A quaint, picturesque village nestled in the North Sikkim area, Lachen has been bestowed with nature’s choicest blessings. Rolling meadows, gushing mountain streams, snow-capped mountain peaks, and pristine lakes are just a few features that make this hamlet look stunning. Popularly referred to as the gateway to heaven, this village leads you to the famous Gurudongmar Lake. It is the highest lake on the planet and visiting is sure a humbling experience for the discerning visitors. Considered as a sacred site, the lake is situated close to the Tibet-China border. One of the major tourist attractions in Sikkim is an icy alpine lake.
Lachung, on the other hand, is a beautiful place located away from cities and reckless modernization. True nature-lovers visit this place to spend some quiet time amidst nature’s beauty and rediscover themselves. This little town is now catching the fancy of visiting tourists who love this unexplored, offbeat destination in Sikkim. Yumthang Valley is a stunningly beautiful and picturesque valley full of vibrantly-colored blooms. Also referred to as the Valley of Flowers, it is a unique location because no tree grows here. Enjoy magnificent peaks of Shundo Tsenpa and Panhunri with the gushing Teesta River flowing between them. It is fun watching grazing yaks in the middle of the blooming rhododendrons and Himalayan flowers. It is also known as Zero Point as there are no civilian roads ahead beyond this point.
Best Time to Visit Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley
Explore this scenic destination to your heart’s content and lose yourself in the beauty of nature so liberally bestowed on this land. The best time to visit Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley is surely between February to June. Plan a trip to this beautiful Destination and avoid winters as, during this time, snow accumulated on the roads makes it difficult to reach. Moreover, it is biting cold making it tough to venture outdoors. It is recommended to avoid the rainy season as roads are slippery. Just a few years back, there were no roads to speak of, and reaching this scenic destination was nothing short of a back-bending exercise. Thus, summers are ideal for planning a visit to this beautiful place.
History of Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley
Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley are relatively unexplored destinations in Sikkim. The place is replete with spectacular beauty that leaves the visitors spellbound. Lake Gurudongmar is considered as a sacred lake. It has a lovely story behind it. Every winter, the lake freezes and could not be used for drinking water. Villagers decided to visit Guru Padmasambhava, a famous Buddhist master in the 8th Century. When the locals pleaded with Guru to find a solution, he placed his hands at one point of the lake. Even in winters, the lake doesn’t freeze in this area and it is considered holy with immense healing powers. When visiting the lake, devotees also visit a small temple dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava located on its banks. Devotees collect sacred water in containers to be carried home.
Places To Visit Near Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley
An amalgamation of spiritualism, nature, adventure, cultural, historical, and serenity is what makes Sikkim truly a divine destination. Lachung and Lachen are picturesque hamlets nestled in the lap of nature. Amazing natural ambiance, undulating landscape, and tough terrains make these places unique. Here are some of the best places to visit near Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley. The trip to this magnificent place will surely make you never want to return from here.
1. Chopta Valley
If you are looking forward to experiencing something truly spectacular, do not miss out on visiting surreal Chopta Valley. This valley is one of the most sought-after and quite a pleasant sightseeing place to explore. The lush snow-capped mountains here are quite awe-inspiring.
2. Chungthang
A perfect place for a history buffet to visit and explore. It is a holy place blessed by Guru Padmasambhanva, located at the confluence of River Lachung and Lachen. You can see people here spending quality time with their loved ones. Furthermore, what is really interesting is the fact that this beautiful city is connected with three more destinations such as Kalimpong, Siliguri, and Darjeeling.
3. Seven Sisters Waterfalls
Located 32 km away from Guwahati on the Guwahati-Lachung Highway, it is a stunning waterfall. Watching seven distinct waterfalls harmoniously cascading down creates a misty ambiance. It is one of the best places to visit in Lachung. Moreover, it is quite an amazing feeling to watch this waterfall in its natural raw form.
4. Thangu
You can visit Thangu, which is a very beautiful lake in Sikkim. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions to visit and explore. This place being close to the Chinese border has a strong military presence as well.
5. Mangan
Mangan is another place which is just the perfect choice for you to shop around. Moreover, this place also boasts the view of Kanchenjunga mountain range which makes this place worth visiting.
6. Gurudongmar Lake
Gurudongmar Lake is another interesting place which you simply cannot afford to miss traveling to. This is one of the best tourist attractions to visit in Lachung. It is located at a very high altitude of around 5,430 m.
7. Tashi View Point
It is a charming place, perfect to watch the brilliance of nature all around. Formidable mountains, deep verdant valleys, and amazing views. On a clear day, one can easily spot snow-clad peaks of mighty Kanchenjunga.
8. Hanuman Tok
This divine place is located in the upper regions of Gangtok. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, it is one of the most scenic shrines in the city. Thousands of devotees visit the temple to seek blessings from the Lord.
9. Rumtek Monastery
A quiet gateway, 23 km from Gangtok, Rumtek Monastery is an ideal place for those looking forward to spending some quiet time. Perched atop a hill commanding magnificent views, it is one of the biggest monasteries in Sikkim.
10. Orchid House
Also referred to as Deorali Orchid Sanctuary, the place is known for some of the rarest and unique species of Orchids blooming in all its glory. The heady, sensuous fragrance of these lovely flowers can be smelled from a far away distance.
How to Reach Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley
Stunning views of snow mountains, verdant valleys, fast-flowing rivers, and a serene ambiance make this place truly divine. Spending some time here in the lap of nature brings a brief respite from the monotony of daily grind and a sense of peace washing over. To reach this awe-inspiring destination, you can use the nearest airport, railway station, and bus services. Here are the details of how to access this destination using diverse modes of transportation.
- Nearest Major City. Siliguri
- Nearest Airport. Pakyong Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. New Jalpaiguri Railway Station
- Distance from Siliguri. 185.6 km
By Air. Deboard at Pakyong Airport in Gangtok and from there you can take a private bus or a taxi to reach Lachung, Lachen, and move on to Yumthang Valley. Right now, the airport is handling limited flights from different parts of the country.
- Distance from Pakyong Airport. 127.9 km
By Train. There is good connectivity of train routes from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley. From New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, tourists can take a cab or board a bus to reach Lachung which is 191 km from the railway station.
- Distance from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. 191 km
By Road. Depending on your geographical location, you can consider traveling to Lachung and Lachen by road as well. The roads are not in a very good condition and given the high altitude of these Destinations, riding in a cab or taxi is slightly tiring.
- Distance From Gangtok. 103.1 km
- Distance From Darjeeling. 169 km
- Distance From Jalpaiguri. 231 km
- Distance From Mangan. 51 km
- Distance From Siliguri. 185.6 km
- Distance From Guwahati. 611.8 km
- Distance From Patna. 643.2 km
- Distance From Delhi. 1643.7 km
- Distance From Mumbai. 2470.3 km
- Distance From Kolkata. 765.7 km
- Distance From Bengaluru. 2701.8 km
Permission To Visit Lachung
Visitors need to take Inner Line Permit to visit Lachung. It is recommended to apply for permission a day in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley
Ques 1- Does Lamchung require a permit to visit?
Ans 1- Visitors need to take Inner Line Permit to visit Lachung. It is recommended to apply for permission a day in advance.
Ques 2. What is the best time to visit Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley?
Ans 2. The best time to visit Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang Valley is between February to June. Plan a trip to this beautiful destination and avoid winters as, during this time, snow accumulated on the roads makes it difficult to reach. Moreover, it is biting cold making it tough to venture outdoors. It is recommended to avoid the rainy season as roads are slippery.
Ques 3. What makes Yumthang Valley famous?
Ans 3. Yumthang Valley is a stunningly beautiful and picturesque valley full of vibrantly-colored blooms. Also referred to as the Valley of Flowers, it is a unique location because no tree grows here.
Ques 4- Why is Lake Gurudongmar considered sacred?
Ans 4- The Lake Gurudongmar is considered as a sacred lake. It has a lovely story behind it. Every winter, the lake freezes and could not be used for drinking water. Villagers decided to visit Guru Padmasambhava, a famous Buddhist master in the 8th Century. When the locals pleaded with Guru to find a solution, he placed his hands at one point of the lake. Even in winters, the lake doesn’t freeze in this area and it is considered holy with immense healing powers.
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