NE India
Namchi
Capital of South Sikkim
Subhrajyoti07 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Sikkim
Capital of South Sikkim
Namchi, meaning 'top of the sky', is the capital of South Sikkim and one of the state's fastest-growing towns, set on a ridge with sweeping views of the Kanchenjunga range. It has become a major pilgrimage and tourism centre thanks to two remarkable projects on the hills above it.
At Samdruptse stands one of the tallest statues of Guru Padmasambhava in the world, while at Solophok the Char Dham complex recreates the four great Hindu pilgrimage sites of India around a giant statue of Shiva. Together with tea gardens, flower shows and the nearby hill retreat of Ravangla, Namchi anchors a rich southern Sikkim circuit.
Photo: Subhrajyoti07 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
What it's known for
- The capital of South Sikkim and a pilgrimage hub
- The giant Guru Padmasambhava statue at Samdruptse
- The Char Dham complex at Solophok
- Tea gardens, flower shows and Kanchenjunga views
Explore
What to see in & around Namchi
See & do
- Samdruptse — the giant Guru Rinpoche statue
- The Char Dham (Siddhesvara Dham) complex at Solophok
- Temi tea garden, Sikkim's only tea estate
- Nearby Ravangla and the Buddha Park at Rabong
Getting there
About 4 hours by road from Bagdogra/NJP, or 2.5–3 hours from Gangtok. No permit to enter Sikkim.