Name: Gangtok
Rating: 4.3

MG Road, Gangtok Overview

MG Road is the heart of Gangtok and its most happening place. It is the central shopping hub of this beautiful state capital with various shops, restaurants, and hotels lined up along both sides. MG Road is an open mall or boulevard square which is widely regarded to be the town centre and is the best shopping destination for tourists. This is a great place to take a leisurely stroll or just sit on the benches and revel in the eclectic ambience.

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.

MG Road Shopping

Being the main shopping hub, MG Road has a lot to offer for the shopping bug in you. From everything Tibetan to traditional Sikkimese teacups, you'll be spoilt for choice. The Thangkas and unique Choksee table designs in Tibetan style are quite the rage. There are a large number of shops selling garments, shoes, souvenirs, trinkets, etc. One of the major draws while shopping at MG Road in Gangtok is the Sikkimese Cups. These cups come in different colours and have unique and attractive traditional Sikkimese designs printed on them.

Restaurants and Bars at MG Road

While there are many restaurants and eateries at MG Road, the most popular ones are The Roll House (known for the palatable rolls of different kinds), Baker's Cafe (known for its pastry, coffee, momos and patties), PUB25, Parivar (a great place for having pure vegetarian food) and Rasoi. Agrawals Food is an amazing place for having mouth-watering golgappas along with a milkshake or softy ice cream.

Gangtok Food and Culture Festival

The Gangtok Annual Food and Culture Festival, organised by the Sikkim Tourism Department, is held every year in December. This festival promotes the vibrant culture and the delectable food of Gangtok, where the traditional cuisine is presented along, and music and dance performances are held to entrance the visitors coming from far and wide.

Eclectic food stalls are set up in the Titanic Park at MG Road beckoning the foodies. A vast setup is erected opposite the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department where the cultural shows take place. The first day of the extravaganza is lit up with a carnival which moves all across the town.

Tips For Visiting MG Road

1. Smoking is not allowed at MG Road in Gangtok. You can be fined if caught smoking.
2. Since no vehicles are allowed here, it is safe to move around with children.

How To Reach MG Road, Gangtok

The NE Taxi Service offers taxi services just like Uber and Ola and is a good option. However, the cab will drop you a little away from the main market as no vehicles are allowed on MG Road.