Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is a part of heaven on earth, natural and peaceful. The country is small and poor, but rich in scenic spots and cultural treasures. Unique Himalayan scenery, unique Nepalese art culture, architecture, customs religious beliefs, etc. The geographical and biological diversity is astounding.
1. Solukhumbu
Solukhumbu is a highland region that is world-famous for trekking and climbing Mount Everest. Gurung and Sherpa people are the main inhabitants of this area, which borders Tibetan territory to the north. The landscape here mainly consists of terrain consisting of deep canyons, massive rocks and glaciers. It is the home of Mount Everest and one of the world natural heritage sites recognized by UNESCO – Sagarmatha National Park. As a result, tourism in the area started in the early 1960s and became popular among international tourists.
2. Lumbini
Lumbini is famous as the birthplace of Buddha. It is located in the Terai province in western Nepal, close to the border with India. It is about 280 kilometers from Kathmandu. The altitude is about 100 meters. The main attraction of this place is the Mayadevi Temple, the place where Mother Mayadevi gave birth to Buddha in 623 BC, which makes it rich in cultural and natural attractions. Lumbini was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. The site is now being developed into a Buddhist pilgrimage center.
3. Mustang
The Mustang area consists of Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang. The everyday reference to Mustang generally refers to Upper Mustang. The average altitude is 2,500 meters.
Located on the southern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Mustang was once an independent kingdom (subject to the Kingdom of Nepal), linguistically and culturally closely related to Tibet. Most residents believe in Tibetan Buddhism and speak the ancient Tibetan language every day. It is currently the only area that has completely preserved the original appearance of traditional Tibetan culture. Its monarchy was ended in October 2008. The capital, Lo-manthang, has been certified as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world.
Foreign tourists were only allowed to enter the area in 1992. It is still not open to independent travel, and foreigners need to arrange special permits through hiking tour agencies to enter. There are approximately more than 1,000 international tourists every year. So far, the total number of Chinese tourists entering does not exceed a hundred.
4. Annapurna
Annapurna is popular among trekking destinations. Hikers can get a close-up view of Annapurna I-IV, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu and many other snow-capped mountains above 8,000 and 7,000 meters. Hiking the Annapurna Circuit is often voted the best long-distance hike in the world.
5. Chitwan
Chitwan is a popular destination for local and international tourists in Nepal. It is located in Terai Province, about 100 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu.
The main attraction is Chitwan National Park, home to endangered species such as the Bengal tiger and the one-horned rhinoceros, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers an area of 952.63 square kilometers and has an altitude of 100 meters. The main way to visit is through the tropical jungle (hiking, off-road vehicle, or elephant riding). Many elephant breeding centers are popular among tourists. The residents are mainly Tharu and one can admire their dance, food and culture.
6. Pokhara
Around the city, another popular spot is Sarankot. There are the best viewing spots for sunrise and sunset and paragliding activities. If the weather is clear, you can enjoy stunning views of the Machhapuchhre mountain range from Pokhara. It is also famous for treks to Dhampus village, Ghandruk, Begnaskot, Ghorepani, and Poonhill.
7. Langtang
Langtang is located in the north of Kathmandu, very close to the border with Tibet. It is a popular trekking destination and home to the Tamang ethnic group, which includes the historical towns of Gojng, Gatlang, Chilime, and Briddim.
Langtang National Park is the main attraction of the place and it is rich in natural species such as the Himalayan black bear, goats somewhat like Himalayan antelopes, Assam macaques, and red pandas. Langtang Village was damaged in the 2015 earthquake but is slowly recovering. Langtang has more than 70 glaciers of various sizes, and Gosainkunda and Langtang valleys are famous hiking areas here. The ethnic groups in this place are mainly Tangang and Tibetan, and their culture can be traced back hundreds of years. Craftsmanship, clothing, traditionally built stone houses, and intricately carved wooden doorways reflect its rich Himalayan cultural heritage.
8. Dolpa
Located in the western region of Nepal, it is surrounded by mountains, especially Dhaulagiri (8167 meters above sea level). Close to the Chinese border. Hiking in this place is an unforgettable adventure. It is the largest region in the country, with an altitude of over 5,000 m and accounting for 5.36% of the total land area.
There is an ancient and remote village town called Dolpa with rich wildlife, beautiful lakes, and snow-capped peaks, as well as pristine Buddhist monasteries, making this place a popular tourist destination . Parts of this area are also part of Shey Phoksundo National Park. The sparkling turquoise waters of the lake never fail to attract visitors, making it one of the most famous attractions in Dolpo. Spring is the best time to visit Dolpa for a pleasant trip.
9. Ilam
Ilam is famous for producing Nepali tea. This region is located in eastern Nepal. Tea production in Ilan began in 1863, when the Qing government provided tea saplings to the then Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana, who then planted them in Ilan. The site is not limited to tea, with many researchers drawn to the area to study rare birds and red pandas. Take a short hike in the hills or stroll through the tea plantations. You can truly experience the best of Ilam’s natural beauty.
10. Sankhuwasabha
Sankhuwasabha is one of the easternmost regions of Nepal, bordering Tibet. One of the area’s main attractions is the Barron Valley, which stretches from vast green meadows filled with rainbow flowers on one side to huge snow-dusted peaks and numerous waterfalls on the other.
This is home to Makalu Barun National Park, home to a variety of wildlife. One can go hiking around Milke Danda to enjoy the beautiful view of the blooming rhododendrons. Watching the sunrise or sunset on Kanchenjunga or Kumbhakarna peak can be an unforgettable experience.