Ravangla
A tall Buddha above the clouds, and Sikkim's only tea estate below
Ravangla sits on a saddle on the road between Gangtok and Pelling, about 65 km from Gangtok and 50 km from Pelling, which makes it a natural halfway night. The town is small: a bazaar along the main road, a few lanes of hotels and homestays, and wide views north-west to Kangchenjunga, Pandim and Kabru when the cloud lifts. The name is usually explained as Sikkimese for 'the pass where wild sheep were reared'.
Its best-known sight is the Buddha Park, a hillside of gardens and stupas around a statue of the Buddha about 40 m tall, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 2013. Below the town lie Ralang Monastery and its Kagyu monks, the old Ralang gompa, and hot springs at Borong. To the south, Temi Tea Garden covers the slopes above the Teesta.
Ravangla is cold and often foggy, even in spring. Bring warm layers in every season.
Highlights
What Ravangla does best
A 40 m (130 ft) statue of the Buddha set in gardens at Tathagata Tsal, best seen early before visitors and cloud arrive.
A large Kagyu monastery in the valley below Ravangla, known for its masked dances in winter.
Sikkim's only commercial tea estate, set up in 1969, when Sikkim was still a kingdom, on slopes running down from the Tendong range.
A forest walk to a 3,263 m summit in Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, with views over the whole of South Sikkim.
Ravangla hosts one of Sikkim's main celebrations of this festival honouring Mount Kangchenjunga.
On clear mornings the range shows across the valleys from the town and the park.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Ravangla
Shared jeeps run from Gangtok, Namchi, Gyalshing (for Pelling) and Siliguri to Ravangla, mostly in the morning. Gangtok to Ravangla is about ₹200–300 a seat; Siliguri to Ravangla about ₹300–400. Book a seat the day before at the stand.
A reserved car from Gangtok takes 2.5–3 hours and costs about ₹3,000–3,800. From NJP or Bagdogra it is 4.5–5 hours via Melli and Namchi or via Singtam, about ₹4,500–5,500.
Bagdogra (IXB) is about 130 km and 5 hours away. Pakyong airport near Gangtok has had irregular flights; check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Ravangla has small hotels and homestays along the main road and the lanes above the bazaar, from ₹1,200–2,500 a room for simple places to ₹3,500–6,000 for resorts and cottages on the edge of town. Rooms at the Buddha Park end are quieter. Book ahead for Pang Lhabsol and the Puja holidays.
A small resort of wooden cottages in a garden outside Ravangla, one of the older tourist stays in South Sikkim. It is a good base for …
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Five things to know
- Visit Buddha Park as soon as it opens; by late morning cloud often wraps the statue.
- Ask for a heater and an extra quilt; Ravangla nights are cold in every month.
- Pair Ravangla with Temi Tea Garden and Namchi in one day if you are short of time.
- For Maenam, start before 7 am with a local guide and carry rain gear, as the forest is often wet.
- Buy Temi tea at the estate factory outlet rather than in Gangtok shops.
The local story
Why Sikkim built a Buddha at Ravangla
In the 2000s the Government of Sikkim set out to mark the 2,550th anniversary of the birth of the Buddha, which Buddhists celebrated in 2006. It chose a slope above Ravangla, next to the old Rabong monastery, for a large statue and a pilgrim park, called Tathagata Tsal.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Ravangla
Is Ravangla worth a night
Yes, if you are driving between Gangtok and Pelling. It breaks a long day into two easy ones and lets you see Buddha Park early, before the crowds and cloud. With two nights you can add Ralang Monastery, Temi Tea Garden or the Maenam walk. On its own, Ravangla is quiet, cool and good value, but not a place for nightlife.
How far is Ravangla from Gangtok and Pelling
Ravangla is about 65 km from Gangtok, a drive of 2.5–3 hours via Singtam and Damthang or via Temi, and about 50 km from Pelling, 2–2.5 hours via Legship. Namchi is about 25 km and 1 hour away. Times grow in the monsoon when slides slow the roads. Distances are approximate.
What are the Buddha Park timings
Buddha Park is generally open from early morning until late afternoon, roughly 8 or 9 am to 5 pm, with entry around ₹50 per person. Hours can change for festivals, maintenance or official visits, so check current status before you travel. Allow 1–1.5 hours to walk the gardens, the statue base and the circuit around it.
Can I see Kangchenjunga from Ravangla
Yes, on clear days, mainly from October to April and mostly in the early morning. Kangchenjunga, Kabru, Pandim and Siniolchu are visible to the north-west and north. Ravangla is often foggy, though, more so than Pelling, so treat a view here as a bonus. Pelling remains the better bet for long mountain views.
Does it snow in Ravangla
The upper parts of Ravangla and Maenam Hill sometimes see light snow in January and February, but it is not reliable and seldom lasts in the town. Expect cold nights near freezing in mid-winter and fog on many days. For dependable snow, North Sikkim or the Tsomgo and Nathu La road from Gangtok are better choices.
What is Ralang Monastery
Ralang is a monastery of the Karma Kagyu school, about 6–7 km below Ravangla. The large new monastery, Palchen Choeling, was completed in the 1990s, and the older Ralang gompa from the eighteenth century stands nearby. It is known for masked dances in winter, including the Kagyed dance in November or December. Visitors are welcome outside ceremonies.
Is Ravangla good for families with children
Yes. Buddha Park has open gardens and easy paths, Temi Tea Garden is an easy day out, and the town is safe and quiet. The main issues are cold and fog: pack warm clothes even in May and October. Plan short drives and avoid the monsoon, when roads to Ravangla are often hit by landslides.
Where can I buy Temi tea near Ravangla
Buy it at Temi Tea Garden's own sales counter at the factory, where you can see the different grades and taste them. Ravangla and Namchi shops also stock it, as do outlets in Gangtok. Prices vary by grade and flush; first flush teas in spring are the most expensive. Look for sealed packs with the estate's name.
Is there an ATM in Ravangla
Yes, Ravangla bazaar has ATMs from a couple of banks, but they can run out in festival weeks and on long weekends. Carry some cash for shared jeeps, small hotels and entry fees. UPI works in most hotels and many shops when the network is up. Mobile signal is generally good in town.
Packages
Routes that stop in Ravangla
Nearby
Pair it with
Guru Rinpoche on the hilltop and Shiva on the next ridge
Kangchenjunga at breakfast, and the old capitals of Sikkim below
Sikkim's capital on a ridge above the Ranikhola valley
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