PELLING TOURISM | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO PELLING

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About Pelling

Country: India | State: Sikkim

#2 of 6 Places to visit in Sikkim | #81 of 100 Places to visit in India

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Pelling: Guwahati (551 Kms), Kolkata (682 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Pelling: February to May & September to December

Peak Season: March to May

At a distance of 7 km from Gyalshing, 45 km from Ravangla, 58 km from Namchi, 69 km from Darjeeling, 88 km from Kalimpong, 113 km from Gangtok, 127 km from Siliguri, 447 km from Darbhanga, 551 km from Guwahati and 682 km from Kolkata, Pelling is a wonderful hill station located in the West Sikkim district of north Indian state of Sikkim. Situated at an altitude of 6,800 feet, Pelling is the second biggest tourist destination in Sikkim after Gangtok.

The name Pelling means 'the seat of the religious body' formed by Pema Linga who was a discoverer of ancient Tibetan texts and also a treasure revealer. Pelling was initially a land filled with jungle which was home to a lot of wildlife. The area developed into a full-fledged village after the construction of two Buddhist monasteries Pemayangtse and Sangacholing. Pelling offers good view of entire Kanchenjunga mountain range including Koktang, Kumbhakaran (Jannu), Rathong, Kabru, Kabru Dome, Kanchenjunga, Pandim, and Siniolchu.

Pelling is mostly known for its mesmerizing views of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga range, several historical sites and monasteries. Kanchenjunga Waterfalls, Pemayangtse Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, Singshore Bridge, Sanga Choeling Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Rimbi Falls and Changey Waterfalls are the top places to visit in Pelling. In the months of winter, the town is covered in a blanket of snow and is a perfect holiday destination for all nature lovers.

Pelling's serene environment and picturesque setting is perfect for nature walks and small hikes. It acts as the base camp for some world famous treks such as the one from Yuksom to Dzongri. Village tourism is being largely promoted in Pelling by the Sikkim Tourism Department due to the natural and cultural resources that the town houses. It is also a favorite spot for the trekkers to setup their base before their trek expeditions into the higher altitudes.

Khangchendzonga Festival is the biggest festival celebrated every year in Pelling with loads of activities like white water rafting, kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, sightseeing, bird watching and traditional sports. This festival also exhibits flowers, traditional crafts, ethnic food and costume stalls. Other important festivals in the region are Losar, Guru Dragmar festival, Khecheopalri Fair, Tashiding Bhumchu Fair and Sikkimese Lossong Festival.

The nearest airport to Pelling is Bagdogra International Airport, Siliguri which is about 139 km from Pelling. It is well connected by flights with Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. One can reach Pelling by hiring a cab from the airport or board a shared taxi from Siliguri. New Jalpaiguri is the nearest rail head and has well connected trains from Patna, New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Howrah, Bangalore, Dibrugarh, Puri, Gaya, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Amritsar, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cochin and Agartala. Pelling is well connected to Gangtok, Siliguri and Darjeeling by road and can be easily reached by state transport buses, private cabs and self-driven cars.

The Darap Eco-Tourism Committee offers several homestay options for tourists. This will not only save you heaps of money but will also allow you to understand the culture and custom of the Sikkimese people. However there are several budget and luxury hotels in the town that suit most types of tourist budgets. Getting around in Pelling is mostly done on foot as heavy vehicles are not much welcome in this quaint village town.

The weather of Pelling is generally pleasant throughout the year but the best time to visit Pelling is from mid-February to May and from September to December.

Other Info

Internet Availability: Poor

STD Code: 03595

Languages Spoken: Nepali, English, Hindi, Bhutia or Sikkimese, and

Major Festivals: Khangchendzonga Festival, Losar, Khecheopalri Fair & Tashiding Bhumchu Fair

Notes/Tips:
Foreign nationals require Restricted Area Permit (RAP) or Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit any part of Sikkim including Gangtok and Pelling.

How to Reach Pelling

By Air

Nearest Airport: Siliguri - Bagdogra Airport (139 Kms)

Direct Flights to Siliguri

By Train

Nearest Train Station: New Jalpaiguri Junction, Siliguri (126 Kms)

Direct Trains to Siliguri

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Pelling Bus Stand (0 Kms)

Direct Buses to Pelling

Distance Chart

Distance Chart & Driving Directions to Pelling

How to Reach Pelling - Full Details

Top 10 Places to Visit in Pelling

Kanchenjunga Waterfalls

#1 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 10 km from Yuksom and 24 km from Pelling, Kanchenjunga Waterfalls is a stunning waterfall situated in the beautiful hill town of Pelling, Sikkim. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Sikkim and among the prime Pelling Tourist Places.

Kanchenjunga Falls is a perennial waterfall situated around an hour drive from Pelling towards Yuksom. It is believed that the pristine waterfall originates high up in the glaciers of Mount Kanchenjunga, the 3rd highest peak in the world. It gushes down from a height of 100 feet into a pool. Kanchenjunga falls was not known to people and remained untouched till the 90s. It only came into the limelight, when a local tour operator named Topjor Bhutia accidentally discovered it. Today this spot become one of the leading tourist spots in West Sikkim.

Known for its splendid beauty and glory, the waterfalls serves as a perfect picnic spot with family and friends. Situated at a sharp curve on the road side, tourists need to climb around .....

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Pemayangtse Monastery

#2 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 2 km from Upper Pelling Football Ground, Pemayangtse Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located at Pelling in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. Also known as Pelling Monastery, it is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim and among the most famous places to visit in Pelling.

Situated at an altitude of 2100 m, Pemayangtse Monastery was founded by Lama Lhatsun Chempo in 1705 CE. Initially the monastery was built very small in size and was enlarged during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal who was considered as Lhatsun Chempo's third reincarnate, Jigme Pawo. The monastery follows the Nyingma Order of Tibetan Buddhism and controls all other monasteries of that Order in Sikkim.The monks of this monastery are normally chosen from the Bhutias of Sikkim.

The word Pemayangtse means 'perfect sublime lotus' and it is believed to symbolize one of the four plexus of the human body. The monastery was built for 'pure monks' (ta-tshang) meaning 'monks of .....

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Rabdentse Ruins

#3 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 2 km from Upper Pelling- Football Ground, Rabdentse is an archeological site situated near Pemayangtse Monastery in Pelling. It is one of the best historical places in Sikkim and among the must visit Pelling Tourist Places.

Founded by the 2nd Chogyal of Sikkim Tensung Namgyal in the year 1670 AD, Rabdentse was the second capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim from 1670 to 1793 CE, the first one being Yuksom. This is the place where Tensung Namgyal married three wives, first from Tibet, second from Bhutan and Yo Hang of Limbuwana eastern Nepal. Later, the city was almost completely destroyed by the Nepalese Army in the 18th century and only the ruins of the palace and the chortens are seen here now. Today, Rabdentse has been declared a monument of national importance by Archaeological Survey of India and undertaking the restoration works.

Surrounded by dense forest, the place is a must see for the history enthusiasts. .....

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Khecheopalri Lake

#4 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 25 km from Pelling, Khecheopalri Lake is a sacred lake situated at Khecheopalri near Pelling town of Sikkim. Also known as Wishing Lake, it is one of the beautiful lakes in Sikkim and among the must visit tourist places in Pelling.

Situated at an altitude of 6000 feet, the Khecheopalri Lake is a sacred place of worship for Buddhists as well as for the Hindus. The lake is an integral part of the much revered valley of 'Demazong' meaning valley of rice. The Khecheopalri Lake is also part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit involving the Yuksom, the Dubdi Monastery in Yuksom, Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the Tashiding Monastery.

The lake is originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri which means the heaven of Lord Padmasambhava. As per Nesol text, the lake was recognized as the abode of Tshomen Gyalmo, the chief protecting nymph of dharma as blessed by goddess Tara. Native people believe that the shape of the lake .....

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Rimbi Waterfalls

#5 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 5 km from Darap Village and 12 km from Pelling, Rimbi Waterfalls is a scenic waterfall near Pelling. Situated near Darap Village, it is one of the famous waterfalls in Pelling and among the best places of sightseeing in Pelling.

On the way to Khecheopalri Lake and Yuksam, Rimbi waterfall is formed over Rimbi River. During summer, the waterfall looks spectacular which attracts many tourists. Located close to the waterfall is one of the oldest hydro power stations in Sikkim. Established in the early 70's, this power station is the source of energy for most of the villa towns of West Sikkim including Gayzing, Tigjuck and Pelling.

The waterfall turns into Rimbi River, which is frequented by locals and tourists for various recreational activities like swimming and fishing. Whether you go fishing or not, do try a local preparation of Assala - a variety of fish found only here. It is also the best place to spend some memorable moments with your loved ones amidst .....

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Sanga Choeling Monastery

#6 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 1.5 km from Upper Pelling- Football Ground, Sanga Choeling Monastery or Sange Choeling Monastery is a Buddhist Monastery situated in Pelling town of Sikkim. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim and among the best Places to visit in Pelling.

Sanga Choeling Monastery, means the place of secret spells, was built in 1697 CE by Lama Lhatsun Chempo. Located atop a high ridge, this is extremely acclaimed among the followers of the Nyingmapa sect of the ancient school of Tibetan Buddhism. In ancient times, Guhyamantra i.e. secret mantras were taught here. The monastery only houses male monks and belongs to the Nyingma sector. Entry into the inner sanctum of Sanga Choeling Monastery is strictly restricted to the Bhutia and Lepcha communities.

Built in a Tibetan style of architecture, the monastery was affected by fire several times and was rebuilt, but it still preserves various ancient paintings, accessories and clay statues. Also after Lhatsun's death his .....

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Singshore Bridge

#7 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 21 km from Pelling, Singshore Bridge is a suspension bridge situated between Dentam & Uttarey village near Pelling. At an elevation of 198 m above the ground, it is the highest bridge in Sikkim and the second highest gorge bridge in Asia.

Singshore Bridge, with a height of over 100 m and 240 m in length, is truly an engineering marvel and made it to connecting two gorges. This bridge helps the trekkers to cover a large distance between hills in a short span. The downward view from the bridge is overwhelming with the sight of beautiful waterfalls and breathtaking views of the green hillsides above are pleasing. This engineer's triumph has become a popular attraction in Pelling.

Offering a splendid view of lush hillsides, overwhelming waterfalls and the pristine valley, Singshore Bridge promises a sight to behold. It connects two beautiful villages Dentam and Uttarey, where homestay facilities are also available. For tourists, there is a special restaurant adjacent .....

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Gangtok

#8 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 78 km from Kalimpong, 96 km from Darjeeling, 115 km from Pelling, 117 km from Siliguri, 403 km from Darbhanga, 496 km from Muzzafarpur, 543 km from Guwahati, and 670 km from Kolkata, Gangtok is a fascinating hill town and the capital of north-eastern state of Sikkim, India. Known for its cleanliness and breathtaking beauty, it is one of the popular places to visit in Sikkim and is one of the popular attraction not to miss in your honeymoon trip.

Situated at an altitude of 5410 feet, Gangtok is the largest city and the main business and tourist hub of Sikkim. The name meaning hill-top, Gangtok is known for its scenic beauty and striking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. It is also known as the land of monasteries, as it has maximum number of monasteries in the world. Located right in the middle of the Himalayan range and having mild .....

Distance (From Pelling): 113 Kms
Trip Duration (From Pelling - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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Ravangla

#9 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 26 km from Namchi, 69 km from Gangtok, 71 km from Darjeeling, 74 km from Kalimpong, 89 km from Pelling, 115 km from Siliguri, 122 km from Lachung, 536 km from Guwahati and 667 km from Kolkata, Ravangla or Ravongla is a small hill town situated in South Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim. At an altitude of 7000 feet, Ravangla is one of the picturesque places to visit in Sikkim and among the best places to experience Sikkim Tourism.

Located on a ridge between Maenam and Tendong Hill, Ravangla is a hot tourist destination blessed with spellbinding tea gardens, adventure activities and ancient monasteries. The town and its surrounding areas offer an undisturbed view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Sinialchu, and Mt. Kabru. Ravangla gets a romantic look with the colours and fragrance of the flowers which are in full bloom during April-May. Buddha Park, Rayong Sunrise Viewpoint, Ralang & Borong Hot Springs, Ralang .....

Distance (From Pelling): 45 Kms
Trip Duration (From Pelling - Including Travel): Full Day
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Namchi

#10 of 16 Places to Visit in Pelling

At a distance of 45 km from Darjeeling, 49 km from Kalimpong, 65 km from Pelling, 81 km from Gangtok, 88 km from Siliguri, 512 km from Guwahati and 641 km from Kolkata, Namchi is a small town and also the district headquarters of South Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. Also known as Namtse, it is one of the fast developing tourist destinations in Sikkim and among the popular places to experience Sikkim Tourism.

Literally means ' Top of the Sky', Namchi is situated at an altitude of 5,500 feet and is known for its Buddhist Monasteries and scenic locales. As per the historical facts, once Sikkim was under the reign of the Chogyals. Legends say that one of the Sikkimese princesses, Pende Ongmoo deceived a Sikkimese Chogyal. When people of Sikkim got to know about this, they killed the Sikkimese princess, Pende Ongmoo. The place where the Pend Ongmoo was killed is believed to be the present day Namchi.

Often known as the .....

Distance (From Pelling): 58 Kms
Trip Duration (From Pelling - Including Travel): Full Day
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