The Kartok Monastery, adorned with crimson walls, gilded edges, and fluttering prayer flags, radiates timeless Tibetan elegance. Set beside the peaceful Kartok Lake in Pakyong, it was built in the 17th century and named after the lama who helped crown Sikkim's first Chogyal, adding to its royal and spiritual significance.
The still waters of the lake mirror the monastery, which is surrounded by terraced fields and the distant peaks of the Himalayas. The scenic beauty is both a photographer's dream and a pilgrim's refuge. It is a part of Yuksom's sacred trio, along with Dubdi and Ngadak Chorling Monasteries. Kartok is more than a historical landmark; it is a living chapter of Sikkim’s spiritual legacy.