The Bhaleydhunga Ropeway at Yangang Sikkim’s latest tourist attraction

The Bhaleydhunga Ropeway is situated in the picturesque village of Yangang in South Sikkim. 
The project was planned by the  Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation under the Government of  Sikkim. It was initiated in November 2016 by constructing a ropeway connecting Dhapper, located at the foothills of the Yangang area, to Bhaleydhunga, a mountain peak. This initiative was taken, baring in mind to boost tourism in the region and throughout Sikkim.

The ropeway journey begins at Dhapper which is located at about 5 km above Yangang Bazar, and ascends towards the summit of Bhaleydhunga at a height of 9918 feet. From this vantage point, visitors are treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga in all its magnificent glory. In winter, the area often experiences beautiful snowfall, while during the spring season, the region comes alive with vibrant blooms of flowers.

You will get to experience the beautiful moss forest, the open blue sky, a beautiful sunrise and one of the best views of  Mt. Kanchenjunga from the view point. If you are lucky enough you will catch sight of Mrs. Gould's sunbird, Green tailed sunbird, yellow cheeked tit, striated laughingthrush, yellow billed blue magpie, red billed leiothrix etc. The view of the oak and Rhodendron forest against the 180 degree mountain range on a clear day is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Features of Bhaleydhunga Ropeway:

The ropeway features a Mono Cable Detachable system, capable of transporting up to 400 passengers per hour. At present it has 18 cabins, each with a seating capacity for 8 passengers, and supported by 18 towers. 
The towers are built in rugged terrain covered with dense forests and the system is designed to operate at a maximum speed of 6 m/s, with the flexibility to adjust speeds between 0 to 6 m/s. The technology of the cable cars complies with the latest European standards supplied from France from a  leading provider of ropeway and urban mobility systems.

The Bhaleydhunga Ropeway is approximately 3.5 kilometers. The two-way fare for the ropeway is Rs 950 per adult, which includes all taxes. Children below the age of 3 can ride for free of charge.  The ropeway timings are from 11 am to 3 pm on all days except Thursdays when it stays shut for maintenance work.

About Yangang, South Sikkim:

The name Yangang has often been mispronounced or misspelt as Yang Yang and not Yangang. It is noteworthy to remember here that “gang” in the local dialect means hilltop.
Yangang, is a small village in the district of Namchi in South Sikkim. It is an ideal place to spend the weekend in the lap of nature. It is covered with lush green jungles on one side and the rolling mountains on the other side. Resting on the edge of a hill the Yangyang Bungalow overlooks the  Bhaleydunga Hill and the deep valleys of the Teesta River. It is 369kms from Gangtok and located close to many tourist sightseeing places nearby like The Buddha Park, Temi Tea Gardens, Namchi etc.

The Folklore of Bhaleydhunga:

The name Bhaleydhunga is derived from the Nepali language, where Bhaley means "male peasant" and Dhunga means "stone." This name is tied to various folklore and  is believed that across from Bhaleydhunga lies another cliff called Pothedhunga, where Pothe means "female pheasant" and Dhunga means "stone." This represents the unfinished love story of two birds, a mystery that remains unsolved. Locals often report hearing the sorrowful crowing of a male rooster, believed to express the grief of lost love at certain times of the year.
The area is also regarded as sacred or holy, with the belief that any unusual activity can lead to physical or mental ailments. Additionally, such actions are thought to bring about a sudden change in the weather, such as heavy rainfall or strong winds, which can make travel difficult.

The once-idyllic village of Bhaleydhunga thrived in peace, with the locals living in harmony as they hunted, gathered, and tended to their crops. High up in the valley, two Kalij Pheasants, a male and female, made their home. The male pheasant would often crow, expressing his love and longing for his mate. However, disaster struck when the female pheasant responded with a crow of her own, a sound the superstitious villagers considered to be a bad omen. In their fear and ignorance, they killed the female pheasant, unknowingly triggering a catastrophic landslide that destroyed the entire village.
Now, the male pheasant continues to crow endlessly, hoping for an answer from his lost love, but his calls are met with silence. The once-thriving village lies in ruins, serving as a tragic reminder of the dire consequences of superstition and ignorance.

In addition to its stunning natural beauty, the area holds great spiritual significance and hence visitors are requested to  preserve its sanctity and tranquility. One can get a full panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and experience the awe-inspiring sight of the guardian deity from the viewpoint, offering a thrilling, unobstructed view of this majestic peak.

How to reach Bhaleydhunga Ropeway:

The traditional way to reach Bhaleydhunga is by trekking, which can begin either from Yangang or from Ravangla, located near Buddha Park in South Sikkim. Besides that the regular way to get to Yangang and then to The Bhaledhunga Ropeway is by taking any of the below options - 
By Air : The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, located 126 km away, which is about a 4-hour drive. You have to hire a taxi from the airport or reach Siliguri if you want to opt for a bus or shared taxi.
By Railways : The nearest railway station is NJP (New Jalpaiguri), situated 120 km away, approximately a 4-hour drive. There are very few shared cabs going from here, so you will need to reserve a taxi or reach Siliguri for more options.
By Road : You can hire a vehicle from either Gangtok or Siliguri to Yangang. There are shared jeeps available to Yangang from both cities but they are very less in numbers. There is one state bus that runs everyday from both cities.

Where to stay in Yangang:

Dhuni Homestay - One of the best options for travellers to stay in Yangang is Dhuni Homestay, set in a beautiful location amidst the rolling hills of rural South Sikkim.
In words of the proprietor Mr Mandeep himself -  “The vision for Dhuni Homestay is to create a sustainable and eco-friendly retreat that offers guests an authentic experience of the Sikkimese culture and hospitality. We aspire to be a model of responsible tourism, where the beauty of Sikkim can be enjoyed while maintaining minimal environmental impact. Our commitment to zero-waste practices, organic farming, and community involvement is at the heart of this vision.”

Facilities like camping, bonfire, barbeque and parking are available onsite. What stands out for this property is the fact that both the husband and wife duo that run this property are hands on with and very involved be it their farm to plate initiative where they serve organic food and vegetables grown in their own garden. One can also partake in the paddy cultivation during the sowing season or plant a tree while there. They regularly take part in the plastic waste management system and also hold yoga and meditation camps from time to time. 
If you are someone looking for an off beat adventure in the Himalayas, close to nature with a holistic approach to life then Dhuni Homestay is your call to answer.

There are a total of 2 guest rooms with a maximum capacity of 6 persons. Visitors can enjoy simple village food prepared fresh by the host and take tranquil nature walks to the nearby river and villages.  

Sinclairs Yangang - Spread over one acre of land, Sinclairs Yangang is situated close to the main Rangang Road in South Sikkim, about 55 kilometres from Gangtok. The location is picturesque and you get a panoramic view of the Maenam Hills popularly known as Bhalay-Dhunga, part of the Kanchenjunga mountain range.

Surrounded by rolling mountains on one side and dense green forests on the other and situated between the fascinating Temi Tea Estate and the iconic Buddha Park of Ravangla, Yangang in South Sikkim is an alluring tourist destination.

It is a well designed property with mountain facing rooms and facilities like WiFi, Room Service, laundry,  In house Restaurant, travel desk, 24 hour front office, free parking and driver’s accommodation.

Written by Prerna:

Prerna, a seasoned travel & hospitality expert, isn't just a writer – she's a curator of experiences. Leading OurGuest's operations at The Barfung Retreat, she leverages her extensive background at Taj, Hyatt, ITC, and more. A Master's graduate in English Literature, Prerna's passion for storytelling is fueled by her childhood spent traversing India with her police officer father. Fluent in Bengali, Hindi, English, and Nepali, she fosters genuine connections across cultures. Join Prerna as she unveils the hidden gems and vibrant soul of Northeast India, one captivating story at a time.

For a customized Sikkim tour experience you can contact us at +91-7669503993 or email to contact@ourguest.in