Gangtok is full of tall, brightly decorated houses and is a happy, bustling place-you'll meet Nepalese, Tibetans, Lepchas, Bhutias, Bengalis from the plains and even dhoti-ciad Tamils, and they are all, without exception, welcoming and friendly.Sikkim' commonly attributed to the Tsong word 'Su-Khim' means New or Happy House. Sikkim has a lot of open monasteries, chortens, flying prayer flags and lofty stupas all giving a tinge of mysticism.

The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok, is a "must". It is housed in a beautiful building, built in the traditional Tibetan style, with murals,decorated columns and a wonderful smell of beeswax polish from the creaky wooden floor. The staff of the institute are knowledgeable and delighted to show you their stunning collection of silk thangkas (Buddhistpaintings), statues and manuscripts . Gangtok is accessed by road from Kakarbhitta in Nepal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Bagdora airport in west Bengal.

Tusklakhang: Tusklakhang Royal Chapel is situated on a level ground in the palace complex. On all corners of the chapel are located the formidable heads of snow lions - wood sculpture in relief. Inside the chapel is depicted the magnificent wood work, highlighted by the massive Buddhist murals that adorn the walls. The warrior dance to worship Kanchanjunga, the Black Hat dance to celebrate Sikkimese New year's day etc. are all celebrated in this chapel.

Government cottage Industries Institute: The multi craft institute originally named after the last Chogyal Palden Thondup, is an academy of craftsmanship. The locally made handicraft products are sold at the institute The Sikkimese hand made paper is another product of the institute demanded inside and out side the state. The traditional Sikkimese weaves and woolen blankets which can be designed into bags, shawls, jackets, opulent Sikkimese thankas (traditional tapestry ), leather works, dolls, variegated applique work, batiks, an exquisite selection of dolls and a variety of fashionable garments for modern people are the other displayed specialties of the institute.

Gate ways: The Gate ways for Gangtok city have been designed in a very attractive and artistic manner. There is a strange enchantment and charm about these gates. Sikkimese art and the minute skill depicted by the Sikkimese artists is visible on these structures .

Monasteries: Sikkim's monasteries are institutes of scholars and saints dedicated to the spreading of noble teachings of Lord Buddha. The monasteries of Sikkim apart from being the places of religious discourses, worship and meditation are the store houses of many hand written religious books and murals, the part and parcel of Sikkimese cultural heritage.

Dube-de monastery is the oldest monastery of Sikkim. It was built over the cell of the hermit where lama Lhatsun Chenpo lived and meditated. Under his direction the Sangla Choling monastery was also built at the same time. He also built the Tashiding and Pemyangtse monasteries. All these purmonasteries are leading monasteries of Sikkim.

Deer park: On the southern fringes of Tashiling, overhauling a valley that drops a sheer thousand metres below, is located the Gangtok's Deer Park. There is an image of Lord Buddha enshrined in the Deer Park in his preaching posture.The park is a sanctuary for deer, brought from Sikkim and other neighbouring lands for the symbol of peace and harmony between them .

Khabelongstok: At a distance of about 21 km from Gangtok is located a historic Kabi or Khabelongstok the venue where blood brother hood was sworn between Khye-Bumsa, the renowned ancestor of Namgyals, the former ruling house of Sikkim .A memorial stone adorns the place as a testimony to the historic and sacred agreement.