North Sikkim is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its capital is Mangan. It is the largest of the four districts of Sikkim.
A land where heaven touches the earth, the ambiance creates mystery, the landscape is dominated by the elements, silence can be heard, vision tends to travel beyond the horizon, the soul starts meditating unknowingly, the mind gets rejuvenated; a land that makes you bow.
Most of the people of the state reside near Mangan, the district headquarters which is about 2,000 feet above sea level. Further north the elevation increases with the vegetation turning from temperate to alpine to tundra. Temperatures range from about 25° to below -40° in the extreme high reaches where the altitude is in excess of 6,000 metres.
Kanchenjanga is the highest peak at over 8,000 m, straddling its eastern border with Nepal.
The people are mainly of Nepali descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha and Bhutia communities. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in the district. It also has one of the lowest populated regions of the state.
The region has many power projects and enjoys almost uninterrupted electricity. Roads however, are in a poor condition owing to the frequent landslides.
Most of North Sikkim is restricted to travelers, and permits are required to visit these areas. The region shares a sensitive border with the People's Republic of China.
Note:Almost the entire zone of North Sikkim comes under the restricted territory, foreigner's visit beyond Thangu is prohibited. Tourism in the region is at a nascent stage and guests may not get the same level of service in North-Sikkim as they would in other parts of the region.
Mangan is the capital of North Sikkim, a small town with flower patches, and the water wheels strung with bells set in exquisite miniature gardens more than compensate for the primitiveness of the region. It is located at an altitude of 3950 ft above sea level. It is 65 km far away from Gangtok, capital of Sikkim.
As your journey starts from North Sikkim, which is an unexplored paradise and winding roads, ringed with high-altitude mountains, Lachung, is a quaint tourist-interested village where time seems to slow down between blooming apple orchids and traditional wooden homes. The word Lachung means small pass. This small town used to be a trading post between Tibet and Sikkim but is now closed.
The region is famous for the Phensong and Phodong Monastery, the latter being considered one of the six main monasteries of Sikkim.
The place is also known as “Flowers of Valley”, not far from Lachung town. During the spring season, this valley is turned into a painter’s canvas with vibrant colors as rhododendrons in the rugged terrain, framed by the majestic peaks.
This place is located in the Great Himalayas in the Mangan District and is situated at an altitude of 17,800 ft. This breath-away destination in Sikkim has sea green lake, cuddled by snow-capped mountains and devoted to the Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus filling the visitors in the spiritual atmosphere.
A place with a sacred connection with the earth and sky. This Cascading waterfall down the lush green hills leaves an incredible mark on every soul. It’s a popular destination in North Sikkim, which is far away 32 KM from the Gangtok highway.
Situated on an altitude of 4800 ft kabi Longstok, is the place where Sikkimese history began in the 13th century. It was here that the treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepcha chieftain, Tetong Tek and the Tibetan chief Khye Burnsa was sworn and signed. The spot where the treaty was signed is marked by a memorial stone and is seen on the left side of the road while traveling from Gangtok to Mangan. It is only 20 kms away from Gangtok.
Phodong Monastery is one of the major monasteries of North Sikkim belonging to the Kargyupa Sect(karmapa). The monastry was built by the Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal sometime in the first quarter of the eighteenth century. It is situated on altitude of 4500 ft and only 39 km away from Gangtok. Beautiful moral paintings adorn the walls of this monastery. The main annual Puja (worship) is performed on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar when the religious Chaams or the dances are also performed.
Situated at an altitude of over 4000ft Singhik, offers a picturesque view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, and its neighboring peaks. Half an hour uphill walk takes you to an ancient monastery. Chungthang It is a small town situated at the confluence of Lachen & Lachung River.
Straddling at the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers lies Chungthang, located on the way to Yumthang. It is the surrounded by the high mountains that seem to touch in sky. According to legend Chungthang was the meeting place of Guru Rimpoche & Lepcha Chieftain Thekung Tek. It was here from where the word Demazong originated according to the prophecy of Guru Rimpoche.
Situated at an altitude of 8838 ft and 122 km away from Gangtok, Lachen stands on a grassy and bushy flat land separated by deep gorges of Lachen Chu from where rises the pine clad mountains with their snowy peaks and black cliffs. It is also a base for the Green Lake trek most of the trekking and mountaineering activities.
Other tourist interested places in North Sikkim are Chungthang, Lachung, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Thangu, and Chopta Valley.
