Himalayan Zoological Park

Gangtok


Among India's best-maintained zoos, this lushly forested park occupies an entire hillside. The star attractions are Sikkim's animal emblems, the red pandas, looking a little like cuddly toy foxes. There are also Himalayan bears and snow leopards roaming enclosures so large that you'll need patience to see them. With a vehicle, allow around two hours to see everything; walks total over 2km from the three parking areas.

Without wheels, add an extra 1.6km walk each way from/to the ticket booth, which is opposite Ganesh Tok.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gangtok attractions

1. Ganesh Tok

0.05 MILES

If you're visiting the zoo, whose ticket booth is 50m away, it's well worth stopping at this viewpoint tower to survey a vast sweep of cityscape: notice…

3. Enchey Gompa

0.46 MILES

On the city's northern outskirts, approached through rustling conifers, Enchey is a small but appealing Nyingma-Buddhist monastery that is, in a sense,…

4. Flower Exhibition Centre

0.8 MILES

Flower-wise it's less exciting than many a British garden-centre shop, but a visit to this small, covered collection of potted plants is perversely…

5. Tsuklakhang

1.18 MILES

Gangtok's 'royal' monastery has a very impressive centrepiece temple whose superb interior incorporates a pair of carved dragon columns flanking the main…

6. Tashi Viewpoint

1.98 MILES

When clouds lift, Gangtok's best glimpses of Khangchendzonga are from this roadside knoll at the junction of routes to Mangan and Nathu La, around 7km…

7. Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

2.08 MILES

The NIT's 1958 core building feels like a Tibetan fantasy palace, with corner towers, colourful mural frontage and a forest-glade setting. The main hall…

8. Lingdum Gompa

2.14 MILES

Layered amid peaceful forests, Lingdum Gompa is arguably the most photogenic monastery in the Gangtok area. Its centrepiece is a large, attractive…

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