Name: Gangtok
Rating: 4.3

Mangan, Gangtok Overview

The town of Mangan, serving as the capital of the northern part of Sikkim, is a major tourist location and travellers mostly use this town as a base station from where they commence treks and tours to other parts of this district. Mangan is one of the most important and least populated towns in Sikkim. Not only is it the entry point to North Sikkim, but it is also developing into a tourist hotspot because of the breathtaking view of the Kanchenjunga range. Mangan has slowly developed as a sanctuary for nature lovers, travellers and soul seekers as it is surrounded by many white peaks, sheer and sparkling streams and flowering shrubs.

Mangan is an attractive place with good sightseeing spots and is a transit point to other destinations of the region. A three-day music festival is organised here in December every year where bands from the region, as well as from the other Northeast states, perform for a huge crowd. Mountains, music and cold weather make it a very exciting event. Other attractions of Mangan include an exhibition cum sale of local handicrafts, a presentation of traditional cultural songs and dances and a food festival.

Must Know Before You Visit Mangan

Tips : 1. It is best to always travel with a guide. Since the vegetation is fragile, it is best to walk on designated trails.
2. Do not litter and deposit garbage at selected places. Keep all kinds of pollutants away from streams and lakes.
3. The local cuisine of Mangan includes Gya Thuk or Thukpam, Phagshapa, Momo, Ningro along with Churpi, Sael Roti and Gundruk. These are dishes one must try while visiting Mangan. Chaang is the popular drink of the place.

Mangan Highlights

1. Singhik

Located 1560 m above sea level, lies a tiny settlement on a hill that offers a breathtaking view of Mt Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu. This is Singhik, which is located 4 km from Mangan. With ice-capped m (Read More)ountains watchable from a close range, this settlement is surrounded by lush green hills with river ridges along with the converging point of River Teesta and River Kanaka at the foothills, it is ideal for all adventure lovers, who love to trek.

2. Labrang Monastery

Exuding a charm of ancient structure, this place is a museum which holds traditional statues, murals, language books and music. The walls of the museum are painted white, and the roofs of the museum a (Read More)re gilded in a mix of The Tibetan and Indian style of architecture. Currently, it contains 6 institutes of learning, a gilded stupa, 18 halls, a sutra debate area which houses 60,000 sutras. Located in close proximity with Mangan, it is an attractive place to visit for everyone who values ancient artefacts and are interested in knowing more of the traditional culture of the statues and murals.

3. Sirijonga Yuma Mangheem

Built in 1983, Sirijonga Yuma Mangheem is a clone representative of The ancient Sirijunga Yuma Margheem of Maryam in West Bengal. Trapped amidst peaceful nature, the building is situated in such a way (Read More) that it offers a beautiful view of the mighty mountains that are obstructed by white clouds, lush greenery and rivers flowing in full velocity.

4. Rong Lungten Lee

Located in a charming destination, Nam Prik Dang, Rong Lungten Lee is a close resemblance of The Lepcha Traditional House that has been converted into a museum. Sited at the confluence of Rivers Teest (Read More)a and Kanaka, Rong Lungten Lee is famous for its location in a calm environment, varieties of flora and fauna and the annual Sikkim festival Namsoong. There are three rooms in Rong Lungten Lee, and each room displays various artefacts of different tribes of Sikkim heritage that are a souvenir of the past.

Best Time to Visit Mangan

The climate in Mangan is temperate as this place lies at a lower altitude as compared to other places in Sikkim. The summer months are April, May, June and July. The monsoon season commences during mid July, and temperatures start falling from that time. It is best to avoid the monsoons to visit the town. Winters and especially early winters are a good time to visit this place. However, be generous when you pack woollens.

Getting Around Mangan Village

Shared taxis are most commonly used to travel within Mangan. There is an effective bus service also available inside the town.

How to Reach Mangan

From Gangtok, one can always take a private taxi, car, bus or jeep that goes directly to Mangan. The time taken from Gangtok does not exceed more than 2 hours and the ride is also very smooth.