Chungthang

Chungthang marks a genuine crossroads: the point at 1,790 metres where the Lachen and Lachung rivers meet to form the Teesta, and the last town before the road splits toward those two valleys. It's a working frontier town as much as a scenic one, home to a major Indian Army base given its position close to the border, but for travellers it's simply the last proper stop before North Sikkim's high-altitude landscapes take over.

Chungthang is home to the rock that bears the handprints and footprints of Padmasambhava. Another interesting aspect of the town is a small patch of land where paddy grows every year and it is believed to have been blessed by Guru Padmasambhava himself who sprinkled the grain on the spot. It is also believed that Guru Nanak Dev ji visited Chungthang during his trip to China and Tibet. There is a tree in this town which is supposed to be grown at the place where Guru Nanak Dev placed his stick. The stunning Chungthang Valley makes for a good, serene and offbeat halt before one takes off for the alpine regions that are Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang Valley. Not only is the town holy and sacred, but also home to a wide range of interesting flora and fauna that captivates a lot of wildlife and nature photographers to visit it.