NAMCHI , SOUTH SIKKIM
Namchi or Namtse is the capital of the district of South Sikkim in the Indian state of Sikkim. The appellation Namchi means Sky (Nam) High (Chi) in Sikkimese.
Namchi is the capital town of the district of South Sikkim. Nestled in the lap of Himalayan mountain range, at an altitude of 1315 meter, Namchi is known for its natural beauty. Namchi is known for its breath-taking scenic beauty and comparatively less crowd than other hill stations.
Chardham
Siddheshwar Chardham at Solophok, a sacred pilgrimage consisting of replicas of four famous Hindu pilgrimages – Rameshwaram Dham, Jagannath Dham, Dwaraka Dham, Badrinath Dham. There is also a beautiful temple featuring a huge statue of Lord Shiva sitting on top of the temple.
Samdruptse
A Buddhist shrine of Samdruptse hill. The awe inspiring 45m high statue of Guru Padmasambhava watching over the hills is a must see. Inside the temple below peace and quiet prevail all around. The place is dotted with manicured plants and blossoms to add to the beauty and serenity of the place.
Namchi Rock Garden
One can also explore Namchi Rock Garden. It is actually a view-point from where you get awesome view of the surrounding mountain range. The blue-green mountain wearing a veil of mist – the spiral roads carved along the green slopes – smoke coming out from small cottages down the mountain village – all contribute to form a beautiful landscape to watch at from the Rock Garden.
Namchi Bazar
After enjoying the scenic beauty, visit Namchi town. The bustling Namchi Bazar (town’s market). Local men and women wearing multicolour costumes, hues of fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers is the market which make it a vibrant place. The commercial hub of Namchi town is a well-planned and nicely decorated plaza housing shopping arcade, eateries, restaurants and entertainment centre and of course ATMs of leading banks. So you can shop freely if you have the debit card with you. From fashionable clothing, accessories and jewelry to a variety of dry fruits, handicrafts and trinkets – Namchi Bazar has a lot of things to offer.
Assangthang Helipad
Visit to Assangthang Helipad located on the top of a hill. It’s the perfect spot to get a 360-degree view of the valley below. One can enjoy awesome view of the setting sun from there.
Some other places that can also be explore are:
Temi tea garden
The one and only tea estate existing in the State produces one of the top quality teas for the international market. The tea garden spread out on a gentle hill slope originating from the Tendong Hill provides a magnificent view of the surrounding villages. The visit to the factory could be an eye opener for those wanting to know about tea processing methods. A night spent in an old British bungalow or a Getaway facility located at the tea garden could be an enthralling experience of linking the past to the present. A visit to the garden, enroute to the Tendong Hill, could be a rewarding experience for those who want to combine nature and culture as they keep trekking.
Maenam wildlife sanctuary
The Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is a treasure house of Medicine as it houses rich assortment of Medicinal plants and herbs. It covers an area of 36.34 sq km and is located on the Maenam-Tendong ridge which runs from north to south, almost bisecting Sikkim longitudinally. This sanctuary escalates to an altitude of about 10,600 ft above sea level and shelters Red Panda, Goral, Serow, Barking Deer, Marbled-Cat, Leopard-Cat, Civet-Cats, Blood Pheasant, Common Hill Partridge, Magpies, Black Eagle, and Blue necked Pita, Sunbirds and many other animals of the temperate forest.
This sanctuary is famous for trekking and its rich biodiversity. The altitude ranges between 2300 meters to 3263 meters. A fabulous trek to Maenam Peak and further to Bhaledunga originates from Ravangla passing through the virgin track of alpine forest with a commanding view of Khangchendzonga snow peaks. It takes approximately 4 hrs to trek from Ravangla
In conclusion, Namchi is a cultural haven, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in its rich cultural and religious heritage. Visiting Namchi promises an enriching experience filled with spiritual bliss and cultural delights.
