Sikkim

From Darjeeling we headed to Sikkim - former Buddhist kingdom, that belongs to India only since the year 1975. It is the least populated and second-smallest state of India, nestled in Himalayas and having borders with Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. It is remarkable that China has still not recognized Sikkim as part of India, claiming it to be part of Tibet, thus part of China.

Sikkim is a true Indian Shangri-la. This becomes clear already when entering to the state through a beautiful gate, which seams like entering to the fairytale land.

Gate to Sikkim


Sikkim is not a destination of many tourists, not only because of the distance from the main Indian attraction sites, but also because tourists need permits to enter this state. Entering to southern part of Sikkim is free, but permits are a must.
Permits can be applied from Delhi or Darjeeling, but surely the most easiest place (and the least bureaucracy attached) for that is Siliguri.

Sikkim and the rest of India are not only like two different countries, but they are like two different worlds. Already the mentalities of the people and governments are different. Sikkim seams to be the only state in India, where government's Green Mission actually seams to be working.
This state can even give an example to many European countries.

- Nature conservation and forest protection are the primary aspects for the government.
- Plastic bags are forbidden, goods in market are packed into paper if needed.
- Polluting the streams with rubbish is punishable and can lighten the purse a great deal or one can end up in the jail.
- Road sides are full of messages written on the rocks or on the billboards to encourage people to respect the nature.

"Nature is God"

"Chestnut tree - Love Nature"

"Support Green Mission"

"Plant a tree, get shade free"

"Trees conserve water, water gives us life"

"Stop pollution, save Earth from destruction "

Red panda - the state animal of Sikkim

"The water is blue, forest is green,protect the environment, keep it clean"

"Millions of matchsticks from a single tree....A single matchstick destroys millions of trees"



Sikkim is so beautiful, that even roads, waterfalls and moon seam to be ten times more beautiful than in any other place.

As a former Buddhist kingdom, many Buddhist monasteries and statues show themselves in their full glory. People you can find near the sites are little reserved but with a friendly and peaceful attitude.

Since the landscape of Sikkim is wholly mountainous and the roads go all the time up and down, left and right (Kadri also discovered that there exists such thing as road sickness...), then buses are totally out of topic in Sikkim (only in very south).
The main way of transportation is with Indian TATA jeeps.

The first capital of Sikkim was established in the modern village of Yuksom in 17th century, when three Tibetan holy men met in the place accidentally and later on crowned the first king of Sikkim.
That's where the name Yuksom comes from, meaning "meeting point of the three lamas".

4-seat throne for the king of Sikkim and three lamas, ancient tree on the backround, probably have seen a lot...

The second king of Sikkim moved its capital near the place of nowadays tourist hub Pelling. Ruins of the second capital are surrounded by forest on one side and valley on the other side. Beautiful schist-cobblestone path trough the forest leads to the site of peace and calmness.

Rabdentse - ruins of the second capital of Sikkim, reminding the royal aspect of the place

Mt. Kanchenjunga on the border of Sikkim and Nepal

Our last stop in Sikkim was in its capital, Gangtok.
Again we were amazed to find the city so beautifully organized, clean and nothing alike we had seen in India before. The main street of the city center could have as well been somewhere in German or Danish city.

People in India like to litter and spit so much that there is even need for restricting signs :-) Sikkim was one of the few places we noticed such a sign.

The main street of the Gangtok

Gangtok main street cleaning brigade