Sikkim · India
Pelling
A tranquil ridge town in West Sikkim with front-row views of Kanchenjunga — home to the ancient Pemayangtse Monastery, the ruined royal capital of Rabdentse, the sacred Khecheopalri Lake and a dramatic glass skywalk.
Pelling is monastery-and-mountain Sikkim: dawn Kanchenjunga views, the Pemayangtse and Sanga Choeling monasteries, the Rabdentse ruins, holy Khecheopalri Lake, the Chenrezig skywalk, and momos-and-thukpa food.
Plan your trip
Pelling Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Pelling Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Free
Kanchenjunga Viewpoint
- Best timeSunrise, when the first light turns the snow pink and then gold over a dark valley; the first hour after sunrise for sharp, white peaks.
- ColorsRedCreamCharcoal
Medium crowdEntry Free
Khecheopalri Lake
- Best timeMorning, when the water is still and the walkway is empty; a bright overcast day for even light under the trees.
- ColorsMaroonCreamForest green
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Pemayangtse Monastery
- Best timeEarly morning, when the peaks are clear behind the roof and the courtyard is quiet; late afternoon for warm light on the painted front.
- ColorsMaroonSaffronCream
Low crowdEntry Nominal
Rabdentse Ruins
- Best timeEarly morning, when the peaks are clear above the old walls and the forest is quiet; late afternoon for warm, low light on the stone.
- ColorsRustCreamForest green
Medium crowdEntry Free (skywalk extra)
Sanga Choeling Monastery
- Best timeEarly morning, before the cloud settles on the ridge and while the skywalk is empty; late afternoon on clear days for soft light on the statue.
- ColorsMaroonSaffronCream
For the feed
Trending Wear in Pelling
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Pelling Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Pelling
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Pelling
A ridge town facing the mountain
Pelling sits at about 2,150 metres on a ridge in Gyalshing district, the part of Sikkim most people still call West Sikkim. The district town of Gyalshing is about 10 km away and Gangtok is roughly 115 to 130 km by road, usually a five- to six-hour drive. The town is a string of hotels along two levels, Upper and Lower Pelling, and almost all of them face the same way: north, towards Kanchenjunga. On a clear morning the whole range stands across the valley, close enough to pick out single ridges. That view is why Pelling exists as a tourist town, and the Kanchenjunga viewpoint page explains how to catch it.
The old heart of Sikkim
Pelling is more than a viewpoint. The kings of Sikkim ruled from Rabdentse, a short forest walk below town, from 1670 until the palace was abandoned and later wrecked by Gorkha raids. Next to it, Pemayangtse Monastery was the royal monastery of the Nyingma school, and its monks once anointed the kings. Above town, Sanga Choeling, built in 1697, is older still. Both monasteries sit on a pilgrim circuit that also takes in Yuksom, Tashiding and Khecheopalri Lake, the sacred lake about 34 km away.
New additions
The big modern draw is the 42-metre Chenrezig statue and the glass skywalk that leads towards it, opened in 2018 just below Sanga Choeling. It is ticketed and gets busy by late morning, when cloud also tends to roll in. Further out, day trips run to the Singshore Bridge, the Kanchenjunga Falls and Yuksom, the first capital.
Food
Pelling's kitchens cook for trekkers and families, so expect momos, thukpa and gundruk soup more than fine dining. Try phagshapa, a Bhutia pork and radish stew, and sel roti in the morning. See what to eat and where to eat.
Getting there, permits and the rains
There is no airport or railway. Most people come from Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri station near Siliguri, about 135 km away, by shared jeep or taxi. Indian citizens need no permit for Pelling. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit for any part of Sikkim, now applied for online in advance, so check the current process before you travel. From June to September landslides cut the hill roads often. In September 2026 a landslide at Rimbi damaged the road from Pelling towards Yuksom and Khecheopalri, and repairs were expected to take months. Check the road before any day trip in the rains, and read the best time to visit page before you book.
Questions
Pelling — FAQ
How many days do I need in Pelling?
Two nights is enough for most people. Use one day for Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Sanga Choeling and the skywalk, and a second for Khecheopalri Lake or Yuksom. A spare morning gives you a second chance at a clear Kanchenjunga view.
Do I need a permit to visit Pelling?
Indian citizens do not. Foreign nationals need Sikkim's Restricted Area Permit, which covers Pelling, Pemayangtse and Yuksom. The process has moved online, so apply before you reach the state border and check the current rules.
Is Upper Pelling or Lower Pelling better to stay in?
Upper Pelling is closer to the helipad ground and the main viewpoints, and most rooms with a mountain view are there. Lower Pelling is a little quieter and sometimes cheaper. Both are a short walk or drive apart.
Can I combine Pelling with Gangtok?
Yes, and most trips do. The drive between them takes about five to six hours through Ravangla or Jorethang. Many visitors add a night at Ravangla or Namchi on the way to break the journey.
Does it snow in Pelling?
Sometimes, on a few winter days, but it is not reliable. Winter here is mostly cold, clear mornings with frost. For a sure sight of snow up close, people go on towards higher ground elsewhere in Sikkim.