South Sikkim is the gentlest part of the state – lower, greener and warmer, with wide views of the Kanchenjunga range and the plains of Bengal. Its headquarters, Namchi, has become one of Sikkim's main pilgrimage and sightseeing centres. Most visitors see South Sikkim on the drive from Gangtok to Pelling, which turns a long transfer into one of the best days of the tour.
Namchi
Namchi, meaning "sky high", sits on a hill above the Rangit valley. It is well connected by road to Gangtok, Pelling, Jorethang and Siliguri, and is the base for the attractions below. See our dedicated Namchi guide for more.
Char Dham (Siddhesvara Dham)
Opened in 2011 on Solophok hill, this pilgrimage centre has a huge statue of Lord Shiva surrounded by replicas of the four holy Dhams – Jagannath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Badrinath – and the twelve Jyotirlingas. It lets pilgrims visit all four Dhams in one place and is very popular with our guests.
Samdruptse and the Guru Rinpoche statue
Opposite Namchi, on Samdruptse ("wish-fulfilling") hill, stands a 135-foot statue of Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the patron saint of Sikkim, completed in 2004. Local legend says the hill is a sleeping volcano that the monks keep calm with their prayers. A rock garden lies on the way up.
Namchi helipad viewpoint and Rock Garden
The helipad above the town gives one of the best views in South Sikkim – Kanchenjunga, the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills and the plains far below.
Ravangla and Buddha Park
Ravangla, about 25 km from Namchi, is home to Buddha Park (Tathagata Tsal) with its 130-foot statue of the Buddha, built for the 2,550th anniversary of the Buddha's birth. On clear days the snow peaks form a perfect backdrop. Nearby Ralang Monastery is known for its colourful festivals.
Temi Tea Garden
Temi is the only tea estate in Sikkim and produces high-quality organic tea sold internationally. The road winds through rows of tea bushes on steep slopes – a lovely stop for photos and a cup of fresh tea.
Tendong Hill
Sacred to the Lepcha people, Tendong Hill above Damthang can be climbed on foot through forest to a viewpoint tower overlooking much of Sikkim.
Suggested route
Leave Gangtok after breakfast, visit Temi Tea Garden, Ravangla Buddha Park, Samdruptse and Char Dham, and reach Pelling by evening. It is a long but rewarding day. Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir and the Namchi monastery can be added if you start early.
Frequently asked questions
Can Namchi be visited on the way to Pelling?
Yes. Most of our tours cover Temi, Ravangla, Samdruptse and Char Dham on the Gangtok to Pelling drive.
What is Char Dham in Namchi?
A pilgrimage centre with a giant Lord Shiva statue and replicas of the four Dhams – Jagannath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Badrinath – plus the twelve Jyotirlingas.
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Updated October 2026 by the Tip Top Group team.