About Ravangla

Country: India | State: Sikkim

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Ravangla: Guwahati (536 Kms), Kolkata (667 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Ravangla: February to June & September to November

Peak Season: March to May

At a distance of 26 km from Namchi, 69 km from Gangtok, 71 km from Darjeeling, 74 km from Kalimpong, 89 km from Pelling, 115 km from Siliguri, 122 km from Lachung, 536 km from Guwahati and 667 km from Kolkata, Ravangla or Ravongla is a small hill town situated in South Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim. At an altitude of 7000 feet, Ravangla is one of the picturesque places to visit in Sikkim and among the best places to experience Sikkim Tourism.

Located on a ridge between Maenam and Tendong Hill, Ravangla is a hot tourist destination blessed with spellbinding tea gardens, adventure activities and ancient monasteries. The town and its surrounding areas offer an undisturbed view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Sinialchu, and Mt. Kabru. Ravangla gets a romantic look with the colours and fragrance of the flowers which are in full bloom during April-May. Buddha Park, Rayong Sunrise Viewpoint, Ralang & Borong Hot Springs, Ralang Monastery, Doling Gompa, Tumlong monastery, Temi Tea Garden, Kheunpheling Carpet Centre, and Rangit Water World are the places to visit in Ravangla.

It also acts as the starting point for the famous Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary Trek. The 12 km uphill trek starts from Ravangla and takes 4 hours to climb up and 2 hours to climb down. The entire trek route passes through the Maenam Sanctuary which houses a rare collection of Himalayan species like red panda, Himalayan black bear, leopard cat, black pheasant cat etc. Another 1.5 km uphill trek leads to Bhaledunga, a hilltop offering beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.

Ravangla is known for its ethnic culture and festivals. A week long tourist festival at Cho-Dzo Lake is organized by Sikkim Tourism department every year in April. The festival hosts an exhibition cum sale of handicrafts from Sikkim, other North Eastern states and Bhutan. Also held are food, cultural, music and fashion shows. Pang Lhabsol is another major festival celebrated in Ravangla during the months of August and September. This is a three-day-long festival that ends with the performance of the 'Cham' dance on the last day.

There are several accommodation options available in Ravangla ranging from budget to luxury hotels. Apart from hotels, visitors can enjoy their stay in mid-range resorts or classic guest houses that offer their guests with decent amenities and warm hospitality at Ravangla.

Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport, which is about 126 km from Ravangla. It has direct flights from Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. New Jalpaiguri is the nearest rail head and has well connected trains from Patna, New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Howrah, Bangalore, Dibrugarh, Puri, Gaya, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Amritsar, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cochin and Agartala. Ravangla is well connected by road with Gangtok, Kalimpong, Siliguri, Pelling, Namchi, Yuksom and Darjeeling and one can be easily reached by hiring a cab or Private buses.

Owing to its proximity to Greater Himalayan ranges, Ravangla weather is pleasant throughout the year. The best season to visit Ravangla is from March to June and from September to November. It is better to avoid visiting during severe winter months and monsoon.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Poor
STD Code: 03592
Languages Spoken: Nepali, English, Hindi, Bhutia or Sikkimese, and
Major Festivals: Ravangla Tourist Festival & Pang Lhabsol
Notes/Tips:
Foreign nationals require Restricted Area Permit (RAP) or Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit any part of Sikkim including Gangtok.

How to Reach Ravangla

By Air

Nearest Airport: Siliguri - Bagdogra Airport (126 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: New Jalpaiguri Junction, Siliguri (119 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Ravangla Bus Stand (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Ravangla

Park | Pilgrimage

#1 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 1 km from Ravangla Bus Stand, Buddha Park is a beautiful park located at Ravangla, in South Sikkim district. Also known as Tathagata Tsal, it is one of the well maintained parks in South Sikkim and among the prime places to visit in Ravangla.

The Buddha Park was constructed between 2006 and 2013 which features a 130-foot high statue of the Buddha as its centerpiece. The site was chosen within the larger religious complex of the Rabong Gompa (Monastery), itself a centuries-old place of pilgrimage. On the birth anniversary of Lord Gautama Buddha in 2006, the Sikkim Government took a decision to observe the birth anniversary throughout the year in Sikkim. And as a part of the celebration, Ravangla was chosen to construct and install a large statue of Lord Buddha and eco-garden to commemorate the event.

The statue was consecrated on 25 March 2013 by the 14th Dalai Lama and became a stop on the 'Himalayan Buddhist Circuit'. The giant statue of the Buddha marks .....

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 10 km from Ravangla, Ralang Monastery is a Buddhist monastery situated at Ralang near Ravangla in Sikkim. Belongs to Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, it is one of the most sacred monasteries in Sikkim and among the best pilgrimage places to visit in Ravangla.

The old Ralang Monastery was built in 1768 AD by the 4th Chogyal of Sikkim to commemorate his successful pilgrimage to Tibet. According to legend, when the fourth Chogyal returned from his pilgrimage, Karmapa performed the 'Rabney' (traditional blessing). Following the rituals, he tossed some grains from the Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet (the main seat of Karmapa) and the grains fell on the ground of Ralang. Thus, the monastery came into existence and considered as one of the sacred monasteries in Sikkim.

The original monastery is located at a distance of 3 km from the new one. The way to this monastery is quite difficult and trekking is the only way to reach the monastery. In order to make it accessible .....

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Pilgrimage

#3 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 6 km from Ravangla, Bon Monastery is a non-Buddhist monastery situated at Kewzing village near Ravangla, Sikkim. Also, known as Bonpo Monastery and Bon Yung Dung Monastery, it perhaps the only non-Buddhist monastery in the region and among the famous places to visit in Ravangla.

Bon Monastery was first established by late Yung Dung Tsultrim in 1980 CE. It is the only monastery in Sikkim belonging to the Bon Sect. In fact, there are only two Bon Monasteries in India - one existing in Kewzing, Sikkim and the other in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. It facilitates an institution offering Bon teachings to young students belonging to less privileged families.

The Bon faith flourished in Tibet up to the 8th Century AD prior to the advent of Buddhism. The belief in an Almighty God and in gods, spirits and demons living in nature belongs to the ancient elements of it. It is believed that many of its rituals were assimilated in Buddhism like the prayer flags, burning of .....

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Pilgrimage

#4 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 6 km from Ravangla, Doling Monastery is a small monastery situated on a small hillock at Barfung Village near Ravangla, Sikkim. Also called as Dorling Gompa, it is one of the noted monasteries in Sikkim and among the best places of sightseeing in Ravangla.

The monastery was founded by Lama Rigdzin Longyang in the year 1718 AD which follows the Nyingmapa sect or Red Hat Sect. According to the history, Lama Dorjelingpa and his son Rigdzin Longyang came here from Tibet during the Mongol ruler Junggar's invasion of Tibet in 1717 - 1718 AD and built the monastery. Due to frequent earthquake damages to the structure, the monastery had been rebuilt in 1840, 1920 and finally in 1984. Today the descendants of Lama Rigdzin Longyang are still exist and taking care of this sacred monastery.

The monastery is built on a raised platform that offers a spectacular view of the towering mountains, lush greenery, and thick forests against the blue sky. There are many sacred .....

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Shopping

#5 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 3 km from Ravangla Bus Stand, Kheunpheling Carpet Centre is a carpet manufacturing site in Ravangla, Sikkim. Situated in the Tibetan Refugee Settlement Camp, it is one of the popular places to visit in Ravangla.

Kheunpheling Tibetan settlement was established in 1978. It is located just above Ravangla market on the ridge between the Maenam and Tendong Hills. Kheunpheling Carpet Centre was setup by the government in order to boost the traditional Sikkimese handicraft and handloom work. Carefully handcrafted and made by Tibetan refugees, the center displays various items such as carpets, shawls etc.

The carpets produced here are amongst the finest Tibetan carpets manufactured all over Sikkim. Apart from the carpets, kurtas, beautiful shawls, and other woolens are also manufactured at Kheunpheling Carpet Center. The center serves as the refugee camp for Tibetan people. Kheunpheling Carpet Centre also teaches the art of weaving and wood carving to the craftsmen .....

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Park

#6 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 20 km from Ravangla and 55 km from Gangtok, Temi Tea Garden is a beautiful tea garden located in South Sikkim. It is the only tea garden in Sikkim and is considered as one of the best in India.

Covering an area of 440 acres, Temi Tea Garden was established in 1969 CE by Sikkim Government. According to history, the last king of Sikkim initiated tea growing in Sikkim to provide employment for Tibetan refugees fleeing the Chinese invasion of their homeland. Initially a small plantation was started in Kewzing. Later, it was moved to Temi and a proper processing plant was constructed by Sikkim Government.

The tea plants are growing along the steep slopes of the hills emerging from the Tendong Hills ranging from 1200 to 1800 m. The original tea saplings were brought from Darjeeling and it produces some of the best tea in the world. The estate functions under a Tea Board set up by the Government of Sikkim and under its aegis the 'Sang-Martam Tea Growers Cooperative .....

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Hill Station | Pilgrimage

#7 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 45 km from Darjeeling, 49 km from Kalimpong, 65 km from Pelling, 81 km from Gangtok, 88 km from Siliguri, 512 km from Guwahati and 641 km from Kolkata, Namchi is a small town and also the district headquarters of South Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. Also known as Namtse, it is one of the fast developing tourist destinations in Sikkim and among the popular places to experience Sikkim Tourism.

Literally means ' Top of the Sky', Namchi is situated at an altitude of 5,500 feet and is known for its Buddhist Monasteries and scenic locales. As per the historical facts, once Sikkim was under the reign of the Chogyals. Legends say that one of the Sikkimese princesses, Pende Ongmoo deceived a Sikkimese Chogyal. When people of Sikkim got to know about this, they killed the Sikkimese princess, Pende Ongmoo. The place where the Pend Ongmoo was killed is believed to be the present day Namchi.

Often known as the .....

Distance (From Ravangla): 26 Kms
Trip Duration (From Ravangla - Including Travel): Full Day
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Hill Station

#8 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 78 km from Kalimpong, 96 km from Darjeeling, 115 km from Pelling, 117 km from Siliguri, 403 km from Darbhanga, 496 km from Muzzafarpur, 543 km from Guwahati, and 670 km from Kolkata, Gangtok is a fascinating hill town and the capital of north-eastern state of Sikkim, India. Known for its cleanliness and breathtaking beauty, it is one of the popular places to visit in Sikkim and is one of the popular attraction not to miss in your honeymoon trip.

Situated at an altitude of 5410 feet, Gangtok is the largest city and the main business and tourist hub of Sikkim. The name meaning hill-top, Gangtok is known for its scenic beauty and striking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. It is also known as the land of monasteries, as it has maximum number of monasteries in the world. Located right in the middle of the Himalayan range and having mild .....

Distance (From Ravangla): 69 Kms
Trip Duration (From Ravangla - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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Nature

#9 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 9 km from Ravangla, Rayong Sunrise Viewpoint is a viewpoint situated on Ravongla - Damthang Road. Situated on the way to Temi Tea Garden, it is one of the spectacular viewpoints in Ravangla and among the must visit Ravangla Tourist Places.

Perched at an altitude of 6700 feet, Rayong Sunrise Viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the Sangalila range and the Chola range of Bhutan. The viewpoint also offers a mesmerizing sunrise view as the first rays of the sun lightens up the snowy peaks of Mount Narsing, Mount Jopuno, Mount Kabru, Mount Rathong, Mount Pandim and the rest of the Himalayan Range.

Along with lovely natural surroundings, the Rayong Sunrise point also acts as a base for the famous trekking trails to Deorali Dara, Tinkitam (famed for rhodenderon fields) and Gholey Bhir. Visitors have to walk a little to reach the top of the viewpoint from the road.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

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Miscellaneous

#10 of 14 Places to Visit in Ravangla

At a distance of 10 km from Ralang and 21 km from Ravangla, Borong Hot Springs are the natural spas located at Borong near Ravangla, Sikkim. Situated along the banks of River Rangit, these are the popular hot springs in Sikkim and among the famous places to visit near Ravangla.

Borong Hot Springs are famous for having sulphur rich water which is believed to have the therapeutic power to cure many diseases. Locally known as Borong Tsa-Chu, people come here to take a dip in this magical water of the hot spring. This place is also a trekker's bliss, guided by various thrilling trails and mind-blowing views of carpeted hills all around. The tourists here can also indulge into bird watching and chasing many colored butterflies.

Temporary huts are available at nominal rates for overnight stay but one need to carry own bedding and cooking utensils. During the peak season, small shops, selling basic vegetables & provisions, are setup and the local villagers sell dairy products. One .....

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