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Yumthang Hot Springs : Photographs of the natural scenes of Switzerland and Yumthang valley look so similar that it is difficult to distinguish between them. Yumthang which is at an altitude of 3658m (12000 ft) is situated about 135 kilometers from Gangtok in North Sikkim. But going there is like traveling 135 years back in time-it is so remote and almost untouched by the vagaries of civilization. It is well known for its hot springs to reach that one has to walk a few hundred yards from the road and across a pedestrian bridge on the River Lachung. For the convenience of bathers a hut with two pools in which the hot spring water collects has been constructed. Hot water rich in sulphur, emanates from a spring just behind the hut and is diverted to the pools. It is difficult to imagine that water so hot in its natural from could be found in a place so cold.Yumthang is now open to foreigners and has also caught the fancy of filmmakers and a part of some movies have been shot here.Although Yumthang itself is located on a flat valley and is near the tree line, the surrounding mountains seem to touch the heavens. The route to Yumthang from Lachung-adjoining the Singba Forest Reserve-has a very picturesque landscape and is lined with rhododendrons which bloom at their best in May. What is particularly interesting about the rhododendrons of the Yumthang valley is that they bloom in different colour unlike those in other parts of Sikkim, which are usually red.Tourists require an Inner Line permit that can be obtained with the help of the travel agent to visit this place. Blue Sky Tours and Travels (225113, 223330) particularly specialize in package tours to North Sikkim and also have many resorts in the Lachung area. Visitors are not permitted to take their private vehicles to Yumthang. Yumthang has a Forest Department Rest House but tourists are normally accommodated at the Tourist Lodge named Yaksey 6 kms from Lachung towards Yumthang. Yumthang itself has no population and the few yak herders around one nomadic.Another 23 kilometers ahead of Yumthang

Purchacu Reshi Hot spring: These hot springs are located about 25 kilometers from Gyalshing near Reshi on the River Rangit. One has to walk about ten minutes from the highway across the River Rangit by a pedestrian bridge to reach the hot springs. The water of these springs has medicinal value as it contains sulphur and can cure some skin diseases. People from all over the state and neighboring Darjeeling come here during the winter months and spend days together lying submerged in the soothing water of the hot spring. There are a couple of trekkers’ huts for the convenience of the tourist.These springs also considered very holy, as one of the four caves is located here. This holy cave is called Kadosang phu or cave of the occult fairies and lies on the south of the four cardinal points. Although approachable from West District, the hot spring and the cave are in fact located on the border of South District.

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