Sikkim is India's 22nd state located in the Himalayas. It has four districts - East, West, North, and South. Tourism is a major source of revenue for Sikkim and it receives both domestic and foreign tourists. The document provides details on Sikkim's accessibility, social indicators, culture, festivals, types of tourism, tourist attractions in each district, SWOT analysis of tourism, shopping opportunities, reviews of hotels, and investment opportunities in tourism. However, there are also issues around land acquisition for tourism projects.

1. Sikkim
Essential Elements

2. Table Of Contents
About Sikkim Accessibility Social Indicators People & Culture Sources Of Revenue
Tourism Statistics Tourist Festivals Adventure Sports Types Of Tourism Tourist
Attractions   East, West, North South SWOT Analysis Of Tourism Shopping
Mayfair Review Investment Opportunities

3. About Sikkim
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Sikkim is a very small hidden paradise located north/east of India. It is
India's 22nd state It comprise s of beautiful mountains, valleys, historical
sites and religious shrines Sikkim has four districts East Sikkim, West Sikkim,
North Sikkim South Sikkim Capital : Gangtok Smallest state in terms of
population 2nd smallest in area after Goa Hot tourism spot for domestic and
foreign tourists
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4. Accessibility
Airways
1.
The airport located nearest to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport of West Bengal which
is only 124 Kms away from Gangtok 2. In Gangtok, major air ticketing agencies
are Josse & Josse Travels and Cox & King.
Railways
1.
New Jalpaiguri (125 km) and Siliguri (114 km) [West Bengal] are the two rail
stations nearest to Sikkim(Gangtok)
2.
Reservation facilities are available from Sikkim Nationalized Transport office
in all working days

5. Accessibility
Roadways
1. Two hour ride on National Highway 31A which connects Gangtok with Siliguri 2.
Adequate buses by SNT as well as private buses , jeeps and taxies are available
from morning to evening
Sikkim Helicopter Service
1. 2. 3.
Sikkim Tourism provides this service from Gangtok to Bagdogra Airport and back.
Special Mountain Flights Special Sight-Seeing Flights covering monasteries &
exotic flower valleys of West & North Sikkim
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6. Sikkim Tourism Details
Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC)
Mr. John (Assistant General Manager) Ms. Deo Maya Mrs. Tshering Wangmo 94341-
27252 9943630349 9434484617
Official No: 281372/281316 Email : stdcsikkim@yahoo.com Bagdogra to Gangtok Mr.
Madan Pradhan (D.D.) Siliguri Tourist Information Center Bagdogra Mr. Nima Mr.
Gopal Bagdogra Office : 0353-2698030
98320-65617
98323-63957 98320-26699

7. Social indicators
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Population   406457
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Communities  Nepalese , Bhutias, Christians, Muslims and few others
Languages -Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, English and Hindi Religion - Hindu-67%,
Buddhist-29%, Christian-2%, Muslim-1%, others-1% Best Session - From Mid -
February to late May and from October to December State - Animal Red Panda
(Ailurus fulgens) State Bird - Blood Pheasant (Ithanginis Cruentus) State flower
- Nobile Orchid (Dendrobium Nobile)
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8. The People & The Culture
The People of Sikkim consist of three ethnic groups :  Lepcha  Bhutia 
Nepali Local Delicacies  Momo  Thupka
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Saelroti Chhurpi Kinema Gundruk Sinki
Places Of Worship
Hindu Temples coexist with Buddhist Monasteries, Churches, Mosque and Gurudwara

9. Sources Of Revenue
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Agriculture Horticulture Forestry Mining Liquor Industry Hydro Electricity
Generation Handicraft & Handlooms industry Inland Fisheries Livestock

10. Tourism
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Tourism is going to be developed as most important sector for contribution of
the GDP Tourism has created a substantial employment, directly or indirectly
Tourists :
Year Local Foreign 2003 1, 76,659 11,966 2008 5, 00,000 23,000 2009 6, 00,000
23,000*
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State has received more than 21 number of National Awards in Tourism in various
fields.

11. Tourism statistics
Month January February March April May June July August Septemb er October
Novemb er Decembe r total Domestic tourist 2010 40160 48420 60560 87172 116641
68236 27021 37180 53624 59582 48764 52651 700011 Foreign tourist 2010 984 1320
2605 3036 1593 830 680 979 1678 2780 2410 1861 20757 Domestic 2011 42314 50652
62438 89238 124323 Foreign 2011 1436 1065 2423 2615 2875
368965
10414
Foreign tourist arrival in year 2010 is highest in the month of April and
October Domestic tourist arrival in 2011 is more in the months of March ,
April and May In the month of May there is an increase in the number of
domestic and foreign tourist arrivals There is an increasing trend in the
number of tourist arrival

12. Tourist Festivals
Flower festival Gangtok is the venue for the Flower Festival. The flower
festival begins with the Orchid Show in March during which competitions are held
in different sections.
Gangtok food and culture festival
Hee-Bermiock Heritage & Tourism Festival Khangchendzonga Tourist festival
December is the month for the annual Gangtok Food and Culture Festival .
Sikkim s multicultural cuisine, along with traditional music and dance
performances
Hee Bermiock hosts the annual Heritage & Tourism Festival on the 10th to the
13th of May, showcasing the traditional culture of the state. Khangchendzonga
Festival is held in December every year at Pelling, It offers a host of fun
activities like white-water rafting on the Rangit, kayaking, promotional
trekking, mountain biking, sightseeing, traditional sports and bird- watching.
Lampokhari Tourism Festival
The Lampokhari Tourism Festival is held during end of March and early April. The
major attraction of the Festival is adventure sports. It s a 3 day music
festival held at Mangan in North Sikkim from the 12th to the 14th of December
every year. It s a destination for thousands of tourists who come here in
October each year for the annual Namchi Mahotsav, a unique festival showcasing
the traditional culture of Sikkim. Is held at Ravangla from 8th to 12th of April
. The festival hosts an exhibition cum sale of handicrafts from Sikkim, other
North Eastern states and Bhutan.
Mangan Music Festival Namchi Mahotsav
Ravangla Festival

13. Adventure sports
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Trekking
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River rafting
Mountain biking
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Mountaineering
Yak riding
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Bird watching
Parks & sanctuaries
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14. Types Of Tourism
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State Tourism is the tourism carried across the 4 districts of Sikkim Ecotourism
is the tourism promoted with emphasis on local culture, ecology and environment
Village Tourism is dispersal of tourists from city congestion to the villages so
that they can have a glimpse of rural Sikkim, familiarize with unique village
culture and heritage
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Adventure Tourism involves adventure tourism related activities such as
Trekking, Mountain climbing and Mountaineering, Rock climbing, River crossing,
Paragliding, Bungee Jumping, White water rafting, Angling and many other types
of traditional adventures MICE Tourism: Meetings, Incentives, Convention and
Exhibition The suitable venues along with all the facilities, transport, and
communication will be developed as well as tourism oriented expositions at land
mark venues
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15. Types Of Tourism
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Health, Yoga & Herbal Medical Tourism is a combination of
Adventure Eco Wellness tourism Facilities such as Meditation, Yoga, Spa,
Herbal treatment, Jogging etc at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure &
Eco tourism (IHCAE) at Chemchey (South Sikkim) Pilgrimage Tourism in which
many temples and other pilgrimage places, sacred lakes, sacred rocks & caves
etc. offer a wide range of pilgrimages places
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Fairs and Festivals are spread all over the season, well organized, widely
publicized & target the tourists on well defined themes
Arts Crafts and Souvenirs are the integrated part of tourism industry and it
will be developed & promoted on the top priority for generation of employment &
income
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16. Major Tourist Attractions- East District
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.
9. 10. 11.
12.
13.
Enchey Monastery Do-Drul Chorten ( Stupa) Directorate of Handicrafts and
Handlooms Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Saramsa Garden Rumtek Dharma Chakra
Centre Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden Water Garden Tsomgo Lake Nathula Tashi
View Point Ganesh Tok Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre

17. Major Tourist Attractions- West District
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.
9. 10. 11.
12.
13.
Pemayangtse Monastery Rabdentse Ruins Sanga-Choling Monastery Khecheopalri Lake
Yuksam Tashiding Monastery Varsey Soreng Village Darap Cherny Village Dubdi
Monastery Khangchendzonga Waterfalls Khecheopalri Lake Pelling

18. Major Tourist Attractions- North District
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.
9. 10. 11.
12.
13.
Phodong Monastery Phensang Monastery Singhik Chungthang Lachung Monastery
Yumthang Valley Lachen Monastery Guru-Dongmar Lake Rong Lungten Lee Seven
Sisters Waterfulls Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary Thangu Yumthang

19. Major Tourist Attractions- South District
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.
9. 10. 11.
12.
13.
Namchi Temi Tea Garden Ravangla township Menam Hill Borong Samdrupste Phur Tsa
Chu Rock Garden Kewzing Village Borong Buddha Park (Sakyamuni Project) Sikip
Solophok Chardham

20. SWOT ANALYSIS FOR TOURISM
Strengths •Political & Social stability •Hospitable society •Rich Natural
Resources, •Pollution Free environment •Rich Biodiversity •Cultural
diversity •Rich natural and rural landscape •Fairs, Festivals, Holistic
Healing Traditions •Heritage & Modern structure Weaknesses •Poor
Connectivity •No Airport •Lack of strong Brand identity/ USP •Insufficient
Financial resources for world class infrastructure •Insufficient marketing in
domestic and international market •Problem of land availability & land
Acquisition • Limited facilities outside urban areas •Poor availability of
Skilled Human resources Threats •Failing to involve the communities in
decision-making process •Poor management of rural / village marketing â€
¢Cross-Border Competition outside India •Competitive States within India â€
¢Natural Disasters •Non-vernacular structures •Domestic & International
conflicts /disturbances
Opportunities •Natural Resources •Huge potential for village tourism â€
¢Unique Wetland tourism •Wellness Tourism •Wilderness Tourism •Rich &
diverse heritage, culture and civilization •Strong Private Sector

21. 
SHOPPING
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In Sikkim major shopping opportunities are available in the capital city of
Gangtok. One can shop handloom and handicraft items produced in the state ,
thanka paintings, carpets, handlooms, wooden carved and painted items, wooden
masks, cane and bamboo works, traditional hats and caps, multi-craft items,
embroidered products and stuffed dolls. Jewellery - The Dragon set is unique to
Sikkim. Intricately carved in silver and gold and inlaid with precious stones
these consist of finely designed dragons on earrings, pendants, bracelets and
finger-rings Tea - The Temi Tea Estate in Sikkim grows excellent tea which is
highly prized in the world market. Large Cardamom or Bari Elaichi - Cardamom or
Elaichi grows in abundance in Sikkim Sikkim Liquor & Liqueurs - Sikkim Fireball
Special Brandy, a fruit based alcohol is a popular item sought by tourists. You
can also buy the Sikkim Ginger Liqueur and the Sikkim Cardamom Liquor . .
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22. Reviews on Mayfair
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Good leisurely stay, the rooms were very spacious and leisurely plus the
services were excellent The property is beautiful, 9 kms away from the Gangtok
city. Offers amazing spa services and has good entertainment facility. Taxis are
easily available from right outside so no problems of commuting. One of the best
place to stay based on buddisim,mayfair itself is a tourist place. One can say
mayfair is more beautiful place rather then any place in Sikkim.
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Mayfair in Gangtok is a property ideal for those who wish to spend quality time
with family. It has a beautiful ambience and is a sprawling property with
different types of flora thanks to the pleasant climate. Rooms are done up in
typical European fashion. Spacious interiors and good food make the stay
worthwhile High end cottages have attached swimming pools.
But the food is same everyday and not very delicious Good hotel but transport
facility needs urgent attention.
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23. Investment opportunities
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Sikkim, due to its spectacular natural beauty, cultural uniqueness and religious
mysticism, is emerging as a tourist destination in the Eastern Himalayas. It
includes wealth of natural resources, the third highest mountain of the world,
rich flora and fauna , the cultural festivals and the ancient monasteries and
temples . The Government of Sikkim is encouraging private participation in the
developmental and commercial activities of the tourism sector.
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There are tremendous opportunities for investment in meeting the tourists
demands for resorts, hotels, restaurants, surface and air transports,
entertainment outlets, souvenirs, etc.
State has received more than 15 National Awards in Tourism in various fields
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25. Land Acquisition Problems
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5-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1884, which required a public hearing of the
concerned landowners
The State government has taken away the fundamental rights of the people (Right
to Property) as enshrined in the Constitution and in violation of Article 371
(F) applicable to Sikkim by repealing the relevant provision of the Land
Acquisition Act to deny the public an opportunity of hearing to oppose forcible
acquisition of their land along with a notification issued by the Land Revenue
and Disaster Management Secretary to do away with a mandatory public hearing The
State government had issued a notification for acquisition of about 26 hectares
of East Sikkim for the purpose of development of tourism infrastructure by the
tourism department last month. People who donated their land for the Sikkim
University allege that inspite of providing cheap land to Sikkim University ,
the concerned department has discriminated among the land donors. The department
has awarded higher rates to some land donors and less to others The state
government is only making a drama of resettlement issue in regards to SU land
acquisition but the fact is that the government does not want to allocate the
acquired land to Sikkim University.
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