Yuksom is a historical town in Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. It was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD by Phuntsog Namgyal who was the first Chogyal of Sikkim. It is around 45 km from Geyzing and 123 km from Gangtok. The most convenient way to reach Yuksom is to first come to Gangtok and then from there drive down to Yuksom. Tourist can hire a private taxi/cab or a shared one to reach Yuksom. State-run buses are also available.
Yuksom, literally meaning the ‘meeting place of three lamas’, and is of great historical importance to the Sikkimese people. It is the coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim and is known as the “Throne of Norbugang”. Yuksom is where there is the Norbugang Chorten near the Norbugang throne, the place Namgyal was crowned and several monasteries and a lake. The dynastic rule of the Chogyals lasted for 333 years until 1975 when Sikkim became the 22nd state of India.
The Chogyal established the first monastery at Yuksom in Sikkim known as the Dubdi Monastery in 1701, which is part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit involving the Norbugang Chorten, Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, the Khecheopalri Lake, and the Tashiding Monastery.. Being at the head of the Khangchendzonga National Park and as the base camp for trekking to Mt. Khangchendzonga, it has large influx of mountaineers from all parts of the world.
The climate in Yuksom, which is located at a moderate altitude, is pleasant from March to June and September to November, while in the winter season, the coldest months are December and February. The Himalayan trekking to Khangchendzonga mountain and the Khangchendzonga National Park, centred in the Yuksom town as the base camp, the economy of the town has now become tourism centric. Consequently, the Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC) located at Yuksom, with the village community as the stakeholders, with Forest Department acting as the chief coordinating agency, have planned several innovative programmes to promote ecotourism, concurrent with encouragement of local handicrafts.
The Yuksom-Dzongri trek is a popular high altitude trek along the Rathong Chu River in West Sikkim. The trek passes through dense forests, alpine lakes and terminates at the Khangchendzonga. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Dubdi Monastery, is located in the area and also the smaller Mallu Monastery. The monastery has now been declared a National Monument and is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Established in 1701, Dubdi Monastery professes to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim and is located at the top of a hill about an hour’s walk from Yuksom. It was also known as the Hermit’s Cell after its reclusive founder Lhatsun Namkha Jigme. Yuksom is also the gateway to the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, the base for some of the most fascinating treks through high mountain region with the route to Dzongri being the most frequented. There are a number of places of religious and historical interest in Yuksom like the Dubdi and Sangachoeling monasteries, the first to be constructed in the Sikkim.
The splendid Khecheopalri Lake considered holy by the Sikkimese is another great tourist attraction of the place. The local cuisine of the place are a must try. Tashiding Monastery, Tashi Tenka royal complex, and Katok Monastery are also worth visiting. As Yuksom is a popular spot for trekking and some of the following routes for trekking are Yuksom to Dzongri Trek, Pemayangtse to Yuksom Trek, Yuksom to Bakhim, Bakhim to Dzongri and back to Bakhim, Bakhim to Yuksom to Pemayangtse and Basudha Farm. Yuksom is famous for organizing a Biodiversity festival which educates people on preserving the environment and heritage of the world.
