The short answer
Dubdi Monastery: what visitors should know first
Go if you can manage a steady 45 to 60 minute uphill walk and want a quiet, old-fashioned monastery. Tell your hotel in advance, because the resident monk may need to be found to open the door. Skip it if steep, uneven paths are a problem.
History and context
The story behind Dubdi Monastery
Dubdi is attributed to Lhatsun Namkha Jigme and is dated by Wikipedia to 1701, though some writers give 1697, so treat the exact year with caution. It belongs to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism and once housed about thirty monks.
The monastery enshrines an image of Lhatsun Chempo and is said to commemorate the founding of the Sikkimese kingdom in 1642.
Useful facts
Dubdi Monastery facts at a glance
- Location
- Ridge above Yuksom, about 3 km, roughly 2,100 m
- Faith
- Tibetan Buddhism, Nyingma school
- Dedication
- Commemorates the founding of the Sikkimese kingdom
- Visitor note
- Often locked; inform the resident monk in advance
- Built
- 1701 (some sources say 1697)
Why it matters
Why Dubdi Monastery is worth your time
Dubdi is regarded as the oldest monastery in Sikkim and was built to mark the founding of the Sikkimese kingdom. It is the only survivor of four monasteries built around that time, which gives it weight beyond its small size. The name is often translated as 'the retreat', and it is also known as the Hermit's Cell.
For visitors, it is also one of the few places where you can feel Yuksom's history as a hill-and-forest setting rather than a town. The effort of reaching it is part of the experience, and the quiet that follows is a good reason to set off early.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The forest climb
A steady 45 to 60 minute walk through woodland above Yuksom; the effort is half the experience.
- 02
The gilded dome
A bell-shaped Gyaltshen crowns the flat roof of the two-storey stone building.
- 03
The painted interior
Statues of the founding lamas and a collection of manuscripts and ritual texts, if the monk can open the door.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The route begins at the upper end of Yuksom's main street, where the road forks, and you take the right-hand path uphill. Expect a steady climb through forest of about 45 to 60 minutes for a fit walker and longer for others. Go early, carry water, and wear shoes with a grip. The path can be slippery after rain, and leeches are a nuisance in the monsoon.
The monastery itself is modest: a two-storey stone building, square in plan, with a tapering tower and a gilded dome on the roof. Inside, the walls are painted and hold images, manuscripts and statues of the lamas linked to Yuksom's founding. Visitors are generally allowed in only when the resident monk is present, so confirm this beforehand or you may find the door shut.
Allow time to sit outside and enjoy the quiet; the setting is the reward. You can combine the climb with Norbugang and Kathok Lake on the same day by doing Dubdi first in the cooler morning and the park afterwards.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Ask your hotel to contact the resident monk the day before
- Start early and carry water
- Wear walking shoes with grip; avoid the climb after heavy rain
- Remove shoes before entering and ask before photographing
- Leave a donation rather than a tip
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Forested ridge about 3 km above Yuksom, at roughly 2,100 m
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours including the walk up and down
- Best time
- Morning on a clear day; March to May and September to November
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- The path is a steady uphill climb of about an hour on uneven ground, with no real seating or handrails. It is hard going for people with knee or breathing problems. A hired vehicle is not a dependable alternative, so ask locally before relying on one.
- Tickets and access
- No formal ticket has been reported. Inform the resident monk or ask your hotel to arrange access in advance, because the monastery is often locked. Leave a donation, remove shoes at the door and ask before taking photographs inside.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Dubdi Monastery
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
The path is a steady uphill climb of about an hour on uneven ground, with no real seating or handrails. It is hard going for people with knee or breathing problems. A hired vehicle is not a dependable alternative, so ask locally before relying on one.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Dubdi from Yuksom?
About 3 km, an uphill walk of roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Allow longer if you are slower on steep ground.
Can I always go inside?
No. The monastery is often closed and the one resident monk needs to be informed so the door can be opened. Confirm before you climb.
Is it the oldest monastery in Sikkim?
It is described as the oldest in the state, although the founding year is given as 1701 in some sources and 1697 in others.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.