Changu Lake

The main attraction of the place is of course the lake itself. Depending on what time of year it is, you may find the lake sporting a frozen top, or reflecting the surrounding mountains in its crystal clear water. The lake is also famous for its changing colour. It is aqua marine in monsoon, while in winter the icy covering has a translucent effect; and as the summer comes, the lake turns into vibrant colours because of the colourful blossoms that are bounded along the periphery of the lake. In fact, in earlier days, Buddhist monks used to read the changing colour of the lake to predict the future. You can also take a ride on one of the many colourfully decorated yaks. If you do not want to ride a yak, you have the choice of taking a ride atop a mule, which is equally colourfully decorated. And if all this riding makes you hungry, do not worry, the place has a number of food stalls which sell the local delicacies like momo, thukpa or phagshapa. The food also forms part of the to-do list while making a trip to Lake Tsongmo. There is also a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva where you can pay a visit to. Considered as a holy lake by the Sikkimese, it is itself is very beautiful, the landscape is equally so. There are many flowering trees which when in full bloom transform the entire landscape. Some of the trees that you can see here are primulas, rhododendrons, iris, and blue and yellow poppies. The lake is also a known place where the Brahmini ducks reside. Several other species of migratory ducks come here to stop on their way to warmer locations. If you are lucky, you can spot a red panda, an animal which is now endangered.