Photo spot in Gangtok
Enchey Monastery
Gangtok, Sikkim
A serene 200-year-old Nyingma monastery above Gangtok, framed by pines and prayer flags, famed for its Cham dance festival.
Best time
Morning, when light comes through the pines onto the painted front and the courtyard is quiet; on Cham days, the first hour of the dance.
Best angle
Stand at the edge of the courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the monastery front, with the prayer flags and pines framing it.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Crowd level
Low
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Enchey Monastery
Morning, when light comes through the pines onto the painted front and the courtyard is quiet; on Cham days, the first hour of the dance. Crowds here are typically low. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Enchey Monastery
Stand at the edge of the courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the monastery front, with the prayer flags and pines framing it. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
By the prayer flags
At the monastery entrance
Outfit guide
What to wear at Enchey Monastery
For photos at Enchey Monastery, maroon, saffron and white work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Gangtok.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Enchey Monastery.
Eat nearby
Food near Enchey Monastery
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for sel roti nearby.
Special dishes to try
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Go early in the morning, when the monks are at prayer and light comes through the pines.
Ask a monk before taking photos inside the hall, and don't take any during prayers.
Walk clockwise past the prayer wheels along the outer wall, turning them with your right hand.
Combine Enchey with Ganesh Tok or the Do-drul Chorten in a single taxi loop.
Walk down to town afterwards rather than up, since the lanes are steep.
Check the lunar calendar in January and February if you want to see the Cham dance.
Arrive very early on Cham days to find a place at the edge of the courtyard.
The solitary monastery
Enchey Monastery stands on a ridge about 3 km north-east of Gangtok's main market, among tall pines and lines of prayer flags. Its name is often translated as "the solitary monastery". Local tradition says the site was blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master said to have flown here from Maenam Hill. A monastery was first built here in the 1840s, and its founding helped turn Gangtok from a hamlet into a place of pilgrimage. The present building, with its pagoda-style roof and golden top, dates from 1909.
What to see
Enchey belongs to the Nyingma school, the oldest in Tibetan Buddhism, and comes under Pemayangtse Monastery in West Sikkim. Around 90 monks are attached to it. Inside the prayer hall are murals, statues and carved, painted windows. Outside, a row of prayer wheels lines the walls. On clear days you can see the Kanchenjunga range from the ridge.
The Cham dance
Enchey's best-known event is the Detor Cham, a masked dance on the 18th and 19th days of the twelfth lunar month, usually in January or February. Monks in masks and brocade robes dance in the courtyard to drive out the old year's misfortune before Losar. The monastery also marks Pang Lhabsol in late summer. Dates change each year, so check locally.
Visiting
Cover your shoulders and knees, take your shoes off at the prayer hall door and keep your voice low. Ask before taking photos inside, and don't take any during prayers. The courtyard and outside walls are fine to photograph. A taxi from MG Marg takes a few minutes, or you can walk uphill in about an hour.
Questions
Enchey Monastery — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Enchey Monastery?
Morning, when light comes through the pines onto the painted front and the courtyard is quiet; on Cham days, the first hour of the dance. Stand at the edge of the courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the monastery front, with the prayer flags and pines framing it.
Is there an entry fee at Enchey Monastery?
Entry to Enchey Monastery is free.
What are the opening hours of Enchey Monastery?
Enchey Monastery is open 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
What should I wear at Enchey Monastery?
Maroon, saffron and white photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Enchey Monastery get?
Crowd levels are typically low. To miss the busiest window: morning, when light comes through the pines onto the painted front and the courtyard is quiet; on Cham days, the first hour of the dance.
What food should I try near Enchey Monastery?
Try sel roti at spots close by.
When is the Cham dance at Enchey?
The Detor Cham falls on the 18th and 19th days of the twelfth lunar month, usually in January or February, just before Losar. Confirm the dates each year.
How do I get to Enchey from MG Marg?
It is about 3 km uphill. A taxi takes a few minutes. If you walk, allow about an hour on steep roads, or walk only the downhill return.
Can I take photos inside Enchey Monastery?
Ask first. Many monasteries allow a few photos when no prayers are on, and some don't allow any. The courtyard, prayer flags and outside walls are always fine.
Which school of Buddhism does Enchey belong to?
The Nyingma school, the oldest in Tibetan Buddhism. Enchey comes under Pemayangtse Monastery in West Sikkim.