Sikkim सिक्किम

Kabru Mountain Range, Sikkim
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kabru_Complex.jpg
Author: Shillika


Sikkim सिक्किम) is a small landlocked state in northeastern India. It covers just 7,096 sq km (2,739.8 sq mi) and has a population of around 607,000 (2011 estimate). Sikkim is bordered by China to the north, Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the east and the Indian state of West Bengal to the south. The capital and largest city in Bhutan is Gangtok.

Khecheolpalri Village, Sikkim
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Village_near_Khecheolpalri_Lake.jpg
Author: Kothanda Srinivasan


Sikkim has a diverse geography that ranges from humid subtropical rainforest to high alpine forest. It is also home to the third tallest peak in the world, Kangchenjunga, which is at the border with Nepal.

Sikkim was an independent country until 1975, when it merged to become a state in India. Its history goes back to the 9th century, when it was mentioned in the sacred manuscript of Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche, who is credited with introducing the religion to Sikkim.

The Royal Family of Sikkim originates, according to legend, from Khye Bumsa, a prince from eastern Tibet who traveled south upon receiving divine revelation. The fifth generation of Khye Bumsa's descendant, Phuntsog Namgyal, became the first king of Sikkim in 1642.

Gangtok, Sikkim
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sikkim_Gangtok.jpg
Author: Kailas98


The kingdom of Sikkim faced constant threat from Nepal. When the British arrived, it allied itself to the British. In 1814, an attack by the Nepalese on Sikkim resulted in the Gurkha War, which led to the signing of a treaty between Sikkim and Nepal for the return of territories annexed by the latter. Meanwhile relationship with the British was strained by the British imposed tax on the Morang region. When two British physicians were detained by Sikkim authorities in 1849, the British retaliated. This led to the annexation of Darjeeling and Morang into India.

Sikkim became a British protectorate in 1890. A referendum in 1947 reject joining India. Nonetheless it came under Indian suzerainty, with India taking charge of its external affairs, defence, diplomacy and communications, but otherwise allowing Sikkim a high degree of autonomy. In 1973 rioting erupted in Gangtok, forcing the government to seek help from India. In 1975, the prime minister of Sikkim sought statehood within India. A new referendum saw 97.5% voting to join India. This was accomplished a few weeks later, on 16 May, 1975, with Sikkim becoming the 22nd state and also the 2nd smallest state in India.

Enchery Gompa Monastery, Gangtok, Sikkim
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enchey_Gompa_in_Gangtok.jpg
Author: Kothanda Srinivasan

How to go to Sikkim

Sikkim is a restricted area, so foreign tourists need a Restricted Area Permit. If you are going there through a local travel agency, the agency should be able to iron that out for you. In any case, the permits are available at the immigration office of major airports.

The nearest airport to Sikkim is the one at Bagdogra, in West Bengal, served by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, SpiceJet, among others. It's still a four hour journey from there to Gangtok. There is a government-operated taxi/minivan stand at the airport. The charter of a taxi from the airport to Gangtok will cost you Rs 1,100 while the minivan is Rs 1,500, so try to get other travelers to share the fare with you.

View of Kangchenjunga from Goecha La pass
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kangch-Goechala.jpg
Author: Ashinpt

Main Cities in Sikkim

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

 Discover with Timothy YouTube Channel

 PG Food Channel

 Learn Penang Hokkien YouTube Channel

SojiMart Videos

 Share your travels and/or ask a travel-related question

Join the Penang Travel Tips Facebook Group to share photos, tips and anything related to your travels, or ask travel-related questions.

Map of Roads in Penang

Looking for information on Penang? Use this Map of Roads in Penang to zoom in on information about Penang, brought to you road by road.

Discover with Timothy

Let me take you to explore and discover Penang through my series of walking tours on YouTube. You may use these videos as your virtual tour guide. At the beginning of each video, I provide the starting point coordinates which you may key into your GPS, Google Maps or Waze, to be navigated to where I start the walk, and use the video as your virtual tour guide.

Disclaimer

Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.

Latest from Discover with Timothy: Gurney Bay - what to see and do there

About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

Robbie's Roadmap