The name Namchi means the top of the sky, which is a renowned tourist place of Sikkim. Namchi is filled with a number of picturesque locations that offer peaceful environments, stunning sceneries and places to spend your leisure time. There are also a number of occasions around Namchi that offer stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga.
While you are visiting Namchi, you must make sure to visit the popular destinations around Namchi to witness the beautiful locations. Here are some locations that you must include on your itinerary while planning your trip to Namchi:
Here is the list of Places to visit in Namchi
- Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tendong State Biodiversity Park
- Serdup Choling Monastery
- Solophok Chardham
- Ngadak Monastery
- Doling Gompa
- Tendong Hill
- Samdruptse Hill
Places to visit in Namchi
Here is the list of the 8 places that you must visit on your Namchi trip to enjoy the nature as well as come across the warm hospitality of the Lepchas.
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the popular sanctuary of Sikkim that has a number of different medicinal plants and is a suitable place for nature lovers. The peaceful ambience of the sanctuary will help you feel connected to the nature. This sanctuary is located at an elevation of between 2100 meters to 3000 meters above the sea level.
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary Travel Tips
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 29.2 km from Namchi and will require approximately an hour to reach the destination. This sanctuary is open on all days and the timings to visit is between 6 AM to 5 PM.
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary Facts
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 3539 hectares offering a large area to offers sufficient place to the animals to live in a better manner. This sanctuary is maintained by the State Forest Department under the Government of Sikkim.
Highlights
In Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, you can witness a number of different animals such as civet cats, marbled cat, leopard cat, barking deer, goral, serow, red panda and many more. Moreover, you can also witness a number of different birds such as, black eagle, sunbird, blue necked pita, magpies, blood pheasant, common hill partridge and others.
Tendong State Biodiversity Park
Tendong State Biodiversity Park is situated in the south district of Sikkim that has a rich flora and fauna. You can witness diversity of the flora and fauna in the natural environment that will offer you a great experience. The park is located at an elevation of 1400 meters above the sea level.
Tendong State Biodiversity Park Travel Tips
The best time to visit Tendong State Biodiversity Park is during the months of March and May, when one can experience soothing weather. The park is situated at a distance of 15.4 km that takes around 25 minutes to reach from Namchi.
Tendong State Biodiversity Park Facts
The Tendong State Biodiversity Park is maintained by the Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife, Government of Sikkim that ensures extension, propagation, conservation and protection of genetic resources of the state. This park is spread across an area of 255 hectares of land.
Highlights
Tendong State Biodiversity Park is rich in a variety of plants and animal species. The park consists of trees like Alder, Oak, Chestnut and Walnut. Some of the species that are present within the biodiversity park consists of flying squirrels, barking deer and others.
Serdup Choling Monastery
Serdup Choling Monastery is a place of Buddhist worship that has a scenic backdrop of Mount Kanchenjunga that offers the visitors with stunning scenario. This monastery is a sacred place of worship that offers spiritual tranquility to the visitors.
Serdup Choling Monastery Travel Tips
The best time to visit Serdup Choling Monastery is during the summer season that exists between the months of March to June. The monastery is situated at a distance of 1.7 km that will take around 5 minutes to reach the destination.
Serdup Choling Monastery Facts
Serdup Choling Monastery was built back in the year 1967 by late Serdup Dungzin Jigme Wangchuk Rinpoche and his brother late Khachoed Tulku Dudjom Dorjee.
Highlights
In this monastery, the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism is being followed. The monastery houses three statues of Tri Detson, Santaraksita and Guru Rinpoche. The sacred aura of the monastery helps in adding charm to Namchi as a tourist spot as well as attracting spiritual enthusiasts from different parts of India.
Solophok Chardham
Solophok Chardham, also known as Siddheshwar Dham, has become a pilgrimage cum cultural centre that is made on the Solophok hill in the South Sikkim. The stunning imitation present in this monastery makes it a must visit place in Sikkim.
Solophok Chardham Travel Tips
The best time to visit Solophok Chardham is during October to March when the weather will remain enjoyable and you can explore the religious replicas and idols placed within the premises of the Chardham. This Chardham is located at a distance of 5.3 km that will take around 14 minutes to reach this destination from Namchi.
Solophok Chardham Facts
In Solophok Chardham, you can witness the twelve jyotirlingas along with the four Dham’s that are actually placed in four different states of India. The area of the complex is around 7 acres which includes the 4 Dham’s as well as 12 jyotilingas.
Highlights
Solophok Chardham consists of a 26.5 meters high statue of Lord Shiva in a sitting position. This sacred place has the exact replicas of four Dham’s namely, Jagannath from the East, Dwarka from the West, Rameshwaram from the South and Badrinath from the North. A number of devotees visit this destination, especially the devotees of Lord Shiva.
Ngadak Monastery
Ngadak Monastery reflects spirituality and charm when the visitors visit this place. This monastery was built by Tensung Namgyal during the reign of Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal as a palace for her highness Pendi Ongmu. The name Ngadak means promise, which is believed that anyone coming here makes a promise to visit this place once again. The monastery is one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim.
Ngadak Monastery Travel Tips
The best time to visit Ngadak Monastery is between the months of March and June, when you can find a soothing weather and clear skies. The monastery is located at a distance of 4 km and will take only 10 minutes to reach the destination. The monastery is open to the public throughout the week from 5 AM to 6 PM.
Ngadak Monastery Facts
After the earthquake destroyed parts of the old monastery, a new monastery was built near the old monastery. The palace to the queen was turned into a monastery that serves as a testimony to the old religious culture of Sikkim.
Highlights
Back in the 17th century, due to an earthquake, the monastery suffered severe damage. If you visit the monastery at present then you can find that the monastery is supported by iron railings and a new structure of the monastery is being constructed.
Doling Gompa
Doling Gompa is a serene and beautiful place located near Namchi that also offers scenic views of the surrounding area to the visitors. This Gompa is located on a little hillock near the Barfung town which has colourful flags surrounding the place.
Doling Gompa Travel Tips
The gompa is open to the public on all days of the week from 7 AM to 5 PM. The gompa is situated at a distance of 30.2 km and takes around 1 hour and 2 minutes to reach the destination. The visitors are needed to trek from Barfung retreat by climbing more than 500 stairs to cut the slope. The best time to visit this gompa is during the months of September to mid December or between the months of February and May, when you can witness a pleasurable climate.
Doling Gompa Facts
The Doling Gompa follows the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This gompa was established by Lama Rigdzin Longyang back in the year 1718. It is also considered to be one of the oldest monasteries of Sikkim with a rich history.
Highlights
The monastery features the footprint of Dorje Lingpa that is placed on the inner wall of Mani Lhakhang along with other images of Dorje Lingpa and Vajrapani that are carved by Dorje Lingpa himself.
Tendong Hill
Tendong Hill is yet another enchanting location that is placed above Damthang. The tourists visiting this destination finds peace amidst the nature due to the rich green vegetation. Tendong Hill is situated at an elevation of 8530 feet above the sea level and surrounds a local myth that that land rose itself during heavy flood to save people.
Tendong Hill Travel Tips
The best time to visit Tendong Hill is during the summer season which exists during months of March to June. One has to trek a distance of 6 km from Damthang to reach Tendong Hill. The hill is situated at a distance of 100.3 km from Namchi and requires a tie period of around 18 minutes to reach, from where one has to trek to reach the top of the hill.
Tendong Hill Facts
The word Tendong means apprised horn and has a watchtower and monastery located at the top of the hill. The monastery is named Tendong Gumpa, which is a Tibean Buddhist monastery. The Lepchas celebrate Tendong Lho rum feat to honor the hill for saving their ancestors.
Highlights
Tendong Hill has offered shelter to over 90 species of birds and a number of mammals around the zone such as, leopards, red panda, Himalayan bears and many others. You can also obtain a mesmerizing view from the three storeyed watchtower of the eastern Himalayas. There is also a small monastery located atop the hill.
Samdruptse Hill
Samdruptse Hill is also referred to as the wish fulfilling hill, which is located at an elevation of 7000 feet above the sea level. One can witness the majestic view of Mt Kanchenjunga from this hill along with other hills rich in dense forests.
Samdruptse Hill Travel Tips
The best time to visit Samdruptse Hill is between the months of September to mid December or between the months of February and May, when the weather remains pleasant and you can also attain a clear view of the surrounding environment. The entry fee to visit this hill is ₹30.
Samdruptse Hill Facts
Samdruptse Hill is believed to be a dormant volcano and only the prayers have held its lava from erupting out of the volcano. The construction of the statue of Guru Rinpoche took a time of approximately 7 years to be completed, under the sponsorship of Sikkim government.
Highlights
The Samdruptse Hill features a statue of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Guru Padmasambhava that is 45 meters tall and has been showering its blessing over the visitors from over 1200 years. The statue is covered with gold and when the sunrays strikes at the idol, it sparkles, offering a stunning scenario for the visitors.
Also read: Must Visit Tourist Places in Namchi
Frequently Asked Question
What is Namchi famous for?
Namchi, a picturesque hamlet in southern Sikkim, India, which is renowned for its massive statue of Padmasam bhava, the state’s patron saint. Other attractions include Tendong Hill, Char Dham, Samdruptse Hill, and Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Is Namchi worth visiting?
Yes, Namchi is worth visiting for its natural beauty, rich history, unique handicraft souvenirs, and several scenic vistas.
Which is better Namchi or Pelling?
Both Namchi and Pelling are lovely locations to visit in Sikkim. Some think Pelling is preferable for a night’s stay, while Namchi is better if you don’t have much time.
What is the entry fee for Namchi?
There is no entry charge to visit Namchi, however, certain sites may need it. Char Dham: INR 50 per adult, INR 30 per vehicle; Namchi Rock Garden: INR 30 per adult.
Namchi Ropeway charges INR 300 for adults and INR 150 for children.
How much is a taxi from NJP to Namchi?
The taxi rate from NJP to Namchi is around ₹3800 for a nice sedan vehicle like Etios or Dzire, and ₹5600 for an SUV.
Which is the nearest station to Namchi?
New Jalpaiguri railway station in Siliguri, West Bengal, is the closest train station to Namchi that is situated at a distance of 98 km via NH10.
