History
Yuksomof West Sikkim once was the capital of Sikkim, it served as the capitalin 1642 for almost 50 years until it was shifted to Rabtense. The district was under the occupation of the Nepalese for many decades in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. After the Gorkha War, the district was returned to Sikkim. The economy is mainly agrarian, despitemost of the land being unfit for cultivation owing to the precipitous and rocky slopes. Attractions include the Khecheoperi lake which as legend has it, not a leaf is allowed to fall on the surface of the lake and the Dubdi Monastery, the first monastery of the state. The people are mainly of Nepali descent. Other ethnic groups include the Lepcha andBhutia communities. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in the district.
Places of Interests
Pemayantse
It was built around the 17th century by Latseen Chembo (one of the three lamas who coroneted the king), Situated at a height of 6,841ft andat a distance of 110 km from Gangtok is one of the oldest monasteries in the Sikkim. It is a three storied structure filled with wall painting, sculptures and antiques. On the third floor there is athe Zandog Phalri - an amazing seven tiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche, complete with rainbows, angels and whole panoplyof Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The model was built single handedly by late Dugzin Rimpoche in 5 years. In Febuary month the Chaam or Masked Dance is performed by the monks.
Rabdense Ruins
Rabdanste Gyalshing was the second capital of the Sikkim after Yuksom and till the Year 1814 AD, the Rabdanste Palace was located few km from Gyalshingtown, from where the King of Sikkim ruled Country from the place. Today, the ruins lie hidden from the main road at a walking distance from the Memayangtse Monastery. It can be approached by the following a footpath which branches off from the main road just below the Pemayangtse monastery.The Scenic View from the top of the ruins scanning across the deep valley to the mystic heights of Khang-chen-Dzonga ranges is something tobe cherished and etched in memory.
Pelling
Pellingis the fast growing to be an urban settlement due to tourist influx situated at an altitude of 6,8900 ft. It offers a good view of the entire mountain ranges, many hotels and lodges can be found around Pelling offering various categories of accommodation facilities. There is a bus service which links Pelling to the West District Headquarters town to Gyalshing situated at a distance of 10 kms from Pelling.
Sanga Choeling Monastery
The second oldest monastery in Sikkim and has a magical position highon a ridge. A 45 minutes walk, west from Pelling, past the helipad and through the forest, leads to the monastery. Monastery was built in 1697, Sanga Choeling means 'the island of esoteric teaching'. 45 minutes walk from Pelling and 7 km from Pemayangtse will take you to this second oldest monastery in Sikkim. A 4 km trail rises from the playing fields just above Pelling to reach the small monastery of Sanga Choeling is one of the oldest gompas in Sikkim. This gompa is another of Lhatsun Chenpo's creations, and is highly venerated among the Nyingmapa. Gutted by fire, it has been rebuilt and houses some of the original clay statues.
Singshore Bridge/Uttarey
The highest bridge in Sikkim, about 25 kms from Pemayangtse. About 20minutes drive is Uttarey a base camp of Adventure Tourism for SingalilaRange Trail. A place worth visiting. Uttarey is small hamlet situated at the extreme southwest corner of Sikkim. Base camp for Singalila trek.
Khang-Chen-Dzonga Water Fall
About an hour's drive from Pelling is Khang-Chen-Dzonga Water fall. Do not miss to see it.
Khecheopalri Lake
Khecheopalri lake is situated in west sikkim, (2000m) 34km northwest of Pelling. Lake is known as the "Wishing Lake", it is sacred to the Lepchas (Buddhist) and the Hindus religions. Lake is surrounded by denseforests, it is believed that the birds do not allow even as single leafto float on the lake. Khecheopalri village and the gompa is just 3km away from the lake, from the top of the ridge can be seen excellent views of Mount Pandim (6691m). If you want to trek from Pelling to Khecheopalri, there's a shortcut leading down to the river valley, steeply up to the Pelling-Yuksom road and then up to the lake (allow 4-5hr).
Yuksum
Yuksum was the first capital of Sikkim, the first Chogyal was consecrated by the three holy lamas. About half an hour walk uphill is the Dubdi Monastery, one of the oldest in Sikkim. Yuksum and Zongri are two places in West Sikkim between which there is a trekking route in theform of bridle path. the best time to venture on a trek on this route is April to June and September to November. Tourism Department organizestreks during autumn and spring. Till Yoksum there is a motorable road. To reach Yoksum, one must first come to Gyalshing from Gangtok to Jorethang from where regular bus or Taxi services are available from Gyalshing to Yuksum. If traveling by own vechicle one may opt to reach Yuksum via Tashiding taking a bifurcation road from Legship.
Dubdi monastery
Dubdi monastery is considered to be the first monastery built in Sikkim in 1701 .It is located on a hill-top, 3 kms. trek from Yuksom.
Rinchenpong
Rinchenpong Village ResortThe upcoming tourist spot in the western part of Sikkim, has a magnificent command over the mountain views, sunsets and rise, flora and fauna, village tourism ,historical sites and heritage of Resum Monastery, old as time. Rich forests and ample area for soft treks. Situated at an altitude of 1700 meters. The drive from Gangtok to Rinchenpong takes about four hours via Zoom and it is also accessible from Siliguri and Darjeeling via Jorthang. It is about two hours drive from Pelling and an hour drive from Chakung. A picturesque village with beautiful landscape and view of mountain range and visit Ringsum monastery makes one or two days interesting for the visitors. Once can also trek to Khandi Danra/Menlapso which is the richly forested area known to be home for various species of wild animals and birds.
Tashiding Monastery
In West Sikkim, if you carry on further from Pemayanste, you come to the charming little town of Tashiding. Few kilometers from the town liesthe Tashiding Gompa, believed to be amongst the most sacred monasteriesin Sikkim. Built in 1717 by Ngadak Sempa Chembo (one of the three lamaswho coroneted the king) belonging to the Nyingmapa order. About 16 km away from Yuksam and about 40 Kms from Gyalshing, via Legship is this important monastery belonging to the Nyingmapa order. It was built on the top of a hill that looms up between the Rathong river and the Rangit river, where a rainbow emanating from Mount Khangchendzonga came to an end. At first only a small Lhakhang was built by Ngadak Sempa Chempo inthe 17th Century. The main monastery was built by Pedi Wangmo during the reign of Chakdor Namgyal and some of the statues built then still exist. The sacred objects of worship in Tashiding are the chorten Thongwa Rangdol and Bumchu( holy water). The chorten was built by the Lhatsun Chenpo and it is believed that merely to view the chorten is enough to cleanse one of all sins.Carved skillfully on flagstones surrounding the monastery are holy Buddhist mantras like 'Om Mane Padme Hum' by the master craftsman Yanchong Lodil. The heart of Sikkimese Buddhism as Guru Padmasambhava considered so and houses the Tashiding Monastery along with Sacred Thongtwa Chorten. Its so holy that even a slight glimpse of cleanses all sins. Rich environment flooded with oranges and cardamoms and gateway to Borong hot springs, ideal for soft treks and perfect Sikkimese village in the setting.
Kongri-Labdang
Besides Tashiding Monastery there are other attractions in and other Tashiding like Sinon Monastery. Tso-Nim-Dawa (Pokhri Danra) Hungri Monastery and Pao-Hungri. The Paha Khola falls on the way to Kongri is worth visiting. The wild beehive on the side of the falls makes the visit more interesting. Its is also a point for the trekkers visiting Kasturi Orar, adjoining Khangchendzonga (Dzongri) trail. One can also access to visit Jhang Lhari Nyingpo. One of the most sacred caves of Sikkim from Labdang.
Barsey
It lies at an elevation of 10000ft and has motorable road access uptoHiley. An easy 4 kms treak from there takes one up to the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. One can also trek from Soreng of Dentam in West Sikkim. The place provides a magnificent view of the mountains. Visitorscan halt at "Guras Kunj" trekkers hut.
Hee Burmiok
Bounded by Kalez Khola in the North, Hee Khola in the West, Rangit Khola in the East and Samdong reserve Forest in the South, Hee bermoik village in West Sikkim has a beautiful setting. Apart from many scenic spots, such as, Sirijonga Yuma Samyo Mangheem, (Limboo temple), SrijangaCave and the Wadhan Falls, Shivalaya, Kailaspati and Alley caves, Phengdoji falls and Phur Cha-Chu (hot water spring) Legship , the area has agood deal of flora and fauna and flat lands suitable form developing golf courses. More than 65 species of birds have been located in the surroundings.
Norbugang
True to the prophecy of Tibet's founder of Buddhism, Guru Rimpoche, some nine centuries prior, three learned Lamas, Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Kathok Rigzin Chenpo, Nga-Dak Sempa Chenpo, gathered at Yuksam in 1642 from various directions and enthroned Chogyal Phuntsog as the first religious king of Sikkim.A stone throne shaded by a 300 year old fir still stands here today. A foot print in stone in front of the throne is said to belong to Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, and a nearby chorten (stupa) contains soil and water from all over Sikkim. Thus Yuksam occupies an important place in Sikkimese history as the first capital, and Norbugang as an historic cultural site maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. Norbugang is easily reached on a 15 minute walk from Yuksam.
Biksthang
A short distance from Pelling is the small hamlet of Biksthang. Also know as Chuchen and Mangalbaray, calm, serene and tranquil natural surrounding is the main attraction of Biksthang. It is a new and upcoming tourist destination in West Sikkim and you can watch the majestic Khangchendzonga and its lesser peaks standing tall from dawn to dusk on a clear day.
Legship
This gateway to western Sikkim, has a holy Hindu Shrine of Lord Shiva on the banks of river Rangit. A must visit for all tourists specially the Indian Traveller. The festival of the temple takes place in the month of November known as the Bala Chaturdesi. Legship also houses the first ever built dam in the state for hydro electricity purpose. The water accumulated in the dam is used for Rangit Water World and local folks come here for picnics and rafting.