Officially unveiled in November 2018, this huge, four-armed statue of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) sits around 500m beyond the attractive little Sanghak Choeling Monastery, via a newly asphalted lane that climbs some very steep hairpin bends from Upper Pelling (walking takes around 45 minutes). In front of the statue is a loop of vertigo-inducing raised glass walkways, from which around 170 steps lead to the base of the statue's plinth.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
17.99 MILES
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, known affectionately as the toy train, made its first journey along its precipice-topping, 2ft-wide tracks in 1881 and…
Rumtek Gompa
21.02 MILES
Rumtek is Sikkim's most spiritually significant monastery complex. It's essentially a self-contained village with a colourful main prayer hall that was…
Pemayangtse Gompa
2.06 MILES
One of Sikkim’s oldest and most significant Nyingmapa monasteries, Pemayangtse (literally ‘Perfect Sublime Lotus’) is 500m off the Geyzing road – turn…
Tiger Hill
21.17 MILES
To watch the dawn light break over a spectacular 250km stretch of Himalayan horizon, including Everest (8848m), Khangchendzonga (8598m) and two more of…
Nearby Sikkim attractions
1. Sanghak Choeling Gompa
0.18 MILES
Near the foot of the vast new Chenrezig Statue, this monastery complex is a contrastingly calm, meditative place with fabulous views, with seven stone…
2. Helipad
0.75 MILES
Just 10 minutes' stroll from Upper Pelling's Zero Point junction, the helipad is about the best viewpoint around, with almost 360-degree views.
3. Pemayangtse Gompa
2.06 MILES
One of Sikkim’s oldest and most significant Nyingmapa monasteries, Pemayangtse (literally ‘Perfect Sublime Lotus’) is 500m off the Geyzing road – turn…
4. Rabdentse
2.28 MILES
A few partially rebuilt wall stubs are all that remain of the palace complex at Rabdentse, which was Sikkim's royal capital from 1670 until it was sacked…
5. Phamrong Falls
4.35 MILES
The most dramatic of four waterfalls between Yuksom and Tashiding, the Phamrong's powerful flow fires itself through a high, green notch then crashes down…
6. Tashi Tenka
4.53 MILES
When Yuksom was Sikkim’s capital, a royal palace complex known as Tashi Tenka sat on a ridge to the south of town. Essentially nothing remains, but the…
7. Gurung Monastery
4.76 MILES
Well-proportioned and with a distinctively golden-russet-coloured facade, this new gompa sits on the nose of the Rinchenpong ridge, adding a distinctive…
8. Dubdi Gompa
4.89 MILES
Said to be Sikkim’s oldest still-functioning monastery, this compact, peaceful gompa is beautifully set in tended gardens on the ridge above Yuksom, with…