Namchi, the district headquarters, is a well laid out township that has major monasteries like Ahlay Monastery of the Tamang community and Nagadak Monastery nearby.
The 135ft. high statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Samdruptse has already become popular among tourists and the local alike.
Around 6kms. From Namchi town, just above Ngadak Monastery, is the beautiful Rock Garden where one find some of the rare flowers, orchids and timbur, a sour citrus that is a medicinal plant for liver and chest congestion. The gtea Estate, Sikkimarden is created articially and has a children’s playground, which may be among the higest in the world.
On the way from Singtam going towards Namchi, one is greeted by miles and miles of green shrubbery of Teni Tea Estate, an organic tea garden.
Fourteen kms north of Namchi is the State Biodiversity Park and come up in the entire country. This park is not only a representative conservation unit for the sub-tropical and temperate flore and fauna of the state but also a major centre for nature education, awareness and recreation.
Witness the first rats of the sun on the snowy peaks of Mt. Narsing, Jopuna, Kabur, Rathong and Pandim of the Singalila range. A spectacle to behold on the road to Damthang, 8km. from Ravangla.
Situated 18kms. From Ravangla is the Temi Tea Estate, the only tea garden in Sikkim. Established in the 1960’s by the last king, Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, the tea proiduced here has a rare combination of liquor and flavor and fetches some of the highest rates offered in the international markets. Visitors can observe the processing of the tea in the factory and buy tea there at the sales outlet.
Tinkitam is a quaint Sikkimese village 6 km from Ravangala and the natural habitat of a rare species of orchid- Paphiopeddilum Faireanum or ‘lady’s, as it is commonly known. Unlike most wild orchids which grow on trees, this orchide is terrestrial and flowers in October / November.
Legend has it that the 12th Karmapa, head of the Kagyupa sect, gave his blessings by throwing some grains of rice from Tibet ; on the site where these grains of rice landed was built the Karma Rabtenling Monastery in 1768. Pang Lhabsol and Kagyed (masked dances) are held every year. The new monastery, Palchen Choeling Monastic Institue was built by the XII Gyaltsab Rinpoche and completed in 1995. It is the site of site of the sacred Mahakala Dance performed every November.
The Bon Monastery at Kewzing, 5 kms. from Ravangla, is the only one of its kind in Sikkim. It the a symbol of the determination of a community to preserve their religious traditions. Located 2 kms from Kewzing bazaar is the Mangbrue Gompa, which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. The invading Bhhutanese army used this strategic location in the 19th century and the ruins of their bunkers and outposts can still be seen.
Rangit Water World- the dam built across the Rangit River has formed a unique water boby. Situated 26 kms. Downhill from Ravangla, it is an ideal place for fun with boating in rafts, fishing and swimming.
72 kms from Gunstock near Namchi in South Sikkim is Samsruptse which means in Bhatia langue “The Wish Fulfilling Hill”. A135 ft unique statue of Guru Padmasambhava is installed at the top of Samdruptse. H. H. Dalai Lama laid the foundation stone of the statue on 22.10.1997. It is said to be the highest statue of Guru Padmasambhava in the world. It took 1000 labourers and scores of experienced engineers and highly skilled architects and sculptors nearly three years to complete this awe inspiring and towering statue.
Namchi, meaning ‘Sky High’, nestled among the hills at an eklavation of 4400 ft. Commands panoramic view of the snow –capped mountains and vast stretches of valley. It is also the Headquarters of the South District. The area is fast developing into a tourist destination with its immense potential for all round tourist activities. It is about 78 kms from Gangtok and 100kms from Siliguri. A106 feet high statue of Lord Shiva at Sholopok near Namchi is being installed.