Namchi is a famous hill station town at an altitude of 1,675 meters (5500 feet) above sea level in South Sikkim district, India.

Statue of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) on Samdruptse hill, opposite Namchi town.

The world’s largest statue of the Buddhist Padmasambhava alias Guru Rinpoche, with a height of 118 feet, is on the Samdruptse hill opposite Namchi. There is a Rock Garden on your way to Samdruptse Hills.

Namchi means sky-high in the local language, Sikkimese. It means ‘top of the sky’ in another local language, Bhutia. Tourists and pilgrims come to this serene and clean place in large numbers to enjoy the beauty of nature. Mt. Kangchenjunga alias Mt. Kanchendzonga, the 3rd highest mountain peak, part of the Himalayas, can be seen from here.

Ralang Monastery, Namchi Monastery, and Tendong Hill are important Buddhist pilgrimage centers near the town.

Siddhesvara Dhaam is another major tourist place on the Solophok hilltop. 87 feet high Lord Shiva statue is situated here. Char Dhams (4 Dhams or four pilgrimage centers across the country) are all replicated here.

How do I go to Namchi?

Namchi is at a distance of 78 kilometers from Gangtok, the state capital. Siliguri is the nearest town, with a railway station around 100 kilometers distance. The nearest airport is also at Siliguri. There are regular bus and Jeep services to other cities of Sikkim and West Bengal. Pelling, Jorethang, and Kalimpong are some of the other nearby towns.