Culture · Sanga Choeling Monastery
Walk the glass Skywalk beside Chenrezig
Step out on the glass-floored Skywalk facing the 137-foot Chenrezig statue, opened in 2018, one of West Sikkim's newest landmarks and an easy stop for families.
Photo: Mandira Bhoumik · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Skywalk is a glass-floored walkway projecting from the hillside below Sanga Choeling, facing a 137-foot statue of Chenrezig, the bodhisattva of compassion known in India as Avalokiteshvara. Both opened in November 2018. Steps lead from the car park up to the statue's base, where there are prayer wheels and a viewing terrace.
Children love the glass floor; people with a fear of heights may prefer the terrace. On clear days the view runs over Pelling and the Rangeet valley. Shoe covers or rules on footwear may apply on the glass.
Come soon after opening to avoid the midday tour groups, and combine it with the climb to Sanga Choeling for a contrast between the new monument and the 17th-century monastery above.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
When did the Pelling Skywalk open?
The Skywalk and the 137-foot Chenrezig statue opened in November 2018, according to Wikipedia's article on Pelling. They are now among the most visited sights in town, so arrive early, especially in October, May and holiday weeks.
What are the Pelling Skywalk timings?
It usually opens in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, with possible closure in bad weather or for maintenance. Timings and fees change, so check current status before you travel. Your hotel or driver will know the current hours.
Is the Pelling Skywalk scary?
The glass floor gives a sense of height but is solid and guarded by railings. Most children enjoy it. If you are uneasy with heights, walk along the edges or watch from the terrace beside the statue, which gives the same view without the glass.
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