Mangan district · Experiences
Culture in North Sikkim
Palaces, institutes, bazaars and the people who keep them
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Walks through Sikkim's history with people who live it: the Chogyal era, the old trade towns and the communities behind each valley. 16 experiences below, each with its time, cost and the best hour to go.
Culture
In Hooker's footsteps up the Lachen valley
In 1849 the botanist Joseph Hooker walked up this valley past Thangu towards the Tibetan passes, describing the herders, meadows and plants …
Culture
Understanding the 2023 Teesta flood
At Chungthang you can see where the October 2023 glacial lake outburst destroyed the Teesta Stage III dam. A short, sober stop …
Culture
Standing at the blood-brotherhood stones
Spend half an hour among the stone pillars and statues at Kabi Lungchok, where Sikkim's histories place the oath between the Lepcha …
Culture
Telling the oath story to children
A simple way to bring Sikkim's founding story to life for children: read a short summary in the car, stand at the …
Culture
Gangtok to Phodong day loop by car
Hire a small car for a day loop up the North Sikkim Highway: Tashi View Point, Kabi Lungchok, the Seven Sisters Waterfall, …
Culture
Looking at Labrang's statues, texts and murals
Spend time in Labrang's museum and prayer hall, where Wikipedia records a large collection of Buddha statues, sutras and murals, and a …
Culture
Two monasteries in one morning
Visit Phodong Monastery, a Karma Kagyu house credited to 1740, and Labrang, a Nyingma monastery built 1826 to 1843, in one outing. …
Culture
The hermit of Lachen and Alexandra David-Néel
Hear the story of the French scholar who studied with the Lachen Gomchen from 1912, lived in a cave hermitage above the …
Culture
Yaks, herders and the high pastures
North of Lachen, herders keep yak and sheep on the pastures of Thangu, Chopta, Lashar and Lhonak. Learn from a Lachenpa host …
Culture
Orchards and lanes of old Lachung
Walk the lanes between old wooden houses, apple orchards and potato fields with a local guide, and see how a high village …
Culture
A slow stop in Mangan bazaar
Use your Mangan stop well: collect a Dzongu permit, draw cash, buy local produce and eat lunch in the bazaar of the …
Culture
A December day at the Phodong chaam
Watch the annual chaam at Phodong Monastery on the 28th and 29th days of the 10th Tibetan month, usually in December. Monks …
Culture
On Hooker's trail: rhododendrons of Sikkim
In 1849 Joseph Hooker collected rhododendrons in this valley that changed British gardening. Learn to recognise a few species on the drive …
Culture
Reading Dzongu from the Singhik viewpoint
Use the Singhik viewpoint to read the Lepcha reserve of Dzongu laid out across the Teesta: villages, roads, cardamom forest and the …
Culture
The Dokpa and the yak race of Lashar
Thangu is the doorway to the pastures of the Dokpa, herders of the high valleys north of Lachen, who still keep yak …
Culture
Visiting Tholung with respect
Tholung is one of Sikkim's most sacred monasteries, and its treasures belong to the whole Buddhist community. Learn what to expect when …
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