This is a small town that is situated at the junction oftwo rivers named as Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim district. These two rivers are the tributaries of Teesta River. Lachung is full of natural beautythat makes it a popular Hill station. The height of Lachung is near about 3000 meters above sea level. This small town has been give the title of ‘Paradise on Earth’ or Mini Switzerland. These name were given by the tourists who experienced the beauty of this area.  A British explorer named as Joseph Dalton Hooker gave the name to this place as “most picturesque village of Sikkim” in his travelogue named as ‘The Himalayan Journal’ (1855). This is the last village of North Sikkim and is very close to the China border.

The word Lachung is a Bhutia word that means “small mountain” or ‘Small Pass’. This is located near about 125 km from Gangtok. Lachung was considered as a trading area between Sikkim and Tibet till 1950. After that, it was closed after the annexation of the Tibet. For the purpose of protection from foreign attacks, Indian army developed its cantonment in this small area. This small area constitutes its own governing body that is called as Zumsa, in other words, it is a substitute of Panchayat. This Zumsa is headed by an elected person called as Pipon who resolves all the local disputes. Due to the popularity of Yumthang valley and Lachung monastery, this small place has been developed as one of the famous tourist place throughout India.

This village is spreaded on both the banks of river Lanchung Chu that is surrounded by snow mountains having number of waterfalls streams, apple orchards, and beautiful landscapes. This is an ideal place for the people who are nature lovers or voyagers. This is also famous among newly wed couples for honeymoon and for the people who want to spend some moments of relaxation.

How To Reach

By Air

The nearest airport available from Lachung is Bagdogra International Airport of West Bengal that is located near about 128 kms from Lachung. This airport connects to the major cities of India like Chennai, Guhawati, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi.

By Rail

Nearest railway station located is near about 139 km named as Jalpaiguri Railway Station of West Bengal. There are three substations of this railway station named as Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri road, and new Jalpaiguri.

By Road

Lachung is located near about 98 km from Singtam 141 km from Namchi, about 59 km from Mangan, 125 km from Gangtok, and 147 km from Jorethang.

Places To Visit

The Lachung Monastery

One of the most famous cultural and religious heritage is Lachung Monastery, which is also known as Lachung Gompa. This has been established at about 1880 AD. This monastery is very important and ancient abode of Buddhist monks.

Yumthang Valley

Yumthang valley is a very beautiful valley and famous among tourist. It is situated about 25 kilometers from Lachung and is called as the famous Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary that have near about 24 species of Rhododendron.

Yumesamdong (Zero Point)

This is  located near about 25 km from Yumthang valley and commonly known as Zero point situated at the height of more than 15000 feet.  Zero Point name is given to it to personify it as heaven.

Mt. Katao

This mountain is located near about 30 km from Lachung and is especially famous among the people who are adventure lovers. There are many adventurous sports which are popular here named as snow boarding, skiing, stone grinding, and snow tubing etc.

Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary

This sanctuary have near about 24 different species of Rhododendron that is state flower of Sikkim. This sanctuary is spread over an area of 43 square kilometers.

Weather And Best Time To Visit

In Lachung, summers are mild, winters are very cold, and it also experiences monsoon seasons. The best time to visit this beautiful area is during the starting summers. Winters are very cold regarding the sight seeing and the monsoon season experiences very heavy rainfall.

The summers in this town are mild so it is the best time for the visitors to visit this area. The time period of summers starts from March and ends up to June.

Due to the impact of South West monsoon, Lachung experiences very heavy rainfall. This season starts from month of July and ends till the end of September.

Language And Culture

Most of the population of Lachung is Lepcha and Tibetan descent. They still follow and retained their traditions and cultures that also shows heavy modernization. Their self governing body called as Zumsa that is the substitute of Panchayat is the remarkable example of Lachung culture. In January, that is the eleventh month according to the calendar of Tibetans, the Lachung Monastery monks performs their traditional dance that is called is ‘Chaam’ in which they wear particular masks that holds a religious significance in the culture of Lachung.

The tourist visiting Lachung can buy various items like wood carving items, Thankas, Lacquered Wooden Toys, Lepcha weave bags, purses, and liquor and take to home as the souvenirs of trip to this beautiful place.

Momos, Thukpa/ Gya-thuk, Gundruk, Sinki, Mesu, Chhurpi, and Kinema etc are some typical cuisine of Sikkim and one should not miss tasting on these.

The main languages spoken here are Nepali, Bhutia, and Lepcha.

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Accommodation

Season House , Lachung

This is the hotel that has been designed aesthetically with the environment that shows the rich culture of Sikkimese. This hotel provides 8 mountain views from its 2 floors. This hotel also has a season restaurant that provides vegetarian food and guests can satisfy their appetite. The timings of this restaurant for this service are from 8a.m to 8p.m.

Address: Upper Lachung, Lachung, LACHUNG, india

Fortuna Lachung And Lachen , Lachung

This is one of the hotel in Lachung and Lachen, which is very luxurious, modern providing all the basic facilities, which are being demanded by the client.

Address: Lachung Village, North Sikkim, Lachung, India

Festivals And Activities

Chaam

Chaam is one of the famous religious dance that is masked and is performed by the Lamas the monastery monks. The entire village of Lachen celebrates this religious dance under the direction of Lachen Gumchen. This dance is performed on 20th and 29th day of the eleventh month.

Lossong

This is the festival that is known as harvest festival and celebrated as a new year by the Bhutia people.  This is being celebrated by them on first day of 12th month according to the Bhutia Calender. This sometimes enters in the month of January. The main source of pooja performed during this festival is water, which is offered to God.

Drukpa Tse-Shi

The meaning of Drukpa is the 6th month and Tse-shi describes the 4th day according the Bhutia calendar. This sometimes enters in the month of August. This festival is basically remarked as a auspicious day on which Lord Buddha teached the 4 novel truths to his first five disciples in Sarnath.

Hotels

Lecoxcy Resort, Lachung

This resort has the natural beauty and is situated at an altitude of 8610 ft above sea level having a distance of 120 Km from Gangtok. The base for the exploration of Yumthang and Yumesamdong valley is Le Coxi.

Address: North Sikkim, Lachung, India

Comfort Inn, Lachung

Address: Comfort Inn, Tadong, Gairi Gaon, NH-31A, Gangtok, East Sikkim, India

Cliff View Residency, Lachung

This hotel is situated at Lachung and is famous for the views of Mount Kangchendzonga from its terrace, restaurants, and rooms.

Address: Cliff View Residency Sharchok, Lachung

Get Around

This area is very easy to explore by foot.  If any person wants to go nearby places, then jeeps and cars are the best mode of transport available and can be provided by travel agents and hotels. However, it is recommended that personal vehicle must be preferred for exploring nearby places.

Get Out

Yumthang Valley

This valley is surrounded by Himalayan mountains and have grazing pastures in North Sikkimdistrict. It is also famous for Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary having twenty-four species of the rhododendron that is called the state flower. The river Teesta flow across this valley as well as Lachung.  This valley remained closed between December and March due to snowfall. Due to foggy area, the direct journey to this place is difficult by roads as the area became dark near about 5:30 pm. The time that takes from Lachung to the valley is 2 hours.

Shopping

The tourists visiting this place can buy various items such as lacquered wooden toys, silk, rosewood, sandalwood, ivory, cane, choktses, copper-ware, cane and bamboo furniture and crafts, mysore Coffee, exquisite traditional gold jewellery, tea, cheese, handcrafted rugs, large cardamom, purses, liquor and Lepcha weave bags and the tourists buy them as a souvenirs of trip to the Lachung.

Location Map

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