Shingba
Rhododendron Sanctuary is perhaps the best place to spot 20 different
species of rhododendrons in Sikkim, India. Located in the sublime
Yumthang Valley, Shingba Sanctuary can be reached easily from Mangan in
the northern part of Sikkim. Ranging between the elevations of 3048 to
4575 meters, Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a striking place to view
flora and fauna in their full glory.The spring season is regarded as the best time to visit, when rhododendrons blossom to their apex in the sanctuary. Shingba Sanctuary is enclosed by Chomzomei Tso broadening up to Lava pass in the west. To its south, Shingba Sanctuary is delimited by the angelic Yumthang Valley that is renowned for its alpine meadow and sublime beauty; whereas in the east, it is bordered by Chuba - Sagochen mountain ranges.
The Sanctuary also embraces the Yumthang River that flows through its periphery. On the banks of river, one can trace long queues of Rhododendron trees and shrubs. Apart from Rhododendrons, the sanctuary also boasts of primulas, potentillas, gentians, saxifrages, poppies, aconites larch, juniper, maple along with rambling lichens. You can also see silver fir and well-groomed thick mat of moss shielding the soil.
Talking about the fauna, the sanctuary has a small populace of wildlife like Tigers, Civets and Blood Pheasants. Lachung is the last village that is to be found prior to Shingba Sanctuary. This is the only place, where you can accommodate yourself, in the vicinity of the Sanctuary. By and large, it can be said that Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary is a nice place to explore the vegetation and fauna in their natural habitat.
