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Sightseeing
Highlights
Lachung Gompha or Lachung
Monastery is the
center of all religious and cultural activity in the village. Built in 1880,
the Monastery has two huge prayer wheels and original murals in bright colors
on one of the walls.
You can also enjoy a splendid view of the mountains and
Lachung Gompha from Katao road, just across the Yumthang River.
Mt. Katao just 30 km. away is a popular
destination but only open for Indian tourists. In close proximity is the
popular Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary,
where you can take a pleasant hike.
Other activities
Apart from the
Monastery, you can visit the local handicraft center, where the local girls
weave beautiful carpets. Try your hand at fishing and just enjoy the idyllic
beauty of the place.
During the month of
January, the monks from the monastery display ‘Chaam’ or a masked traditional
dance with religious significance, marking the end of the eleventh Tibetan
month.
Lachung or ‘small mountain’ is a rural town
located at an altitude of 9,600 ft in the Northern district of Sikkim. The
scenic village is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Lachen and Lachung,
main tributaries of the River Teesta. Just 125 km away from Gangtok, there is a
permanent army base in Lachung and before 1950, it was a prominent trading
center between Sikkim and Tibet.
The small town has been able to preserve its natural beauty, traditions and
culture while keeping pace with modernization.The splendor of Lachung
captivated British explorer, John D. Hooker and he described it as the ‘most
picterisque village of Sikkim’ that rightly summed up the natural beauty,
virgin green forests, winter snow and awe inspiring mountains. Beautiful fast
flowing waterfalls, snow capped mountains and the serene peaceful ambience in
the hamlets, makes it a perfect holiday destination.
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