Gangtok is a city, municipality, the capital and the largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. It also is the headquarters of the East Sikkim district. Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range, at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). The town's population of 100,000 are from different ethnicities such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia. Nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya and enjoying a year-round mild temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim's tourism industry. Gangtok is a small city, with a population of a little more than one lakh. The city is sprawled on one slating face of a mountain. Gangtok, perched on an altitude of 1650 m, is the capital of Sikkim.
Not much of Gangtok's history is known, but it came to prominence when the capital of Sikkim was moved to Gangtok in 1894 during the reign of Sikkim King Chogyal Thutob Namgyal. Gangtok's importance grew and it became an important stopover place for traders traveling the route from Calcutta in India to Lhasa in Tibet. The influx of traders and outsiders grew along with its religious significance. It is today a popular Buddhist pilgrimage centre as well.
