Namchi

Namchi is a city located in the South Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim, serving as the administrative headquarters of the district. Positioned at an elevation of about 1,675 meters (5,500 feet) above sea level, Namchi offers panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains and surrounding valleys. It lies around 78 kilometers from Gangtok, the state capital, and about 100 kilometers from Siliguri, a major transit hub with the nearest airport and railway station.

Namchi is known for several tourist and pilgrimage attractions, including the world's tallest statue (135 feet) of Guru Padmasambhava on Samdruptse hill, as well as the Namchi Monastery and Ralang Monastery. The area also features the Temi Tea Garden, the only tea estate in Sikkim, famous for its high-quality tea. The town hosts the annual Namchi Mohatsav festival celebrating local culture, and it has a notable football stadium named after the famous footballer Bhaichung Bhutia.

The region’s population primarily speaks Nepali and is ethnically diverse, with Hinduism and Buddhism being the main religions. Namchi and its surroundings blend natural beauty, cultural heritage, and religious significance, making it a growing tourist destination in Sikkim.