Rabdentse Ruins, West Sikkim, India

TRabdentse, near Pelling, served as the second capital of the kingdom of Sikkim. It was established in 1670 when Chadok Namgyal shifted the capital to here from Yuksom. To protect the kingdom from the repeated Gurkha attacks from Nepal, Tshudpud Namgyal shifted the capital to Tumlong in 1793. The city was completely destroyed and left in ruins after the final fatal attack by the invading Gurkha army in 1814. Sitting atop a hill and reached via a 20 minute walk through woods, the ruins offers fantastic views of the surrounding valley and the Kanchenjunga range. One of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, Pemayangtse Monastery, is located next to the Rabdenste ruins.