Located in the state of Sikkim, Pelling is a very prominent hill station well-known for its natural splendor and serenity. It is situated at a distance of just 10 Kms from Geyzing which is the district headquarters. Being nestled beautifully in the grand Himalayas, tourists throng the place in search of peace, tranquility and scenic beauty.

It is said that this place is wrapped with ecstasy and is resplendent with natural beauty and breathtaking sceneries. Pelling Travel guide is incomplete without a mention of its mesmerizing places. Several numerous scenic places that one can visit in Pelling are Khecheopalri Lake, Changey Waterfall and Singshore Bridge. It is very popular for the snow-capped peaks of the Kanchenjunga and offers startling activities such as trekking, skiing and is entirely enveloped with a blanket of snow.

PLACES TO VISIT

Sangachoeling Monastery  The 16th century Sangachoeling Monastery is one of the oldest and perhaps one of the most important in Sikkim. Accessible on foot only, the monastery is a 45-minute walk from Pelling.

A picturesque and peaceful setting, it is lined with prayer flags that flutter in the cool breeze and create a soothing sound. Remember to take permission before clicking pictures within the premises.

Khecheopalri Lake Another must-see in Pelling is the Khecheopalri Lake. Considered a sacred site, it is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.

Hidden by a rich forest cover, it offers a pristine setting that is perfect for a stroll along the periphery for admiring its beauty. It is also considered a ‘wishing lake’ and it is believed that no leaf remains on its surface at any point in time.

Realistically, this is the case also because of the sizeable duck population at the lake which usually plucks away any leaves that might fall on the surface of the lake. No water activities are permitted at the lake due to its sacred nature.

Rivers and Waterfalls The Kanchenjunga Falls and the Sangay Waterfalls are two good attractions you can visit on relatively freer days. An added advantage is the unspoilt surroundings of these waterfalls.

The beautiful Rimbi River is 12 kilometres away from Pelling close to Darap Village, which falls on the way to Yuksom. It also has a small hydro-electric power plant on it.

While you are here, we also recommend visiting Sewaro Rock Garden to observe beautiful rock formations through which the beautiful Rimbi flows.

Rabdentse Ruins Rabdentse is the 16th former capital of Sikkim and now lies in ruins. It was destroyed after the Nepalese invasion in the 18th century. Located close to the Pemayangtse Monastery, the ruins offer superb views of the Kanchenjunga Range.

Pemayangtse Monastery The monastery is a 118-kilometre long excursion from Gangtok but worth all the travelling time. Inside, take note of the murals depicting stories of Lamaism and Dungzin Rimpoche’s seven-tier wooden masterpiece – a smaller remake of Santopalri, the celestial palace of Rinpoche. It took Dungzin five years to carve out this masterpiece.

Singshore Bridge The Singshore Bridge, with a span of 198 metres and a depth of 220 metres, is the second highest suspension bridge in Asia and one of the highest in Sikkim. What’s more, the bridge will soon have a permanent bungee jumping station built on it – another gift from Sikkim to adventure lovers.

How to Reach 

Pelling by Air – The nearest Airport from Pelling is Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri, roughly four hour drive from Pelling. Scheduled flights are available from cities such as New Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. There is an availability of the flights from International destinations such as Paro and Bangkok.

Pelling by railways – The nearest Railway Station from Pelling is Jalpaiguri Railway Station, located at a distance of 170 Kms from Pelling. It is well connected to major cities like Chennai, New Delhi, Howrah, Alipur and Darjeeling through Guwahati Express, Ndls Bgp Express, Mas Njp Express, Dbrt Rajdhani and Porvotr S Krnti.

Pelling by road – It is 10 Kms from Geyzing, 55 Kms from Damthang, 84 Kms from Kalimpong, 110 Kms from Gangtok, 127 Kms from Siliguri, 145 Kms from Pankhabari, 152 Kms from Nagrakata, 168 Kms from Jalpaiguri and 380 Kms from Bhagalpur. Pelling is well connected with the above cities via Sikkim State Road Transport Corporation (SSRTC) and some private travel services.