Rinchenpong is located in the foothills of the magnificent mountains, among the lap of nature. Located in West Sikkim, India, Rinchenpong is a town close to Kaluk and about 40 km west of Gangtok and 10 kilometers directly south of Gyalshing. Located at a height of 1,700 meters (5576 feet). Trekking courses and the Rigsum Monastery are its main attractions. Kaluk and Rinchenpong are late additions to West Sikkim’s tourist attractions. The location is well renowned for its superb view of the Kanchenjunga range of mountains. The well-known Varsey rhododendron asylum is located in the Kaluk-Rinchenpong area.
In Sikkim, the village somehow enhances the splendor of a monastery everywhere. The gompa is situated above the charming tiny village of Rinchenpong. Thanks to its advantageous location, this settlement has breathtaking views of the Himalayan range, including the Kanchenjunga. The path leading to the gompa, bordered by tall prayer flags billowing in the breeze, demonstrates the harmonious coexistence of historic buildings with the surrounding landscape in Sikkim.
Table of Contents
Places to visit in Rinchenpong
Renowned for its quality and views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Rinchenpong is highly regarded. Because Rinchenpong is geographically close to the Kanchenjunga range, it offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains, including Mt. Narsing, and the crests of the Kanchenjunga. From this point on, the mountain edge extends to Uttarey, Hee, Bermiok, and Dentam.
RINCHENPONG MONASTERY
The Rinchenpong monastery has two cloisters. Located near Rinchenpong at an elevation of around 6250 feet, the Gurung Monastery, also known as the Rishum Monastery, is a seventeenth-century monastery. Rishum is also a ridge with amazing views in every direction. The name of the area, Maggi Dara, is perhaps a nod to the well-known noodle. On a nice morning, this is a great place to get pictures of the surrounding mountains. A leisure area dedicated to the memory of renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore is located just behind the monastery.
Situated further up is Rinchenpong’s second monastery. Walking down a wooded route close to the main Rinchenpong advertisement will get you here. Within the Monastery is a fascinating and magnificent statue of Lord Buddha. The Atibuddha statue is the common name for the statue. Constructed in 1730, the Monastery is the third oldest in Sikkim.
Sirijunga Temple
Teyongsi Sirijunga Limboo Cultural Heritage and Research Center is the location’s full name. Teyongsi Sirijunga Sin Thebe was an eighteenth-century Limboo researcher. There is a 36-foot bronze statue of the researcher within that may be trusted. The location, in a place named Chayatal, is around eighteen kilometers away from Rinchenpong.
Also Read: Places to visit in Sikkim
Chayatal Lake
Travelers often use the little lake with its school of fish as a stopping spot. Wonderful views of the mountain range are also visible from this location.
Hee Water Garden
This is a popular location close to Hee, around 10 kilometers away from Kaluk. The water plant has two large swimming pools, a restaurant, and a distinctive location apart from a little creek.
Singshore Bridge
The renowned balancing scaffold of Singshore is located 24 kilometers from Kaluk and 27 km from Rinchenpong. According to some, the scaffold is Asia’s second-most amazing expansion.
Uttarey Village
The Uttarey town is located five kilometers away from the Singshore bridge. The town’s expansive blossoming valley has made it a popular tourist attraction all by itself.
Also Read: Things to do in Gangtok
Tenzing Hillary Park
The Tenzing Hillary stop is around 5 miles from Uttarey. For lovers of the great outdoors, this is a charming location with amazing views of the surroundings. A large statue depicting the two mountain climbers is present.
Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
The location is well-known for its variety of rhododendrons, which bloom in full between March and April. The rare Red Panda is among the many wild animals that call the Sanctuary home.
The best time to Visit Rinchenpong
Whenever you visit a monastery in Sikkim, you will notice that the surrounding hamlet enhances its charm. Rinchenpong is a charming small village with a gompa perched on top. This hamlet is blessed with beautiful scenery, including a breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks. Ascending the path to the gompa in Sikkim, flanked by majestic prayer flags dancing in the breeze, one comes to appreciate the seamless integration of natural beauty with historic architecture.
Also Read: Best time to visit Pelling
January to February
Throughout these months, the temperature varies from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius. This place experiences very cold winters. However, this time of year offers the greatest mountain landscapes. Make sure you bring additional warm clothing if you want to visit Sikkim in the winter.
March to October
The highest recorded temperature is 88°F, which would normally entice you to seek out the nearest café for a refreshing beverage; nevertheless, the 77% relative humidity makes today an excellent time to explore Rinchenpong. The average amount of precipitation for this season is 21.77 mm.
November to December
Do you wait for winter to come around so you can wear all your warm clothes? At that moment, this season would be the ideal time for you to visit Rinchenpong. The very high humidity at this time of year also results in very cool nights. Anticipate 5.6 mm of typical precipitation.
Also Read: How to reach Gangtok
How to reach Rinchenpong
- Two little settlements, Rinchenpong and Kaluk, are just three kilometers apart. The neighborhood is accessible by three different highways, which come together at Kaluk Market.
- The first road leaves South Sikkim’s Jorethang and ascends to Soreng (19 km). From Soreng, it continues north via Sribadam to Kaluk, which is 18 km distant. This is your best option if you are traveling from NJP station’s Bagdogra airport to the neighborhood.
- The second route starts at Reshi near Legship (which is not the same as Reshi on the East Sikkim-Bengal border). You may reach Kaluk and Rinchenpong via a challenging route that climbs steeply. By this method, the legship to Rinchenpong journey is around 11 kilometers.
Anyone traveling from the Namchi, Ravangla, or Gangtok areas should use this route. This route is particularly well-liked by visitors from other important regions of Sikkim and Bengal; however, the Legship – Jorethang road is often poorly maintained, so it is recommended to avoid it. - Pelling and Rinchenpong are connected via the third and least used route, which goes via Dentam and the Singsore bridge. When traveling between Pelling and Rinchenpong, tourists and visitors who are interested in sightseeing choose this route. This course covers around 46 kilometers in total.
- You have two options for getting to Rinchinpong from Pelling: Dentam or Legship. The Dentam route is less used and more picturesque, but you should double-check the road’s condition since landslides often occur and it can stay closed. Additionally, Dentam has a greater distance than Legship.
- You may choose to take the first or second route from NJP or Bagdogra. It is around 130 miles away.
- There is a 65-kilometer bypass road called Patlebong that you may drive from Darjeeling. It would be around 105 kilometers if you took the lengthier Melli road.
- You may take the Melli – Jorethang – Reshi route or the Ravangla – Legship – Reshi – Rinchinpong route from Gangtok. By the second route, it is around 137 miles away.
Conclusion
Located in the calm foothills of West Sikkim’s Himalayas, Rinchenpong is a beautiful retreat. Incredible sights of the Kanchenjunga range enhance its charm. With pretty towns, a thriving rhododendron sanctuary, and ancient monasteries, it blends nature’s splendor with cultural richness. Whether hiking, touring old gompas, or marveling at the stunning landscape, Rinchenpong provides a serene and insightful journey. Plan a visit to this hidden gem and experience the captivating rural scenery of Sikkim.
Buy the Sikkim Tour Package Here: Sikkim Tour Package
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rinchenpong famous?
The most recent addition to the West Sikkim tourism map is Rinchenpong, which is located at an elevation of around 5576 feet. The location is well-known for the amazing views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range. In addition to the surrounding area’s natural beauty, the location is famous historically.
How to reach Rinchenpong from Gangtok?
The route from Jorethang climbs to Soreng and then continues north to Kaluk, a settlement that is just three kilometers from Rinchenpong. There is another road that starts in West Sikkim at Legship and travels 11 kilometers to Rinchenpong. Routes arriving at Gangtok, Namchi, or Ravangla are ideal for travel.
Which railway station is near to Rinchenpong?
Visitors may rent shared or reserved cabs from NJP (New Jalpaiguri), the closest train station, which is located 151 kilometers away. Direct jeep cab services are available to Gangtok and Siliguri.
Which is the third oldest monastery in Sikkim?
In the hamlet of Rinchenpong, the Ngadakpa Lama founded the Rinchenpong Monastery in 1730. Commencing with about 98 lamas, it is the third-oldest monastery in Sikkim. A unique Ati Buddha (Adi-Buddha) statue in the Yab-Yum posture is kept at the monastery.
