A little village in North Sikkim called Chungthang is situated where the Lachen and Lachung rivers converge to create the Teesta River, which is regarded as the most significant river in Sikkim. Situated at a height of 1790 meters, it is one of the nation’s military installations, particularly because of its close proximity to the border with China.
Both locals and Buddhists regard Chungthang as a holy spot. It is said that this is the location where Guru Padmasambhava strolled and rested on a rock. According to mythology, this rock features a fissure where Padmasambhava left his footsteps. Additionally, there is a paddy field, a natural marvel since Chungthang’s environment is unsuitable for producing rice. An additional mythology pertaining to Chungthang states that Guru Nanak Dev traveled through the region on his journey to Tibet.
Small village Chungthang serves mostly as a stopover point before traveling to Lachen and Lachung. You need a previous permission to enter Chungthang, which you may get from a travel agency.
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How to Reach Chungthang
By Flight
The nearest airport to Chungthang is the Bagdogra Airport (IXB), which is at a distance of 173 km. It is the second busiest airport in West Bengal and thus allows flight services to different parts of India, offering ease of travel to the passengers willing to visit Chungthang . After reaching at the Bagdogra Airport, you may opt for private taxi services or travel to Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus, located at a distance of only 13.7 km via the NH27 route hat will take around 30 minutes to reach.
From there you may avail the service of a private taxi, shareable taxi as well as bus services. There is also an airport located at Pakyong, situated at a distance of 121 km, which will require a travel time of 4 hours and 49 minutes. However, it is operational for a specific tenure, depending on the weather conditions.
Also Read : Travel Guide Lachen
By Train
Sikkim doesn’t have any rail station. But the nearest rail station, New Jalpaiguri (NJP), is 230 kilometers away from Chungthang. Gangtok’s Sikkim Nationalized Transport Terminus booking office can handle train reservations. NJP connects to every major Indian city. Roads link Chungthang to several places like Kalimpong, Siliguri, Darjeeling,
By Road
You can find jeeps, taxis, and buses leaving from Siliguri and Bagdogra. You can reach Gangtok from Siliguri in around 4 hours, after covering 120 kilometers.
There are road links between Gangtok and places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Nepal, Bhutan, and Phuntsholing. Journeying to and from Chungthang is easy due to its excellent road links to major Sikkim cities. Even the closest railway station (New Jalpaiguri) and airport (Bagdogra) can be accessed by road.
A travel agency can best assist in securing a taxi for transport within or travel to Chungthang because public transportation in Sikkim isn’t reliable or frequent.
Also Read : Travel Guide Lachung
Sightseeing And Activities
Chungthang might be more of an army base than a tourist hit, but it offers stunning mountain views. Small shops and restaurants are located in charming mountain houses, serving delicious local food from the Lepchas and Buddhists. The locals are friendly and offer visitors insight into their region. You can even visit some Buddhist holy spots here.
The Holy Rock
Chungthang has a sacred spot called the Blue Rock. It’s Water pours over this rock where Guru Padmasambhava sat. He sprinkled rice here, which is celebrated as the reason for paddy growing around this rock.
Confluence River
The rivers Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu meet the Teesta River here. Locals often fish or swim here. You can take a breath, have a picnic, and soak in the stunning sites and tranquil atmosphere created by flowing river water. Rafting is an activity you can do here. However, it’s best to confirm the availability and the best time for rafting with a travel agency.
Also Read : Travel Guide Mangan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Chungthang famous?
The patron saint of Sikkim and the father of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Padmasambhava, is said to have blessed Chungthang, a tiny village in the northern region of Sikkim, India.
What does Chungthang mean in English?
Changa sthan (meaning “good place” in Punjabi) is the root of the name Chungthang. The term Tsemo Rinchen Thang, which translates to “top precious plain,” may potentially be its source.
Which river is Chungthang dam on?
The Chungthang Dam Project is situated on the Teesta River 400 meters downstream from the point where Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu, two further Teesta tributaries, converge, close to the Chungthang settlement.
Who built Chungthang Dam?
The 1,200 MW Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project included the construction of the Chungthang Dam by Teesta Urja Private Limited and the Sikkim government. The principal stakeholder in the project is the Sikkim government.
What is the altitude of Chungthang Dam?
Located in Sikkim, India, the Chungthang Dam is 1,700 meters above sea level. The dam, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project, has a net head of 778 meters and a gross height of 817 meters. It was put into service in 2017. The main goal of the dam is to export excess electricity to West Bengal and other nearby regions.
