Gangtok (Sikkim), India

Capital City

With a population of 657,876, Gangtok is hardly the quaint mountain town its tourism brochures depict. Perched at over 5,400 feet in the treacherous Himalayas, this crowded capital faces persistent landslide risks and seismic instability. The endless bureaucracy and infrastructure shortfalls are a daily headache for residents, who contend with patchy electricity, inadequate sanitation, and haphazard development. Yet the city's economy remains heavily dependent on the fickle tourism industry, which brings in an estimated ₹500 million annually. Gangtok may offer stunning mountain vistas, but its harsh climate, remote location, and environmental vulnerabilities make it a poor choice for all but the most intrepid.