|
 |
| Gangtok
Topography |
| Total
Area |
954
sq kms |
| Altitude |
5,500
ft. |
| Temperature |
Summer
: Max 28°C Min 13.1°C
Winter : Max 18°C Min 05.3°C |
| Population |
2,50,000
appx |
| Annual
Rainfall |
3,894
mm |
| Best
Season |
March
to late May & October to December |
|
Clothing |
Summer
: Light Wollens
Winter : Heavy Wollens |
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Gangtok,
the "Lofty Hill" capital of Sikkim, lies at an altitude 1600
meters and is occupied on the west side by Ranipool River. Gangtok
has a very spectacular setting and offers excellent views of
the entire Kanchenjunga range from various points in its vicinity.
Sraddling a ridge, Gangtok has a cosmopolitian flavour with
a lively mix cultures and has undergone rapid modernization
in the last two decades or so. Being the capital of state, Gangtok
contains all modern facilities.
There are good schools, a railway
out agency, an Indian Airlines Counter, cinema |
|
halls, well-equipped hospital, fast food centers and telephone
booths for making outstation calls and sending faxes. |
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The Private Bus Terminus and the Main
Taxi Stand are located half a minute walk from the Tourist Information
Centre and the main market on the M. G. Marg. The Govt. Buses are
run by Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT). The Terminus is located
about 5 minutes walk away from the M. G. Marg.
An imposing manmade landmark of Gangtok
is the 60ms high TV tower, which overlooks the town and is situated
near the Enchey Monastery below Ganesh Tok. The Main market, which
has hotels, restaurants, curio, garment, footwear and grocery shops
lines the flat M. G. Marg.
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Getting
in, Around & Away
AIR : Gangtok does not have an airport, but the Bagdogra
(124 kms from Gangtok) airfield serves it.
RAIL : The nearest railhead is at NJP, which is 125-km
(about 4 hours drive) from Gangtok. NJP is well connected with
all major cities of India. Gangtok, railway bookings can be
made at the booking counter of the Sikkim nationalised transport
terminus.
Road: Most of the major places of North Bengal are connectd
with it by the national highway 31A.
The language used for communication
is Nepali. However everybody seems to know a smattering of Hindi.
Written Official correspondences take place in English.
Indian tourists require no entry
permits into Sikkim, except for the restricted areas. Foreign
tourists require a special permit, which is easily available
at all Indian missions abroad who are authorized to issue a
15-day permit. The same can also be obtained from any of the
Sikkim Tourism offices. The tourist officer at the border town
of Rangpo is also authorized to issue a 2-day permit to foreign
tourists to enable them to enter the state and acquire the full
15-day permit. |
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