MG Marg

MG Marg is where Gangtok comes out to play each evening: a car-free, kilometre-long promenade lined with cafes and handicraft shops in matching butter-yellow colonial-era facades. It's one of India's designated no-honking zones, a small detail that makes a real difference to how the street feels: unhurried, sociable, lit by wrought-iron lamps against a backdrop of darkening hills. Locals and travellers share the same benches here, which is part of what makes it feel like the actual heart of town rather than just a shopping strip.

The first thing one notices when on this approximately 1 km stretch of road is the cleanliness. There are boards everywhere which say "Welcome to M.G. Marg, Spit, and Litter Free Zone". The entire area is free of smoke, litter, and vehicular traffic. It's a pedestrian-only zone, and vehicles are not allowed. The buildings on both sides of MG Road in Gangtok are painted green in line with the government's green initiative. This place is also famous for the Gangtok Food and Culture Festival which is an extravaganza held in December every year and thronged by connoisseurs from all over. 

The Statue of Unity overlooks MG Road which comprises of the figures of Bhutia Chieftain Khye Bumsa, the Lepcha leader Thetong Tek and his wife Ngo Kong ngol. This statue promotes peace, love, and harmony. About midway is an imposing statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Other eye-catching additions are the Victorian lamps and various benches along the path. Gangtok's MG Road looks stunning after dark when the lights are lit making it a much-thronged place in this quaint hill town.