There are many myths and legends associated with the name Rishyap - Ri stands for mountain peak (some say it is lofty) and shop means age-old trees in Tibetan.

Physiographically, this area forms the Kalimpong Range, with the average elevation varying from 300 to 3,000 metres (980 to 9,840 ft).

While Kalimpong is the only municipality, Dungra is the sole census town in the entire area.

[5][6] While the first degree college in the subdivision was established at Kalimpong in 1962,[7] the entire subdivision (and now the entire district), other than the head-quarters, had to wait till as late as 2015 (more than half a century) to have their first degree colleges at Pedong and Gorubathan.

[citation needed] The local Sherpas and Lepchas have built small cottage-type accommodations for tourist.