Anjan Kumar Kundu · File:Pemayangtse Monastery, Pelling, West Sikkim 01.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) · cropped and resized · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pemayangtse_Monastery,_Pelling,_West_Sikkim_01.jpg
Pelling
A West Sikkim town at about 2,150 m, known for Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins and views of the Kangchenjunga range on clear days.
A hill town in West Sikkim
Pelling is a town in West Sikkim at about 2,150 m, roughly 115 to 130 km from Gangtok by road, a drive of several hours. People come for three things close to town: Pemayangtse Monastery, founded in 1705 and about 2 km away, the ruins of Rabdentse, the kingdom's second capital from 1670 to 1814, and views of the Kangchenjunga range on days when the cloud lifts. Further out are Khecheopalri Lake, held sacred by several communities, and a glass skywalk with a large statue of Chenrezig that opened in 2018. The town itself is small and mostly a base. Weather decides how much of the mountain you see, so treat the views as a possible bonus and not a promise.
Explore Pelling on the map
City locations, drawn from our published destination data. Attractions, hotels and restaurants are not mapped yet.
What a stay here holds
Most of what Pelling offers is within a short drive or walk of the town, with one longer outing to the lake.
🏛️ Pemayangtse Monastery
- A monastery of the Nyingma tradition, founded in 1705 and about 2 km from the town
- Dress modestly, remove your shoes where indicated and ask before taking photographs inside
- The monastery sits on a ridge, so the walk up is short but can be steep
🧱 Rabdentse ruins
- The ruins of Sikkim's second capital, in use from 1670 to 1814, lie a short walk from Pemayangtse
- Stone walls and three chortens remain, and the site is reported to be maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
- Accounts differ on why the capital was abandoned, so read the site boards
🏔️ Views and outings
- Kangchenjunga is visible from the town and from the ruins on clear days, often early in the morning
- Khecheopalri Lake, about 34 km away, is held sacred by Buddhists, Lepcha communities and Hindus and is a long day outing
- The Skywalk and the Chenrezig statue opened in 2018, and a 2019 report described cracks in part of the glass, so check the current status before you plan around them
How a stay can run
Up to the ridge
Arrive in the afternoon after the drive, settle in and look for a clear patch of sky over the range before dusk.
Monastery and ruins
Walk to Pemayangtse early, then on to the Rabdentse ruins through the forest below it, finishing before the cloud builds.
Khecheopalri
Spend a day on the longer drive to Khecheopalri Lake, allowing generous time, then return to Pelling or continue onward.
Getting there and around
Pelling is reached by road, and a car with a driver who knows hill roads is the practical choice.
From Gangtok
- Roughly 115 to 130 km, a drive of several hours across West Sikkim
- Allow time for the winding road and for rain delays
- Many itineraries break the journey at a ridge town on the way
From Bagdogra and Siliguri
- Bagdogra is the nearest airport, roughly 133 to 145 km away by road
- New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri are the usual rail and road gateways, with distances reported between about 115 and 150 km
- Keep a margin if a flight or a train depends on the drive
On the ground
- The town centre and the ridge can be covered on foot
- Pemayangtse and Rabdentse are a short drive or a walk from the town
- Ask your stay about local taxis for Khecheopalri and confirm any fare in advance
What to know before you go
Three points shape a stay in Pelling.
Kangchenjunga is visible from the town when the cloud allows it, and many days it does not. Early morning is often the clearest, and cloud tends to be more common in the monsoon months. Plan the monastery and the ruins so that a cloudy day still has something in it.
Distances from Gangtok are given as roughly 115 to 130 km, and drives are reported to take about four and a half to six hours. Bagdogra airport is roughly 133 to 145 km away, depending on the source. Rain and landslides can slow hill roads in Sikkim, so keep a spare day when a flight depends on the drive.
Several guides say Indian citizens need no permit for Pelling, Gangtok, Namchi or Ravangla. Permits are needed for parts of North Sikkim and for some border areas, and rules change, so check with the Sikkim Tourism Department or a registered operator.
Where to base yourself
Pelling has hotels and guesthouses of different standards along its ridge and in the lanes around it. We do not name properties here.
In and around the town
- Hotels and guesthouses line the ridge road, and views vary from room to room
- Confirm heating, hot water and meals before you book, as nights can be cold
- A room facing the range is worth asking for, though cloud can hide it
Near Pemayangtse
- Stays close to the monastery are quieter than those in the centre
- The walk to the monastery and on to Rabdentse starts from this side
- Check how far the stay is from the road before you book
If you are passing through
- Many visitors give Pelling one night on a longer Sikkim route
- A single night covers the monastery and the ruins if you arrive early
- A second night leaves room for Khecheopalri or a slow morning
Practical notes
A few details that keep a stay simple.
Weather and views
- Go out early for the best chance of a clear view of the range
- Carry a warm layer and a rain layer in every season
- Keep a cloudy-day plan, such as the monastery and the ruins
At the monastery and the ruins
- Dress modestly and follow the signs at the monastery
- Ask before photographing people, and do not climb on the ruins
- Wear shoes with a good grip, as the forest path can be slippery after rain
Money and signal
- Carry some cash, as card payments can be unreliable outside the town
- Download maps before you set out
- Check opening times locally, as they can change
Close by
Places around Pelling.
Related to Pelling
Journeys that include Pelling — each one visits the city as part of its itinerary.
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