Lachung is a mountain village close to the Tibetan border, in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. It’s divided by the Lachung River. The village is home to the 19th-century Buddhist Lachung Monastery, surrounded by apple orchards. Nearby, the Yumthang Valley’s Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary protects many species of rhododendron. The valley is owning lots of waterfalls, pine forests and hot springs which major tourist attractions.
When to Visit: The relatively dry months of Dec–May are a common time to visit Lachung. Monsoon rains can be heavy Jun–Sep. Temperatures sometimes dip below freezing Dec–Feb, bringing snow. Losar, or Tibetan New Year, (Feb) is a major celebration in Lachung and across the state. The best time to visit the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary is Apr–May, when the flowers are most likely to be in bloom.
