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The district headquarters of the South District are at Namchi literally translating as the "Top of the sky". Anyone visiting West Sikkim has to traverse through the south district before entering the west.
PRIME
ATTRACTIONS
Serdop-Choling
Monastery
A slight distance above the alley ground is the Serdup-Choling monastery,
which commands a panoramic view of the town and the mountains beyond.
Bon Monastery At Kewzing
One of the interesting places to visit en route to Namchi is the Bon
Monastery at Kewzing, 5-km from Ravangla, which is the only one of its
kind in Sikkim.
Rangit Water World
For the young ones an ideal stopover would be the Rangit water world the
lake formed by the Rangit dam situated 26-km downhill from Ravangla, it is
a fun place with boating, fishing and swimming facilities.
Ravangala
Ravangla, reminiscent of a town from the Wild West, Ravangla is a sleepy
hamlet at about a height of 7,000 feet. The township comes alive during
the pang lhabsol festivities when the locals perform the spectacular
warrior dance at the Ravang Monastery.
Meanam Peak
Meanam Peak (10,300 ft) is a 12-km up-hill trek from Ravangla. The route
winds through a thick forest of Oak, Chestnut, Magnolia and Rhododendrons.
A natural habitat of the Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear and many species
of Deer this area is designated as a wildlife sanctuary. A short distance
away is the legendary Bhaley Dunga a kind of rocky spur, which juts out
from the ridge top above Yangang village.
Tendong Hill
Tendong hill (8,530 ft) the name means upraised horn from the Lepcha lore
relating the time when a great flood submerged their land and Tendong rose
up miraculously like a horn to save them. Even today prayers are offered
from the hilltop before the onset of the monsoons to appease the deities
and prevent a recurrence of the calamity.
HOW
TO GET THERE Air: The closest airport is at Bagdogra, which is
124-km from Gangtok (about 4 hours drive) and connected by air with
all-important Indian Metros. For all further details please contact any
one of the Sikkim tourism offices.
Rail: The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri, which is 125-km
(about 4 hours drive) from Gangtok. NJP is
well connected with all major cities of India. Gangtok, railway bookings
can be made at the booking counter of the Sikkim nationalised transport
terminus.
Road: Gangtok is connected with
Darjeeling
, Kalimpong and Siliguri by the national highway 31 A. the Sikkim
nationalised transport plies regular bus services between Gangtok and
Siliguri and within Sikkim. Private buses, jeeps and taxis are also
available from Siliguri and Bagdogra. Bookings can be made at the SNT
terminus, Siliguri.
PLACES TO STAYGangtok has quite good hotels for a comfortable stay. There are youth hostels and various lodges, which give tourists a comfortable stay in Gangtok.