Chungthang

Chungthang 95 kilometers from Gangtok at an elevation of 1,700 meters / 5,600 feet is a small hamlet. It is regarded as a consecrated place, where Guru Rimpoche once visited and rested. It has a legendary rock, which is believed to have been the seat of the saint for the time being and it has a mark believed to be the footprints of Guru Rimpoche. On the rock, there is a small cavity that remains filled with spring water.  Chungthang also acts a stopover for lunch for the tourists heading for Lachung or Lachen and the road divides into two, one taking to Lachung and other to Lachen. Inhabited mostly by the Lepcha, this small hamlet has a rich variety of flora, including rare orchids. The beauty of this place allures people to take a halt before moving towards Lachung or Lachen. It is situated at the confluence of two rivers, The lachen chu and Lachung chu. It has emerged as a major sub-divisional settlement in North Sikkim. The valley is believed to have been blessed by Guru Rimpoche and one can visit the footprints atop a rock which is said to be that of guru padmasambhava. 2 kilometers from Lachung and 29 kilometers from Lachen. Lachen & Lachung are the place where the exotic view and way of life is highly fascinating. The Tolung - Green Lake trek is an important trek that begins from Dzongu, this is again close to Mangan 30 kilometers from Chungthang.

To See

• Lachen
• Lachung
• Mangan
• Dzongu
• Pentok
• Gurudongmar lake
• Yumthang
• Yumesomdong
• Katao

To Reach

• By Air – Chungthang is 225 kilometers from Bagdogra. The closest air port is at Bagdogra, which is 125 kilometers from Gangtok and connected with all important Indian metros with regular flights from Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, etc. A helicopter / Chopper service to Gangtok from Siliguri and back is a regular service. Mountain flights and other such tours to North Sikkim are also conducted.
• By Rail – There is no Railway in Sikkim. The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri which is 230 kilometers from Chungthang. NJP is well connected with all major cities in India. At Gangtok, railway bookings can be made at the booking counter of the Sikkim Nationalized Transport Terminus.
• By Road – Chungthang is connected with Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri.  It is 95 kilometers drive from Gangtok. The Sikkim Nationalized Transport plies regular bus services between Gangtok and Siliguri, Darjeeling and within Sikkim. Private buses, taxis and jeeps are also available from Siliguri & Bagdogra. Gangtok is at a distance of 120 kilometers from Siliguri and will take 4 hours from Siliguri to reach Gangtok. Gangtok is connected by road with Darjeeling 95 kilometers (4 hours), Kalimpong 75 kilometers, Nepal 155 kilometers (4 hours) and with Bhutan, Phuntsholing 220 kilometers (6 hours)