Nepal has always been one of the most mysterious countries in Asia. The first travelers had to cross the Himalayas just to reach this secluded country, and even now, it’s only reachable by plane or bus if you don’t want to take your chances on bad roads!
And yet, Nepal remains one of the best countries to visit in all of Asia, especially when you start looking at its natural wonders and cultural heritage.
Nepal’s remote location might make it seem like an impossible place to visit, but the truth is that this isolated country has much to offer those who are willing to make the journey.
The beautiful Himalayan landscape and Nepalese culture will have you asking yourself why you haven’t been here sooner. Explore the natural and architectural wonders of Nepal in this informative travel guide on tourism in Nepal and discover how much there still is to see and do when you visit this little-known country!
A List Of Tourists Attractions In Nepal
Here are a few of Nepal’s most popular tourist attractions: – Chitwan National Park – Pokhara Lake – Kathmandu Valley, including Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas – Sagarmatha National Park (including Mount Everest) – Lumbini, birthplace of Gautama Buddha (outside Bharatpur) While Nepal is certainly becoming a more popular tourist destination, many tourists have yet to discover its wealth of natural and cultural treasures.
1. Kathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley is packed with Nepal tourism gems. Kathmandu Valley, also known as Kathmandu, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. Home to several World Heritage Sites, UNESCO-protected monuments, and beautiful natural landmarks, Kathmandu Valley makes the perfect destination for tourists from all over the world. The valley’s picturesque landscape and rich history draws people in from far and wide, leading to thousands of visitors each year. Whether you are traveling with friends or family, there are many must-see places in Kathmandu. From temples like Pashupatinath Temple, stupas like Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudha to marvellous examples of ancient Nepali architecture like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu offers many places to visit.
2. Nagarkot
If you want to explore some more best places around Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot is the best places to visit. For a more serene experience, you can hike to Nagarkot, known for its panoramic views that can be enjoyed during sunrise or sunset. Located around 32 KM east of Kathmandu valley, Nagargot offers panoramic views of Kathmandu valley. The scenic beauty of Nagarkot makes it one of the popular hiking spots for tourists and is one of the most scenic spots in Nepal. If you are a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, there are many hiking opportunites for you in and around Nagarkot. Situated in a strategic location, Nagarkot was an ancient fort of the Kathmandu valley built to monitor the external activities of other kingdoms. Later, it became a summer retreat for the royal family before becoming popular as an international hill station.
3. Sundarijal
Located around 15 KM northeast from the country’s capital Kathmandu, Sudarijal is the best tourist destination for hikings, trekking and canyoning. Sundarijal is a place from where the river Bagmati orginates that has been the major source of supply of water to the Kathmandu Valley since the Rana Dynasty. Apart from its natural beauty, the main attractions of Sundarijal that grabs the attention of many national and international tourists are Sundarijal Hydropower Station-one of the oldest hydropower stations in Nepal, natural environment, waterfalls, rivers, temples like Sundarimai Temple, Ganesh Temple & Krishna Temple, and BP Museum which is one of the historical places in Nepal. Before museum, it was Army General Quarter, and then it was changed into Rajbandigriha where prisoners were kept. And then again after that again it changed into Gaida Gasti which again got changed into Sundarijal Military Camp and finally, after the detention of leaders like B.P it came into the light and was established as B.P Museum.
4. Pokhara Valley
Pokhara Valley, Nepal’s second largest city, rests on the west side of the country, nestled among peaks of the Himalayas and surrounded by lakes and rivers. In short, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, yet many tourists ignore it for other destinations because they don’t realize how much there is to do here — both in and out of town — to make your stay worthwhile. Here are five reasons why Pokhara Valley should be at the top of your vacation destination list!
- The Biking Trails: One of Pokhara’s best-kept secrets is its unrivaled trail system. Be sure to sign up for a biking tour while you’re in town—or, if you prefer to explore on your own, rent a bike from one of many local businesses.
- The Trekking Trials: Pokhara is surrounded by dozens of amazing Himalayan treks. Don’t worry, though—not all of them require you to be an expert hiker. There are several day-long treks that are great for family vacations or even first-time trekkers who want to test out their skills. Many tours will provide equipment, so don’t let a lack of fancy gear stop you from taking one!
- The Scenic Views: With a large lake surrounded by a ring of mountains, Pokhara offers some of Nepal’s most scenic views. And because it’s farther from major cities (and tourist routes), its culture remains largely unaltered. In addition, it has become a center for adventure tourism in Nepal—one that’s ideal for people looking to walk off that incredible lunch of momos.
- The Lakeside Views: If you’re looking for a quiet escape or want to indulge in some yoga, then Pokhara Valley is one of your best bets. The country’s second largest city (after Kathmandu) sits at an elevation of 870 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the Annapurnas on clear days. But before you hike in, it’s worth taking a dip in one of Nepal’s Lakeside Beaches.
- The Nightlife Scene: The number of tourism in Nepal is increasing every year. In fact, it’s been estimated that over 2 million tourists visit annually—and while many head straight for Kathmandu, there are plenty of reasons to get off your tourist track and into a Pokhara valley.
5. Chitwan National Park
Established in 1973, Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal located located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the districts of Nawalpur, Parasi, Chitwan and Makwanpur. Being the country’s first national park, Chitwan National Park boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife from more than 200 species of birds to at least 150 species of mammals and other types of animals as well. It’s also home to more than 10,000 people who live in the surrounding communities and make up almost half of the local population, according to the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology.
Read More About Chitwan National Park
6. Bardia National Park
Established in 1988, Bardia National Park is one of the 12 national parks in Nepal. Covered in an area of 968 sq.km, it is situated in the Terai region of Nepal, adjoining the eastern bank of the Karnali River and bisected by the Babai River in the Bardiya District of the country. Bardia National Park is mainly popular for its vegetation and flora & fauna. About 70% of the park is covered with forest, with the balance a mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine forest. The park comprises 839 species of flora, including 173 vascular plant species comprising 140 dicots, 26 monocots, six fern, and one gymnosperm species. The wide range of vegetation types in forest and grassland provides excellent habitat for 642 faunal species. Apart from these, Bardia National Park is popular and famous for being the home to many mammals in the country. It is a home to at least 53 mammals including greater one-horned rhinoceros, Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, barasingha, and Gangetic dolphin. This national park is also one of the best places to see birds in Nepal. There are more than 400 bird species in this national park that includes Bengal florican, white-rumped vulture, peafowl, and bar-headed geese, which are symbolic of the park. So, while visiting Nepal, you should add Bardia National Park to your list of must visit place in Nepal.
7. Lumbini
The holiest place of one of the world’s greatest religions-Buddhism and one of the 10 World Heritage Sites in Nepal, Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site that is situated in the Rupandehi district of Lumbini province of Nepal. Though it is a Buddhist pilgrimage site, it is one of the most visited places and one of the major tourist attraction sites in Nepal. Lumbini has number of old temples, including Maya Devi Temple, and various new temples funded by various Buddhist organizations of various countries. Many monuments, monasteries, museum, reserach centres, etc are the major tourist attractions of Lumbini. Lumbini is a perfect blend of ancient, historical, and modern Nepal. Now with the establishment of new international airport named Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini province, Lumbini has become quite accessible than before for national and international tourists.
8. Everest Base Camp
If you’re an experienced hiker and want to experience one of the most unique hiking locations in the world, there’s no better place than Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The journey takes you to high altitudes and through challenging conditions, but this is one trip that will be remembered forever. The arduous journey requires you to climb to almost 18,000 feet, but the rewards are spectacular views of Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks, as well as cultural encounters with the Tibetan Buddhist locals who inhabit this part of Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park.
Many people dream of seeing Everest in person, but most aren’t prepared to spend weeks trekking through harsh terrain and dealing with altitude sickness in order to see it up close. However, if you have some physical endurance and are ready to push your body’s limits while you explore one of the world’s most stunning landscapes, then read then you should surely visit Everest Base Camp!
Conclusion
Tourism in Nepal has been on the rise over the past few years, and we think it’s safe to say that you want to add this fascinating country to your list of travel destinations. The beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, and rich culture are just some of the reasons why this country has been attracting more tourists each year. So if you are planning to visit Nepal ever, don’t forget to visit these places.
