Lachung is a town and hill station in Mangan district in northeast Indian state of Sikkim. It is approx. 50 km Mangan town, the district headquarters. It is located in the Mangan district near the border with Tibet.[1] Lachung is at an elevation of about 9,600 feet (2,900 m) and at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung Rivers, both tributaries of the River Teesta. The word Lachung means "small pass". The town is approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi) from the capital Gangtok.

Lachung
Lachung is located in Sikkim
Lachung
Lachung
Location in Sikkim, India
Lachung is located in India
Lachung
Lachung
Lachung (India)
Coordinates: 27°41′24″N 88°44′46″E / 27.690°N 88.746°E / 27.690; 88.746
Country India
StateSikkim
DistrictMangan
Elevation
2,700 m (8,900 ft)
Languages
 • OfficialSikkimese, Nepali, Lepcha, Limbu, Newari, Rai, Gurung, Mangar, Sherpa, Tamang and Sunwar
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationSK-03

The Indian Army has a forward base in the town. Before the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1950, Lachung [2] was a trading post between Sikkim and Tibet, after which it was closed down. The town's economy has been boosted by tourism in recent years as the region has been opened up by the Indian government. Tourists come from all over the world to visit the town between October and May, mostly on their way to the Yumthang Valley and the Lachung Monastery. Most of Lachung's inhabitants are of Lepcha and Tibetan descent. Languages spoken here are Nepali, Lepcha and Bhutia. During winter the town is usually covered in snow. Lachung is also the base camp for Rhododendron Valley Trek which starts from Yumthang Valley and ends at Lachen Valley.

Lachung has been described as the "most picturesque village of Sikkim" by British explorer Joseph Dalton Hooker in his definitive, The Himalayan Journal (1855). Skiing is conducted in Phuni near this town.

Climate

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Climate data for Auli
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.8
(47.8)
10
(50)
13.1
(55.6)
16.2
(61.2)
18.5
(65.3)
19.6
(67.3)
20.2
(68.4)
19.9
(67.8)
18.8
(65.8)
16.9
(62.4)
13
(55)
10
(50)
15.4
(59.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.3
(22.5)
−3.7
(25.3)
−0.4
(31.3)
3.1
(37.6)
6.5
(43.7)
10.1
(50.2)
11.6
(52.9)
11.1
(52.0)
9.5
(49.1)
4
(39)
−1.1
(30.0)
−4
(25)
3.5
(38.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15
(0.6)
34
(1.3)
57
(2.2)
83
(3.3)
104
(4.1)
168
(6.6)
219
(8.6)
185
(7.3)
146
(5.7)
61
(2.4)
17
(0.7)
6
(0.2)
1,095
(43)
Source: https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/sikkim/lachung-633509/

Banking Facilities in Lachung

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State Bank of India is operating a branch in Lachung.

References

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  1. ^ "Lachung Village Population - Chungthang - North Sikkim, Sikkim".
  2. ^ "Lachung | Popular Destination in Sikkim". baikunthpur tours and travels. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  3. ^ "STATE BANK OF INDIA, LACHUNG".