South Sikkim is the smallest district of Sikkim whose headquarters is Namchi and is situated at an elevation of 5500 ft. The District is the least popular district of Sikkim and consists of many untouched and offbeat palaces that can offer a wide view of snowcapped mountains and the greenery of the Temi tea garden. The headquarters of the south Sikkim Namchi is widely famous for Buddha Park and the world's tallest 45m statue of Buddhist Padmasambhava. The place is also famous for several monasteries and things related to spirituality.
Places to visit in West Sikkim
Namchi
Namchi or Namtse is the headquarters of South Sikkim and it is the place that connects Sikkim to some parts of West Bengal. Situated at an altitude of 5500 m is the home of Dolomite Limestone in the Buxa Formation of Mamley which is declared a national geological monument by GSI (Geological Survey of India). The city is full of rich culture organizes food festivals and is one of the best tourist attractions points in South Sikkim.
Rabong
Rabong is the transit point for tourists toward Chozo Lake, Manilakhang, Ralong Monastery, and many other tourist points. Situated at the base of Maenam hills the place offers wonderful scenic beauty and offers several tourist attraction points.
Borong
Borong is a small village situated in the South district of Sikkim that offers some of the great views of the Kanchenjunga past the village. The place is a must-go for nature lovers as it offers a variety of flora and fauna across the valley. There is a wide range of tourist attractions such as Fatam Valley, Barmeli Bridge, and many more.
Ravangla
Ravangla is one of the most popular tourist destinations that offers a wide range of attraction points along with breathtaking views of the Himalayan range. Situated at an altitude of 7000 ft Ravangla consists of the world's tallest Buddha statue in the Buddha Park with a height of 130 ft. Mt. Kabru is one of the peaks that is visible from Ravangla.
Char Dham Temple
This is one of the major attraction points in South Sikkim. Char Dham or Siddheswar Dham is a replica temple of 12 jyotilingas of India and has a massive 33m tall statue of lord Shiva in the temple. The temple is located 5 km away from Namchi and is a must-go place for spiritual lovers.
Temi Tea Garden
Temi Tea Garden was established in the year 1969 by the Sikkim government and attracts tourists for its natural beauty and wide panoramic view of the tea garden surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys. The tea garden is spread across 500 acres of land and is one of the largest tea producers in Sikkim.
Things do to in South Sikkim
- Visit to Buddha Park
- Experience the view from Namchi Ropeway
- Explore the town of Ravangla
- Discover the offbeat destinations of Temi
How to reach South Sikkim
South Sikkim can be reached from the nearest airport Bagdogra situated in Siliguri 130km away. The place can be reached from the nearest railway station NJP 125 km away. The best way to reach South Sikkim is by road by taking a cab from Siliguri which will take you to the city while providing a mesmerizing view of Darjeeling on the way to South Sikkim.
Best Time to Visit
South Sikkim can be visited at any time as it offers a wider range of natural beauty. However, it is better to avoid visiting West Sikkim in the monsoon as a heavy amount of rainfall leads to the risk of landslides and road blockage.
