Location: 75 kms from Mangan, North Sikkim District
Attraction: Enchanting scenic beauty, Hot springs
How to get there : One can easily reach Yumthang by taking regular jeeps or by hiring taxis from Mangan

To fasten the beauty of Yumthang Valley in words would be like slighting the creator of such splendor. Yumthang Valley is just right place, where magnificence seeks no bounds. Perched at the bewildering elevation of 11800 ft, Yumthang Valley tenders an awe-inspiring spectacle of alpine pastures, rhododendron forest and snow-cloaked peaks of the Himalayas of India. For many years, Yumthang Valley had been debarred from visitors owing to its proximity with the border of Tibet.

In the northern district of Sikkim, Yumthang Valley is like a surprise that certainly deserves a visit. Yumthang Valley is easily accessible from Mangan by regular jeeps or by hired taxis. During this journey, Lachung is the last destination prior to Yumthang. Lachung lies at a distance of approx 25 kms and serves as an excellent stopover for the tourists on course for Yumthang. However, Yumthang has been made accessible to the tourists, yet foreigners are required to obtain the Inner Line Permit to enter this area.

Yumthang Valley is also known by the name of "Valley of Flowers". This bottomless vale has remarkable variety of flowers to boast of. Once again to its credit, Yumthang also embraces the world renowned Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary in its region. A tributary of the Teesta flows through the valley and making it all the more mesmerizing in its appearance. To visit this vale, spring season is the perfect time when flowers blossoms at their best. During summers, this valley acts as a pasture land for the yaks.

Besides its astonishing flora, Yumthang also offers an eye-catching vista of peaks along with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa. Yumthang is also famous for Hot Springs, but actually these springs fall in Yumesamdong region. We have covered them in a separate article. During winters, the whole valley gets enveloped in a thick layer of snow. To put succinctly, Yumthang Valley is an amazing treat where you would become the element of the ceaseless picture exclusive of any sort of infringement.

Government Cottage Industries Institute
Also know as Cottage Industry, this institute is located at zero point, few km uphill from the main Gangtok town. It was established, in 1957 with the purpose of promoting the manufacture and sale of local handicrafts, carpets and furniture. An emporium at the institute sells handicrafts, thangkas which are scrolls with paintings, hand carved foldable wooden tables known as Choktsees and exquisitely woven woollen carpets, masks and dolls. Hand made paper is another

unique novelty of the Institute and is made from the bark of a tree Algeri. The paper is used extensively for invitation cards and letter-pads.

This institute is located at about half a kilometre uphill from the main market of Gangtok. It was established with the purpose promoting the manufacture and sale of local handicrafts. thangkas, hand carved wooden tables -known as Choktsees and exquisite woven woollen carpets.

More than hundred student workers turn out cottage crafts adhering strictly to authentic Sikkimese designs. The carpets produced here, with textures, plush and exotic, the designs varying from sophisticated simplicity to a brilliant riot of vermilion pitted against intense blue, are durable and popular allover the world. Second to carpets in popularity is Sikkimese hand-made paper. Other products are Sikkimese thangkas, variegated appliqué work, batiks and exquisite dolls, in wood-work are available intricate carved Sikkimese tables, hand-painted masks, lamp-stands, shade and bamboo-craft. Esoteric masks, flashing silks, opulent brocade, and embroidered boots, clothes for the Sikkimese dancers.