Gyalshing district, also spelt Geyzing district, is an administrative district in the state of Sikkim in north-eastern India. Its headquarters is the town of Gyalshing. The district lies in the western part of Sikkim and forms part of the Himalayan region bordering Nepal.
| Name | Gyalshing district |
|---|---|
| State | Sikkim |
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | Gyalshing (Geyzing) |
| Region | Western Sikkim |
| Type | Revenue and administrative district |
Sikkim, which became the 22nd state of the Indian Union in 1975, was historically divided into four districts: North, South, East and West. The area now known as Gyalshing district corresponds to the erstwhile West Sikkim district, with Gyalshing serving as its headquarters. In 2021, the Government of Sikkim reorganised the state into six districts, and the western district was officially renamed Gyalshing district.
The district occupies a mountainous tract of the eastern Himalayas. It shares an international boundary with Nepal to the west and lies adjacent to other Sikkim districts to the north, east and south. The terrain ranges from deep river valleys to high alpine ridges, and the Rangit river system drains much of the district. Forest cover is extensive, with subtropical, temperate and alpine vegetation occurring at successive elevations.
Gyalshing serves as the seat of the district administration, headed by a District Collector. The district is further divided into subdivisions and revenue blocks, and includes notable towns and settlements such as Pelling, Yuksom and Tashiding.
Western Sikkim, and by extension Gyalshing district, holds a central place in Sikkimese history and Buddhist heritage. Yuksom, located in the district, was the first capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim, where Phuntsog Namgyal was consecrated as the first Chogyal in 1642 by three lamas at Norbugang. The district also contains several historically and religiously important monasteries, including:
The district is also a gateway to Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the trek to the Goecha La pass beginning at Yuksom. Pelling has emerged as a significant tourism hub, known for its views of Kanchenjunga.
The economy of the district is based largely on agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and tourism. Cardamom, ginger, oranges and a variety of vegetables are grown on terraced hill slopes. Tourism, both domestic and international, contributes substantially to local livelihoods, particularly around Pelling and Yuksom.