The short answer
Pelling Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue: what visitors should know first
Yes, if the glass floor and the statue itself interest you more than genuine antiquity — this is a 2018 construction, not a historic site. Go in clear weather for the Kanchenjunga backdrop, and expect crowds and a queue for the glass section on weekends.
History and context
The story behind Pelling Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue
Sikkim's government laid the foundation stone for the project in 2009, with the ceremony consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama, but construction and fitting out took close to a decade. The completed statue and skywalk opened to the public on 1 November 2018, since when it has become one of West Sikkim's most visited sites.
Useful facts
Pelling Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue facts at a glance
- Location
- Sangdapthang, above Pelling town
- Experience type
- Statue plaza and glass-floored viewing platform
- Known for
- 42-metre (137 ft) Chenrezig statue and a glass skywalk
- Architect/Built
- Foundation laid 2009; opened 1 November 2018
- Time or schedule
- Daytime hours, closes by early evening — confirm locally
Why it matters
Why Pelling Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue is worth your time
The Chenrezig statue and skywalk is one of Sikkim's few major religious-tourism projects built specifically for visitors rather than grown organically around an older shrine, reflecting a deliberate state effort to draw tourism to West Sikkim beyond the older monastery circuit. Its scale — a 42-metre statue and a purpose-built glass platform at over 7,000 feet — is unusual for the region and has made it one of the most shared images of Pelling online.
For visitors weighing up an itinerary heavy with older monasteries and ruins, the skywalk offers a different, more contemporary way to engage with the same Buddhist iconography, and its ease of access makes it one of the few sites in Pelling that genuinely suits every mobility level in the same visit.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The Chenrezig statue
At 137 feet, the bronze figure of the bodhisattva of compassion is visible from several points in Pelling town below.
- 02
The glass skywalk
A short cantilevered glass section over the ridge slope, promoted as India's first when it opened in 2018.
- 03
The valley view
On clear days, the platform looks out over the Teesta and Rangeet valleys toward Kanchenjunga.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The skywalk sits on a ridge above Pelling, its foundation stone laid in 2009 and consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama, though the finished complex only opened to visitors in November 2018. Golden prayer wheels line the staircase up to a plaza dominated by a 137-foot bronze statue of Chenrezig, the bodhisattva of compassion, visible from parts of Pelling town below.
The skywalk proper is a curved glass walkway cantilevered out from the ridge, giving a straight-down view of the forested slope beneath your feet — advertised as India's first glass skywalk when it opened. It is a short walk, more novelty than endurance test, and most visitors spend the bulk of their time at the statue plaza and the viewpoints either side rather than on the glass itself.
On a clear day the site looks out over the Teesta and Rangeet valleys with Kanchenjunga in the distance; on a cloudy one, which is common, you are mainly left with the statue and the prayer wheels, which are still worth the short visit.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Buy the glass-floor ticket separately at the counter if you want it
- Wear socks — fabric shoe covers go over your footwear on the glass
- Go later in the afternoon for softer light and thinner crowds
- Check weather before going; the valley view depends entirely on visibility
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Sangdapthang, a short drive above Pelling town
- Time needed
- 45–75 minutes
- Best time
- Late afternoon in clear weather, October–April, when the light and mountain visibility are best
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Level paved paths and a ramp lead to the viewing platform, making this one of the more accessible attractions in Pelling; the glass floor itself can feel disorienting, so those uneasy with heights can skip that section and still see the statue and views.
- Tickets and access
- Entry is ticketed at the gate, with a separate, smaller fee to walk onto the glass floor; shoes are usually covered with fabric slip-ons before stepping onto the glass, and photography rules can change, so check on arrival.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Pelling Skywalk & Chenrezig Statue
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Level paved paths and a ramp lead to the viewing platform, making this one of the more accessible attractions in Pelling; the glass floor itself can feel disorienting, so those uneasy with heights can skip that section and still see the statue and views.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is the Pelling skywalk worth the entry fee?
For the statue and views, most visitors find it worthwhile; the glass floor itself is a short novelty rather than a long attraction.
Is the skywalk structurally safe?
It is a purpose-built glass-floored platform engineered as a public attraction and has operated since 2018 without notable safety concerns reported, but always follow posted staff instructions.
Can wheelchair users visit?
The main plaza and statue area are on a ramped, level path, making this one of the more accessible sites in Pelling, though check current conditions with staff before your visit.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
