North Sikkim: Lachung & Lachen · river town

Chungthang

Where two rivers become the Teesta, and where the 2023 flood struck

Altitude1,790m Nights0 BestMar – May · Oct – Nov

Photo: Biswas Dibyendu · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

In brief

Chungthang is the river town at about 1,790 m where the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu meet to form the Teesta, 95 km from Gangtok and the fork for Lachen and Lachung. The October 2023 flood destroyed the Teesta III dam here and much of the town's riverside. Tours pass through; check current status before you travel.

The local story

A blessed valley, a dam and the night of 4 October

Chungthang has long been treated as a holy place. Local Buddhist lore says Guru Padmasambhava rested here on his travels. A rock in the town is said to bear his hand and footprints, with water flowing from a crack in it, and a small patch of ground nearby is said to grow paddy every year from grain he scattered, though rice does not otherwise grow at this height. Some local tellings even link Chungthang to Demazong, the hidden valley of rice, an old name for Sikkim. We pass these on as folklore. The town also has a gurdwara and a large army base.

In 2017 the 1,200 MW Teesta III hydropower project was commissioned at Chungthang. On the night of 3–4 October 2023, after extreme rain, South Lhonak lake in the far north-west burst its moraine wall. The flood reached Chungthang around midnight. Operators tried to open the dam gates after a warning from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, but the water destroyed the dam within minutes and swept down the Teesta, damaging Chungthang, Dikchu, Singtam and Rangpo and cutting North Sikkim off for months.

Chungthang is 95 km from Gangtok and 28 km from Mangan; it is the fork where the roads to Lachen and Lachung divide.

The South Lhonak lake that burst in 2023 had grown from about 17 hectares in 1977 to about 167 hectares by September 2023.

Downstream of Chungthang, the 2023 flood raised Teesta water levels by 15–20 feet and washed away about fifteen bridges across Sikkim.

About Chungthang

For most travellers Chungthang is a checkpoint, a tea stop and a fork in the road. Lachen lies up the left valley, Lachung up the right. Stand on the bridge and you see the two rivers meet: the Lachen Chu from the north-west and the Lachung Chu from the north-east, joining to form the Teesta that flows all the way to Bangladesh.

Since October 2023, Chungthang is also where you see the flood's force most clearly: a wide, raw riverbed of boulders and silt, damaged buildings, rebuilt bridges and the remains of the dam. Road works and diversions here decide whether North Sikkim tours run at all. Spend 20 minutes, buy tea, look and listen. Check current status before you travel.

What to see and do

The confluence

From the bridge area you see the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu meet and become the Teesta. After 2023 the riverbed is broad and stony. Ask your driver to stop for five minutes; it is the turning point of every North Sikkim trip.

Guru Rinpoche's rock

A rock said to carry the hand and footprints of Guru Padmasambhava, with water flowing from a crack and a patch of paddy nearby. Lore, but loved locally; ask in town for directions.

Seeing the flood's path

The scars of October 2023 are still visible: a widened river, damaged structures and the ruined Teesta III dam. Look respectfully; people here lost homes and family.

The road fork

Left for Lachen and Gurudongmar, right for Lachung and Yumthang. The checkpost here sees every permit, so keep your ID copy handy.

A tea stop with a view

Small hotels and stalls serve tea, momos and simple meals. On the classic tour you often pass through twice, once each way.

How to get there

North Sikkim tour: Every Lachen and Lachung tour passes through Chungthang, about 95 km and 4–5 hours from Gangtok. Stops are short, for tea, toilets and the permit check.
Shared jeep (locals): Shared jeeps run between Gangtok, Mangan and Chungthang for residents. Visitors heading beyond to Lachen or Lachung still need a permit tour; check with the Mangan administration before travelling independently this far.

Where to stay

Few travellers stay in Chungthang, and after the 2023 flood the options are limited. It is a pass-through town, roughly 1–1.5 hours below both Lachung and Lachen, which have far more rooms. If a road closure stops your vehicle here, drivers know the small hotels in town; expect basic rooms at about ₹1,000–2,000. Otherwise plan nights in Lachung, Lachen, Singhik or Mangan.

Local tips

Keep your permit and photo ID copies handy for the Chungthang checkpost.
Be careful with photographs: no army installations, and ask before photographing people near damaged homes.
Use the toilet stop here; the next ones are in Lachen or Lachung.
Ask the driver about road conditions ahead; Chungthang is where closures are announced.
If you visit the Guru Rinpoche rock, leave shoes and voices at the gate.

02,7005,400

Altitude1,790 m

Hill-station height: cool evenings, a sweater most of the year.

What it costs here

Tea and snacks₹30–100

Simple lunch (rice, dal, vegetable)₹150–250

Momos or thukpa₹100–180

Toilet at a hotel₹10–20

Shared jeep seat to Mangan (local service)₹100–200 (indicative)

Indicative, 2025–26. Check current status before you travel.

Best months: Mar – May · Oct – Nov
Nights we suggest: 0 (pass through)
From Gangtok: ≈ 95 km · 4–5 h
Altitude: ≈ 1,790 m
Known for: Teesta confluence, Guru Rinpoche rock, 2023 flood
Network: BSNL and Jio in town, patchy

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BestGoodAvoid or closed

Things to do

Four things to do in Chungthang

Viewpoints · 20 minutesWhere the Lachen and Lachung become the TeestaChungthang · Free

Culture and history · 30 minutesGuru Rinpoche's rock and the paddy patchChungthang · Free · donation welcome

Culture and history · 30 minutesUnderstanding the 2023 Teesta floodChungthang · Free

Food · 45 minutesA rice-and-dal lunch at the forkChungthang · ₹150–250

On the map

Chungthang and its neighbours

Drawn by Darjeeling Himalayas from Natural Earth outlines (public domain). Borders as depicted by India. Not for navigation.

Close by

Nearby places

village2,700 m Lachung The small pass, run by its own village council since the 1800s

village2,750 m Lachen The big pass: base for Gurudongmar and a Dzumsa village

market town956 m Mangan District town of North Sikkim and its large cardamom

viewpoint1,560 m Singhik Kanchenjunga and Siniolchu across the Teesta gorge

Ways to travel

Monasteries Photography Snow and high passes

Questions people ask

Questions about Chungthang

Where is Chungthang?

Chungthang is in North Sikkim, about 95 km north of Gangtok and 28 km beyond Mangan, at roughly 1,790 m. It sits where the Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu meet to form the Teesta River, and the roads to Lachen and Lachung divide here.

What happened at Chungthang in 2023?

On the night of 3–4 October 2023, a flood from the burst South Lhonak glacial lake reached Chungthang around midnight and destroyed the 1,200 MW Teesta III dam within minutes. The town's riverside, roads and bridges were badly damaged, and North Sikkim was cut off for a long period.

Is Chungthang open for tourists?

Tours pass through Chungthang whenever the North Sikkim road and permits are open. Closures since 2023 have often been decided by road conditions around Chungthang and on the Lachen side. Check current status before you travel with your agent and the district administration.

Do I need a permit to visit Chungthang?

Chungthang has a checkpost where North Sikkim permits are checked, and travellers going on to Lachen or Lachung need the permit arranged by a registered Gangtok operator. If you want to visit Chungthang itself independently, ask the Mangan district administration about current rules.

Is there anywhere to stay in Chungthang?

There are a few small hotels, mainly used by officials, drivers and travellers held up by road closures. Rooms are basic, about ₹1,000–2,000. Most travellers stay in Lachung, Lachen, Singhik or Mangan instead, where there are more and better options.

What is the Guru Padmasambhava rock in Chungthang?

A rock that local Buddhist tradition says carries the hand and footprints of Guru Padmasambhava, with water flowing from it and a patch of paddy growing nearby from grain he scattered. Pilgrims visit and collect the water. It is folklore and faith, not documented history.

How long is the drive from Chungthang to Lachung?

About 22 km and 1–1.5 hours to Lachung, depending on road works. Lachen is about 28 km, around 1.5 hours. Since 2023 both roads have had rebuilt sections, diversions and closures. Check current status before you travel.

Why is there an army base at Chungthang?

Chungthang is the gateway to the border valleys of Lachen and Lachung, which lead toward the Tibetan plateau, so the Indian Army keeps a major forward base and medical centre here. Do not photograph military installations, vehicles or personnel anywhere in the area.

Can I see the Teesta III dam?

You can see parts of the damaged dam site from the road. Do not enter construction or security areas, and do not photograph them if signs or guards say no. The site is a reminder of the 2023 flood, so treat it with respect.