaceful valley dates back to the seventeenth-century. Stay awestruck at the traces of evidence belonging to the then royal family, such as the king’s bedroom and kitchen. Pelling is a popular tourist destination which is famed for its breath-taking natural beauty coupled with stunning views of the Himalayan mountain range. Some of the mesmerising attractions of Pelling without which visit to Pelling shall remain incomplete can be joyfully summarised as below as reference points for a trip to Sikkim.
Also Read: Things to do in Pelling & Best Time to Visit Pelling
This is a historic monastery belonging to the seventeenth century. It is revered as being the oldest and most important Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim. Travellers can gaze at the stretch of panoramic views of the surrounding towering mountains and spend some moments away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The three-storied structure of Pemayangtse Monastery houses ancient artifacts and religious treasures and has a brilliant depiction of intricate paints and sculptures. It is a brilliant combination of carrying and infusing the baton of religious and cultural heritage of Sikkim and sprinkling an overdose of natural beauty and peace to it. The term ‘Pemayangtse’ means ‘Perfect Sublime Lotus’ in the Tibetan language. This monastery is thus an emblem of purity and divinity and is an important centre for the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Suggested Read: Places to visit in Sikkim & Things to do in Sikkim
| Location | Located near Pelling, a western town, which is about 2 kilometres and 110 kilometres from the capital city, Gangtok. |
| How to Reach: | Pemayangtse Monastery is a that is around 50 km drive from Pelling by a hired taxi or cab. |
| Best time to go | The best time to visit the monastery is in the winter months of November to February and is worth it; The best time to visit would be during the last days of the twelfth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar in the month of February when the monks perform the Cham dance. |
| Special feature | The main attraction is an ancient and majestic wooden structure with seven tiers on the top floor. It was built and painted by Dungzin Rimpoche, and represents Zandog-pairi or the Heavenly Palace as visualized by Rimpoche. |
The legendary Khecheopalri Lake is also known as the Wishing Lake. It is a sacred lake both for the Buddhists and the Hindus. The area surrounding the lake is covered by lush green forests , this serene lake is believed to fulfil the wishes of those who visit it. The locals and the Lepcha community visiting this lake preserve its purity and sanctity. The reflection formed on the quiet lake along with the colourful prayer flags and stones found all around will make your visit to this lake from Pelling memorable.
| Location | Located in Pelling, a western town, about 154kms from Gangtok; this lake is just 24 km from Pemayangtse Monastery. |
| How to Reach: | The walking trail from Pelling to Khecheopalri takes about 5 hours to reach the lake. |
| Best time to go | The best time to visit the lake is during the months from October to May; Best season can be identified as the winters during the months from October to February. |
| Special feature | This monastery is known as ‘place of secret spells’ and you can reach Sanga Choeling by walking around 4 km through a thicket of deciduous trees. |
The Sangachoeling Monastery is located on the top of a hill and offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. The monastery is known for its ancient architecture, spectrum of coloured murals and pervading tranquillity all around. Established during the same time as the Pemayangtse Monastery in the seventeenth century, this monastery was founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo, a prominent figure in the history of spreading Buddhism in Sikkim. It has a rich legacy and plays a crucial role in preserving the Buddhist traditions and teachings. Its Tibetan architectural style showcases brilliant and intricate woodwork and vibrant paintings depicting Buddhist deities and legends. The walls are adorned with colourful frescoes and lets you get completely immersed in the rich cultural heritage of Sikkim.
| Location | located in Pelling, a western town, about 135kms from Gangtok, on a hill opposite to the Pemayangtse Monastery. |
| How to Reach: | A brisk walk of around 2 km from the Upper Pelling football field will take you to the entrance of this gompa. |
| Best time to go | The best time to visit is during the summer months from March to May when the weather is fairly pleasant. |
| Special feature | This monastery is known as ‘place of secret spells’ and you can reach Sanga Choeling by walking around 4 km through a thicket of deciduous trees. |
These ruins are the royal remnants of a glorious culture that flourished centuries ago and unveiling the glory of the seat of power for the Sikkimese kings from seventeenth to nineteenth centuries till it was abandoned in the early nineteenth century. Rabdentse Ruins offer a peep into Sikkim’s rich history and the visitors thoroughly enjoy the charming beauty of the towering mountain ranges and the valleys that lie in their folds. Apart from the archaeological importance, the ruins also form a pleasant site for a short trek through the surrounding forest trails all around. The artifacts and structures belonging to these ruins provide insights into the lifestyle, culture and facilitate the study of architecture of this ancient Sikkimese kingdom.
| Location | The ruins of Rabdentse Palace lies in the West Sikkim, located very close to the Pemayangtse Monastery. |
| How to Reach: | It can be reached through a trek down 2 km from the Pemayangtse Monastery on the way to Pelling. |
| Best time to go | The best time to visit is during the summer months from March to May when the weather is fairly pleasant. |
| Special feature | The Rabdentse ruins were declared as a heritage site by the Archaeological Survey of India; A special place of interest for those interested in history or architecture-archaeology. |
| Entry fee | The entry to Rabdentse Ruins is through Sidkeong Tulku Bird Park Tickets are priced for Indian tourists – INR 25; Foreigner Tourist – INR 50 |
| Camera charges | Camera Fees – Free |
| Timings | It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Recommended to visit early morning or by at least 2 p.m. since it gets dark early in North East India. |
The sparkling fall is located approximately 12 km from Pelling. Rimbi Waterfall is breath-taking, surrounded by dense forests and orange groves. It is a favourite haunt for the local people and is a much-loved tourist spot ideal for a picnic or a leisurely, peaceful stroll in harmony with nature. The Rimbi Rock Garden is located just adjacent to the waterfall and fascinates tourists and travellers with its manicured lawns, flower beds and rock formations. The mellowed fragrance of citrus trees emanating from the orange groves all around will tempt you to take a leisure walk among the orchards. Catch hold of the local vendors selling fresh oranges to try some juicy plucking from the trees in season. The entire region provides a pleasant environment for visitors to relax and enjoy nature.
| Location: | Approximately 5 km away from Pelling in West Sikkim district |
| How to Reach: | A shared jeep or state-run bus from Gangtok to Pelling will take you to Singshore Bridge; the distance between both places is about 129 km and it takes approximately 4.5 hours to reach from Pelling. |
| Best time to go | The best time to visit is during the summer months from March to May when the weather is fairly pleasant. |
| Timings | The visiting hours is from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, daily. |
| Charges/Entry Fee | There are no entry charges |
For adventure enthusiasts, a visit to the Singshore Bridge would be extremely appealing. It is the highest bridge in Sikkim and offers joyous views of the green valleys and hills spread below. It is an iconic suspension bridge of an impressive height of approximately 198 meters (650 feet) and length of about 240 meters (800 feet) hangs over a deep gorge, and is definitely not for the not-so-brave hearts. The thrill of walking across the bridge suspended so high in the air experiencing the wonder of modern scientific and technological marvels is adrenaline pumping and extremely rejuvenating. Don’t miss this memorable bridge walk when visiting Pelling. The sweeping views all around make this place a photographer’s haven.
| Location: | Approximately 5 km away from Pelling in West Sikkim district. |
| How to Reach: | A shared jeep or state-run bus from Gangtok to Pelling will take you to Singshore Bridge; the distance between both places is about 129 km and and it takes approximately 4.5 hours to reach from Pelling. |
| Best time to go | The best time to visit is during the summer months from March to May when the weather is fairly pleasant. |
| Timings | The visiting hours is from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, daily |
| Charges/Entry Fee | There are no entry charges |
This is a beautifully landscaped garden decorated with rocks, flowers and waterfalls and is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains.
| Location: | Approximately 12 km away from Pelling. |
| How to Reach: | A hired taxi/cab or public transport or even shared taxi/jeep will take you by road to Sewaro Rock Garden from Pelling, through scenic landscapes, offering breath-taking views of the hills and valleys of Sikkim; journey time would be around 48 min. |
| Best time to go | The best time to visit is during the summer months from March to May when the weather is fairly pleasant; another opportune time is in the month of January when the Maghe Mela is held on the 14th of the month. |
| Timings | The visiting hours is from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, daily |
This is another waterfall which is located near Dentam village. It is a splendid cascade that falls merrily from a height of about 300 meters. The surrounding greenery and verdant glory adds to its pristine charm. Changey Waterfall is quite comfortably accessible from Pelling, and forms a popular attraction for both tourists and locals. The waterfall is located close to the main road, and it takes only a short walk from the parking area to reach the viewing point.
| Location: | Approximately 12 km away from Pelling. |
| How to Reach: | A hired taxi/cab or public transport or even shared taxi will take you by road to Changey Waterfall from Pelling, through scenic landscapes, offering breath-taking views of the hills and valleys of Sikkim. |
| Best time to go | Throughout the year; avoid the monsoon season, mainly from June-September. |
Yuksom is a beautiful town that is located nearby. It carries a lot of historical significance. Yuksom was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD by the first Chogyal, Phuntsog Namgyal, and serves as the base for several treks in the region. The daring but popular Kanchenjunga Trek starts here and thus this place earns its title of Gateway to Kangchendzongha. The fascinating beauty arises from the close-at-hand views of the third highest mountain peak of Kanchenjunga.
Also Read: Places to visit in Yuksom & Things to do in Yuksom
| Location: | In the Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. |
| How to Reach: | The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport in the Siliguri district of West Bengal which is around 159 km from Yuksom; it takes around 6-7 hour road journey. |
| Best time to go | March to June and September to October. |
Also Read: Best Time to Visit Yuksom & How to Reach Yuksom
If you’re a nature lover, a visit to Kanchenjunga National Park is a must. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to diverse flora and fauna, including the elusive snow leopard, and offers incredible trekking opportunities.
| Location: | Northern Indian State of Sikkim. |
| How to Reach: | Closest railhead to the Khangchendzonga National Park is the Siliguri Junction in New Jalpaiguri; it is about 50 km from Gangtok and 40 km from Pelling. |
| Timings: | 10 AM to 4 PM |
| Best time to go | Between the time period of March and May as well as September and mid-December |
Pelling is known for its natural beauty and the famous Pemayangste monastery, which is situated less than a km. Pelling also offers adventure sports such as mountain biking, rock climbing, village tours, trek and a bunch of unique tourist attractions.
Pelling is a unique blend of adventure and beauty and worth spending a few days during your Sikkim vacation. Mountain views, monasteries, waterfalls, park and archaeological ruins provide a complete holiday package.
You need at least 3 to 5 days to explore Pelling thoroughly, which includes your arrival and departure. If Pelling is included as a part of Gangtok trip, you can even explore the major popular tourist destinations in a one-day or two-day stop-over trip.
If exploring east Sikkim and North Sikkim is a highlight in your trip, then Gangtok would be a better choice. If the focus is Ravangla, west Sikkim, or an adventurous trek through the Kanchenjunga National Park, then Pelling would be a good start.
It is not usual to see snowfall in Pelling, even in the height of winters during the severest months of January and February. There might be a slight possibility of getting a light snow-shower, but Pelling can’t be identified as the best destination to enjoy snowfall in Sikkim.
Self-driven car rental services are available for Sikkim but this service will be limited to unprotected areas. Exploring Sikkim or Pelling, including Gangtok, the whole of south Sikkim including Namchi, Ravangla, Jorethang and a lot of west Sikkim including Pelling, Temi, Kaluk and more would be really comfortable and adventurous.
Tiger Hill is located 13 kilometers from Pelling. It is located at an altitude of 2590 meters (8482 feet. Pelling is internationally famed for its magnificent view of the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga and the other major eastern Himalayan peaks. Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is visible from Pelling.
Pelling is ideal for visiting throughout the year. The best time for a visit to this beautiful hill town is from mid-February to May and from September to December. Peak winter months of January till mid-February are cold but can be a lot of fun.
Lachung is a better option than Pelling if natural beauty is considered. Lachung’s beauty is surreal and changes face with changing seasons. Pelling gives a tough competition with its abundant greenery and the views of Mount Kanchenjunga as a treat to your eyes.
Lachen and Thangu Valley can be identified as the coldest places in Sikkim. Northern Sikkim is cold and offers some of the most beautiful snow-capped mountain peaks in India. It might be a bit inaccessible due to its rough terrain and high altitudes.
The average temperature in Pelling in October for a typical day hovers between 62°F (17°C) and 46°F (8°C). It can be described as moderately chilly and humid but cool and pleasant.
Pelling Paragliding experience is complete with safe assistance from qualified and experienced training professionals. Soaring to heights in your parachute to scaling more than 4,000 feet above sea level makes for an amazing adventure.
The famous Pelling skywalk is known as the Chenrezig Statue and Skywalk. This is a unique and major tourist attraction in Pelling, West Sikkim district, Sikkim. The structure contains a 137 ft (42 m) tall statue of the bodhisattva Chenrezig, which makes it the tallest Chenrezig statue in the world. It is also India’s first glass skywalk.
The Pelling skywalk is 2.5 km in length and is suspended at a height of 7,200 feet above sea level with a transparent, glass floor. This skywalk is only for the brave at hearts and shall be awestruck standing up hundreds of feet looking down at the valley below.
Pelling to Darjeeling taxi fare is approximately ₹2399 for a good sedan car like Etios, Dzire and is about ₹2499 for SUV car.
Taxi tariff Sikkim and Darjeeling will be as follows: Pelling to Ravangla or Kalimpong or Darjeeling taxi fare would be INR – 3,999 for WagonR and INR – 4,999 for Sumo Bolero approximately.
Pelling is a hill station located in the Gyalshing district of Sikkim, India. Pelling is at an altitude of 2,150 m (7,200 feet). The town is at a distance of 10 km from Gyalshing city, which is the district headquarters. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is 131 km from Pelling with a regular bus service connection between them.
Yuksom is the Kanchenjunga base camp, which is located 35.9 km from Pelling and 145.9 km from Gangtok. These towns are well connected by shared jeep or buses. One can drive down comfortably by a private taxi too.
Kanchenjunga Waterfalls, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins. Heritage, Khecheopalri Lake. Backwaters, Rimbi Waterfalls, Sanga Choeling Monastery, Singshore Bridge and Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim — make for the topmost tourist attractions of Pelling.
The average temperature in Pelling in September ranges from a high of highest 19 degrees Celsius to a low of 12 degrees Celsius. The weather is therefore pleasantly cool, with a trace of humidity and highly enjoyable.
Pelling weather in May is very pleasant. It is a relief from the heat of the North Indian plains. The average temperature in Pelling in May ranges from a high of highest 20.2 degrees Celsius to a low of 12.3 degrees Celsius. Precipitation or rainfall is around 21.2 inches. The weather is fairly cool, with a bit of humidity but highly enjoyable.
Pelling is famous for magnificent and clear views of the towering, snow-capped Kanchenjunga range, which is the third highest peak in the world.
The beautiful Rimbi River flows at a distance of 12 km away from Pelling adjacent to Darap Village, which lies on the way between Pelling and Yuksom. The small hydro-electric power plant on its course also offers a tourist attraction. The enigmatic Sewaro Rock Garden with its beautiful rock formations lies on the banks of Rimbi River close to the Rimbi Waterfall and both are not to be missed while visiting the beauty of the mountain river.
The New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station is the closest railhead to Pelling. It is located at a distance of 152 km from Pelling. The NJP station connects all major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata to North India. Taxis, private/shared, are conveniently available for hire just outside the railway station.
Distance Between Siliguri to Pelling is 132 kms. Distance between Siliguri to Pelling by Flight is 68 kms. Travel Time from Siliguri to Pelling by Road is 3.29 hrs. The closest airport to Pelling or Siliguri is the Bagdogra Airport.
Rinchenpong Monastery is situated above the twin villages of Rinchenpong and Kaluk in West Sikkim, at a height of over 1,700 m in the north-eastern state of Sikkim, India. This eighteenth century monastery is a popular tourist attraction of West Sikkim.
The ruins at Rabdentse exhibit wall stumps which also have a decorative yellow entrance gate, close to the Pelling-Geyshing Road. There is a stone throne which comprises three standing stones, called Namphogang. A short trek of 15 min takes you through a forested cover to reach the site of ruins.
History says when the Rabdentse Palace was repeatedly attacked by the Nepal royal army, Tshudpud Namgyal, in 1793, the then Chogyal of Sikkim, decided to shift the capital from Rabdenste to Tumlong. Tumlong remained the capital of Sikkim till 1894, when Chogyal Thutob Namgyal shifted his capital to Gangtok.
