12 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Beautiful Town of Pelling at Least Once In Your Lifetime

The Kanchunjunga range is directly visible from most parts of Pelling. Prepare a cup of hot tea and snacks, play your favorite playlist on loop, and soak in the sight of snow-laden Kanchunjunga peak standing strong at the backdrop of this quaint little village. If you are a sunrise lover, there is no better time to catch the sight of this mighty mountain when the sun makes its way to the top, painting the mountain in several layers of gold.

Whenever Sikkim comes to mind, it is mostly about Gangtok and places nearby. Pelling has come to the limelight only recently, and it still lies untouched by the pitfalls of modernity, making it an ideal location to go offbeat. Enjoy the quiet isolation as a perfect chance to escape from it all.

Khecheopalri Lake, also known as the Wishing Lake of Sikkim, is a beautiful lake surrounded by verdant hills, evergreen forests, and colorful prayer flags on all sides. This lake has been so named because it is considered to be a wish fulfilling lake and is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. It’s said that there are never any leaves spoiling the perfect surface of the lake since they are all removed by the birds that dwell here.

There is no dearth of paradisiacal surroundings around Pelling, and you can witness it for yourself by taking a day off to explore a few towns near the town like Namchi and Ravangla. Visiting the fabulously constructed replica of Char Dham in Namchi and Buddha Park in Ravangla provide an amazing experience.

Pelling is fortune to feature several beautiful waterfalls; the most famous among them being the Kanchunjunga Waterfalls and Rimbhi Waterfall. Take half a day and head to these waterfalls. You can even go inside the pool for a refreshing dip in the turquoise blue waters or just take beautiful photographs. As you head out, treat yourself with local Sikkimese cuisine, including momos (a type of dumpling) and thukpa (a type of noodle soup) at one of many stalls present right outside the falls.

The hills of India are famous for the diverse culture, and Pelling doesn’t take a backseat. Amidst the colorful prayer flags, visit the numerous monasteries in and around Pelling, which include Pemayangtse Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Sanga Choeling Monastery and Dubdi Monastery. Marvel at the diverse paintings, statues and scriptures that each one houses.

A half-an-hour walk from the Pemayangtse Monastery will take you to the Rabdentse ruins, which revels in the rich history of Sikkim. Rabdentse in Geyzing was the second capital of Sikkim from 1670 until 1814, when it was destroyed by the invasion of the Gurkha army. The ruins have been declared by the Archeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance and is a must-visit if you are in Pelling. This place offers one of the best views of the Kanchunjunga peak and is the ideal place to spend a silent evening.

Nestled quietly at the foothills of the mountains are the rustic villages of Pelling which are slowly gaining prominence for their numerous home stays. While here, you can either stroll around the villages, or you can stay at one of the lovely home stays which have been developed recently by the locals to promote tourism and give an authentic experience of the area.

Unlike other famous destinations, people come to Pelling not with an itinerary in hand but to just enjoy the joy of being here. If you need some time away from the world, this is the ideal place. Take a room in a comfortable home stay, wake up to panoramic vistas, tune in to distant bird calls, and enjoy the fresh scent of the wilderness that surrounds every part of Pelling.

With snowcapped mountains at the backdrop and a gushing stream making its way through numerous rocks, stroll around the orange gardens to appreciate the beauty of nature. The most famous gardens near Pelling are Rimbi Orange Garden and Sewaro Rock Garden.

Whether you are strolling in the curved roads of the mountains, or you have stopped at a tea stall for refreshments, the locals will always greet you with a friendly smile. And if you get to talking with them, they’ll make you feel right at home. The consideration and openness that the locals of Pelling treat visitors with will make you want to stay here forever.

Northeast India boasts incredibly special cuisine, and Pelling is one of the best places to treat your taste buds with their local delicacies. Don’t forget to try traditional dishes such as mouth-watering momos, thukpas, Lamian with sauce, chicken chilli, and maggi while here.