Lachung Monastery

Opening Hours: 07:00 am- 07:00 pm

Prime Day & Hours: Weekends, 05:00 pm- 07:00 pm

Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours

Tickets: Free Entry

Nearest Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, about 191 km away

Nearest Airport: Pakyong Airport, about 130 km away

Nearest Bus Stop: Gangtok bus stand, about 121 km away

Lachung Monastery (Samten Cheoling Gompa) sits 3,000 meters above sea level on top of orchards where the Lachung and Lachen rivers meet. This two-story wooden sanctuary was built by the Nyingma school in 1880 and has amazing panoramic views of the Himalayas. The beautiful murals show the life of the Buddha and the Wheel of Life, and the statue of Guru Padmasambhava is very important to the Nyingma school. Heavy prayer wheels stand guard on the porch under carved metal dragons, it is one of the best things to do in Sikkim.

In December, monks bring the courtyard to life with Chaam, a lively masked dance that takes place on the 28th and 29th days of the tenth Tibetan month. This is an annual show of spirit and art. Most people who come here spend an hour or two listening to peaceful prayers and whispered chants from local pilgrims. It is surrounded by apple trees and is a great place to start exploring nearby attractions like Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, and the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

• Immerse yourself in the divine at the Lachung Monastery, built in 1880 by the Nyingma sect.
• Visit the wooden prayer wheel porch, featuring twin metal‐dragon motifs guarding colossal prayer wheels filled with thousands of blessed scrolls.
• Admire vivid murals inside the two‑storey hall, including Buddha’s life, Wheel of Life imagery, and a central bronze statue of Guru Padmasambhava.
• Experience the annual Cham (masked) dance each December when vibrant festivities turn the monastery into a lively heaven.
• Wander through apple orchards and pine forests around the monastery, with panoramic views over the Lachen–Lachung River confluence and nearby Himalayan peaks.
• Use binoculars or a camera to capture wildlife glimpses and seasonal flowers, while the monastery’s serene elevation offers photo‑ready Himalayan vistas.