Yuksom
The capital where Sikkim's first chogyal was crowned in 1642, a tranquil mountain village and the starting point for treks to Goecha La pass.
Yuksom, meaning 'meeting place of three lamas', is where three high lamas crowned Phuntsog Namgyal, Sikkim's first chogyal (religious king), in 1642. The coronation established the Kingdom of Sikkim, so the village is regarded as the birthplace of the state. Yuksom sits at about 1,780 metres and is the gateway to Khangchendzonga National Park, a World Heritage Site. The popular multi-day treks to Goecha La and Dzongri begin here. In the village you can visit the coronation site, Kathok Lake and Dubdi Monastery. The pace is leisurely, with plenty of guesthouses and cafés. From Pelling, shared jeeps take about 1.5 hours (about 40 km of mountain road). You can visit for the day or stay overnight.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Kathok Lake
- Norbugang Coronation Throne
- Dubdi Monastery
- Kanchenjunga Falls
- Khecheopalri Lake
- Rimbi Waterfall
- Sanga Choeling Monastery
- Pemayangtse Monastery