Things to do in Gangtok
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Himalayan Zoological Park
From the gompa, follow the access road north-east around the base of an unmissable tele-communications tower. An initially obvious path scrambles up in around 15 minutes to Ganesh Tok viewpoint. Festooned in colourful prayer flags, Ganesh Tok offers superb city views and its minicafe serves hot teas. Across the road, a lane leads into the Himalayan Zoological Park. Red pandas, Himalayan bears and snow leopards roam around in extensive wooded enclosures so large that you’ll really value a car to shuttle between them.
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Namgyal Institute of Tibetology
Housed in traditionally styled Tibetan architecture, this unique institute was established in 1958 to promote research into Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture. It contains one of the world’s largest collections of Buddhist books and manuscripts, plus statuettes, thangkas (Tibetan cloth paintings) and sacred objects, such as a kapali (sacred bowl made from a human skull) and human thighbone trumpets. There are plenty of useful explanatory captions.
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Tangerine
Descend five floors for sublime cuisine, tasty Western snacks or cocktails in the brilliant Japanese-style floor-cushioned bar area. Try the stuffed-tomato curry or sample Sikkimese specialities like sochhya (nettle stew). Stylishly relaxed decor with a waiter/origami-ist who turns napkins into birds.
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Flower Exhibition Centre
When the orchids bloom (March) it’s worth peeping inside the Flower Exhibition Centre, a modestly sized tropical greenhouse full of exotic plants.
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Rachna Bookshop
Gangtok’s best-stocked and most convivial bookshop. Occasional film (Small Town Film Club) and music events are held on the upstairs terrace.
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Lounge 31a
Swooping glass architecture offers Zen aesthetics and light-suffused sunset views from four storeys high, above the Sikkim State Bank.
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Roll House
In an alley just off MG Marg this hole-in-the-wall serves delicious kati rolls that upstage even the Kolkata originals.
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Bakers Cafe
The perfect breakfast escape, this cosy Western-style cafe has great coffee (Rs. 35), scrunchy pastries and squidgy cakes.
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Orthodox
Tables are squished together as tightly as lovers in this cosy bar. An intrusive ultraviolet light annoys at night but it’s a bar for companionable beers with friends (or lovers). Solve the picture puzzles on the wall before too many beers. Meals Rs. 60 to Rs. 170, early-morning breakfasts until 10am.
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Enchey Gompa
Approached through gently rustling conifers high above Gangtok, this monastery, dating back to 1909, is Gangtok’s most attractive, with some decent murals and statues of Tantric deities. It comes alive for the colourful Detor Chaam (December/January) masked dances.
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Handicrafts & Handloom Emporium
Teaches traditional crafts to local students and sells their produce, which make good gifts – including purses (Rs. 75), handwoven carpets (from Rs. 4200), thangkas (Rs. 125 to Rs. 6800) and traditional women’s dresses (Rs. 2000).
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Parivar Restaurant
Eat here for good-value South Indian vegetarian food; try the various masala dosas for breakfast or the all-inclusive thali for Rs. 70. The restaurant’s downstairs from the HDFC Bank.
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Tourist Amenity
Beside Enchey Gompa, the misleadingly named Tourist Amenity is a cheap, basic teahouse serving great veg momos for a giveaway Rs 12 including complimentary soup.
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Altitude Tours & Travels
For high-altitude treks, visits to Tsomgo Lake or tours to Northern Sikkim you'll need a travel agency. We've been very happy with Altitude Tours & Travels.
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Indulge
Big windows overlooking MG Marg add to the airiness of this bar-cafe (snacks Rs. 40 to Rs. 120) with its white decor and curvy designs.
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Damovar Ropeway
Damovar Ropeway is a cable car running from just below the Tashi Ling offices on the ridge. Views are stupendous.
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The Square
This stylish little restaurant-bar has big view windows that are great for a cosy beer, but the pseudo-Thai food is overpriced.
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Hotel Golden Pagoda
The licensed restaurant on the top floor of this midrange hotel serves tasty Indian vegetarian food at reasonable prices.
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Sikkim Tourism
For eagle-eye mountain views, Sikkim Tourism arranges scenic helicopter flights. Book at least three days ahead.
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Metroprints
A little photocopy stall selling the excellent artist's-view map-guide, Gangtok, in a Nutshell (around Rs50).
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Rasoi (Blue Sheep) Restaurant
Still looking brand new, this well-patronised family restaurant serves good food, hot and fast. No booze.
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Oberoi’s
Momos (Tibetan dumplings) , chow mein, sandwiches, Indian snacks and pizzas.
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Thalee
Thalee , next to the Gandhi statue, serves good, cheap South Indian vegetarian food.
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Golden Tips
An inviting tea showroom with a wide selection of blends to buy and taste.
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