Lachung is a town in northeast Sikkim, India. It is located in the North Sikkim district and is near the border with China. Lachung is at an elevation of about 9,600 ft or 3,000 m and at the confluence of the Lachen River and Lachung Rivers, tributaries of the River Teesta. The word Lachung means "small mountain". The town is approximately 125 km from the capital Gangtok.

The Indian Army has a forward base in the town. Before the annexation of Tibet in 1950, Lachung 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. Tourist 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 has been described as the "most picturesque village of Sikkim" by British explorer Joseph Dalton Hooker in his definitive, The Himalayan Journal (1855).

October-June

Lachung By Trains

Trains can be taken directly to the railway station in New Jalpaiguri, which is located near Siliguri. This is a major railway station that is located at a distance of around 139 kilometers from Lachung. There are three railway stations in Lachung, and trains from all major Indian destinations will be available to this railway station. Train fares will be cheaper than bus fares, but tickets need to be booked at least two months in advance. Regular trains will be available from Jhajha, Alipur Duar, Howrah, Chennai and New Delhi. 

Lachung By Flight

Lachung does not have an airport, and the nearest airport is Bagdogra, at a distance of 128 kms from Lachung. Bagdogra is connected to 3 other Indian cities. The airlines servicing Bagdogra are Air India, Air India-IC, Go Air, Go Business, IndiGo, Jet Airways Konnect, Jet Airways, JetLite, Kingfisher Red, Kingfisher and SpiceJet.

By road

The North Sikkim Highway is the major means of road travel to and around Lachung.