Spiritual · Lachung, Sikkim
Morning at Lachung monastery
Walk or drive up to the village monastery above the Lachung Chu before your Yumthang trip or on a spare morning. It is a small community gompa of the Nyingma school, with painted walls, butter lamps and views down over the wooden houses of the village.
Photo: Amitabha Gupta · CC BY 4.0 · CommonsLachung's monastery sits on a slope on the eastern side of the valley, above the main settlement. It belongs to the Nyingma school, the oldest of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the one most closely tied to Sikkim's royal history. The prayer hall holds statues of Guru Rinpoche and other figures, and the walls are painted with deities and guardian figures.
The monastery is the centre of village religious life. Masked dances are held here at certain festivals in the Tibetan calendar, and families come to light lamps and offer prayers. On an ordinary morning, you may find only a caretaker or a few monks; ask permission before entering and leave a small donation.
The walk from the bridge takes 20–30 minutes uphill, or a few minutes by car. From the slope you see the whole layout of Lachung, with fields and orchards between the houses and the cliffs and waterfalls rising behind. Go early, before the tour vehicles leave for Yumthang, for the quietest visit.
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Trips through Lachung
Do this on a trip
Each of these trips stops in Lachung. Tell us and we keep a slot for this day.
Photo: IamBumba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Comfort
North Sikkim: Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar
Private SUV with driver
Photo: IamBumba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Saver
North Sikkim on a budget, 5 nights
Seats on shared permit-tour vehicles
Photo: IamBumba · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Signature
Sikkim signature: Gangtok and the north
Private SUV with driver and local guide
Questions
Before you book
Can I visit Lachung monastery during a North Sikkim tour?
Yes. Ask your driver to stop on the way in or on a spare morning; it is close to the village. Most tours do not include it by default, so request it when booking.
What should I wear to Lachung monastery?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, remove shoes and hats before entering the prayer hall, and walk clockwise. Warm socks help on cold floors.
Is photography allowed inside Lachung monastery?
Rules vary, so ask the caretaker first. Many Sikkim monasteries do not permit photography inside the prayer hall. Never use flash near statues or paintings.