Namchi, literally means "top of the sky" is located 78kms from Gangtok. It is the south district HQ and one of the emerging tourist destinations.Namchi is well connected to other towns in Sikkim and West Bengal. From Namchi the visitor gets an unmatched view of Kanchenjunga range. Here one can visit Sherdup Choeling Monastery and the Dichen Choeling monastery and at a distance of 2 kms, is the Ngadak monastery. There is a very beautiful rock garden above the Ngadak Monastery which is full of rare flowers and plants.
Located at a distance of 6km from Namchi town and atop Samdruptse hill which means 'wish fulfilling hill', Samdruptse Monastery is a popular tourist spot thronged by many visitors. The foundation stone of this monastery was laid by His Holiness Dalai Lama. From the portals of the monastery, it is a long uphill walk before you reach the establishment. A huge 45 m statue of Guru Padmasambhava or "Guru Rimpoche" stands on an elevated platform. The statuewas designed according to traditional Buddhist Ideals and is painted with gold that shines in the sunlight. Samdruptse Hill is situated at an elevation of 2134 meters. It is the highest statue of Guru Padmasambhava in the world. Started in 1997 it took nearly 7 years to complete the statue.
The hill offers magnificent view of Mt. Kangchenjunga amongst the richly forested hills.The hill is a sleeping volcano and it is believed that only prayers can hold it from erupting. That is why the monks offer their homage and devotion to it.
