Nepal is a country that has been on the travel radar of many people for many years. That’s not only because of the attraction of the Himalayas but also because the country has a diverse culture. Nepal is also famous for many beautiful landscapes that anyone wants to admire at least once, let’s explore with Asia News Daily right away.
Nepal can be an adventure, a cultural revelation, a life-changing experience, or all of the above.
Capital Kathmandu
The ancient beauty of the capital Kathmandu (Photo: collected)
Kathmandu, capital and largest city in Nepal. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city contrast sharply with the vibrant atmosphere filling the streets. Scents waft from the shops while street vendors push their wares and people go about their daily lives, all against the backdrop of historic temples and carved statues.
The sparkle of Kathmandu at night (Photo: collected)
For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan, beautiful sights Nepal cannot miss. But today, they have become friends again. Kathmandu’s highlight has long been Durbar Square, the largest palace square of the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can find temples and monuments of various shapes, sizes, styles and beliefs here. Kathmandu is undoubtedly the bustling Nepali tourist destination and the best cultural melting pot to visit.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is a place visited by many people (Photo: collected)
Boudhanath Stupa, located just outside of Kathmandu, is one of the largest stupas of its kind in the world and dates back to around the 6th century, possibly even earlier. Like Bhaktapur, it lies on the old trade route to Tibet and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stupa has become a favorite place for many tourists (Photo: collected)
The stupa itself is a symbol of enlightenment but at Boudhanath the symbolism is especially clear. Each different shape represents one of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and earth, which are also attributes of the five Buddhas. Combined together in the form of stupas, their unity reflects in abstract fashion the structure of the universe itself.
Lights
Lumbini – An important Buddhist holy land of India (Photo: collected)
Lumbini is famous as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, known as Shakyamuni Buddha. Off the main tourist trail, nearly 250 kilometers from Kathmandu, Lumbini is a worthwhile detour on the route from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park.
Spacious scene at Lumbini (Photo: collected)
In this pilgrimage town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a sense of peace. The majority of visitors are Buddhist pilgrims from around the world, retracing Buddha’s footsteps through the stations during his life. Maya Devi Temple, dedicated to Buddha’s mother, is said to be the place where Buddha was born. It contains an ancient 2nd-century stone relief depicting the birth of Buddha.
Certainly, Lumbini is the holiest tourist destination in Nepal. Pilgrimage to the place where Buddha was born is clearly an important milestone for spirituality.
Annapurna Mountains
Peaceful scene in the Annapurna mountains (Photo: collected)
The Annapurna region is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal, with options ranging from a few days to a few weeks. The three main routes in the Annapurna Region intersect and combine in places and you can choose to do some or part of the routes. The routes are well marked and easy to follow.
Annapurna Mountain has become a famous Trekking destination (Photo: collected)
In many ways, the Annapurna Region, north of Pokhara, is an ideal trekking area. The dramatic contrasts of the Nepalese countryside, from the subtropical vegetation of the Pokhara Valley to the dry rain shadow, with the distinctive features of the Tibetan plateau, are especially evident. People and cultures are also very different: facial features, food, housing, lifestyle, customs and religion.
The Annapurna region was declared a protected area in 1986. Most importantly, it has good infrastructure to support the many people trekking through the area. The roads are well maintained, and food and accommodation are plentiful.
Conquer Mount Everest
The majesty of Mount Everest (Photo: collected)
Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth, rises to 8,848 meters (29,028 feet). Trekking in the Mount Everest region became popular after the legendary first ascent of the mountain in 1953 by Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Sherpa Tensing Norgay. Obviously, this is the most challenging Nepal tourist destination for people who love climbing and adventure.
Many people have conquered Mount Everest (Photo: collected)
The Everest region is not generally considered the most scenic area in Nepal for trekking, but Everest’s appeal makes it a popular destination, for both climbers and trekkers. There are various routes to reach base camp and several options for organizing the trip. For those who don’t want to climb Mount Everest but still want to see the mountain, it can be seen on clear days from the hill town of Nagarkot near Kathmandu.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park becomes a place to protect wildlife (Photo: collected)
Chitwan National Park is where you should go to experience a different side of Nepal. This is a great place to see wildlife and it has a safari-style atmosphere. At an altitude of just 100 meters in some areas, much lower than Kathmandu’s 1,400 meters, Chitwan has a tropical monsoon climate, quite different from what you’d expect on a trip to Nepal.
Many tourists come to experience this wonderful Nepalese beauty (Photo: collected)
Tourists come here to see wildlife. The park is home to rhinos, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, deer and many other creatures. Freshwater dolphins and crocodiles live in rivers and streams but are rarely seen. More than 500 species of birds make Chitwan an aviary’s paradise for them.
Tours from the lodges will take you into the park, trekking or more often, on elephants for a close-up look at the animals. Chitwan is located southwest of Kathmandu near the Indian border and is listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.
Pokhara City
Panoramic view of the peaceful beauty of Pokhara city (Photo: collected)
Located in the foothills and surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world – Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna I – Pokhara is one of Nepal’s most scenic cities. For trekkers, Pokhara is the gateway to the Himalayas and the starting point for treks to Jomsom and the Annapurna region. It’s also a great place to relax a bit, before or after a long trekking trip.
The famous Phewa Lake is located right next to the city (Photo: collected)
In terms of population, it is the 2nd largest city in Nepal after Kathmandu but still doesn’t feel like a big city. When you travel from Kathmandu, 200 km east, you will notice the much fresher air and pleasant climate almost immediately. In particular, next to Phewa Lake is famous for its poetic scenery with a cluster of hotels, restaurants and shops along the lake, an ideal place for those who are looking for a bit of relaxation. This is a beautiful scene in Nepal that is difficult to see in other places.
Ilam tea hill
The immense beauty of Ilam tea hill (Photo: collected)
Ilam is a tea growing district in Nepal. If you like drinking tea, this place will be heaven for you. The tea grown here is exported globally and is considered to be of the highest quality. Ilam is still relatively untouched by tourists. The trails around the villages are quite deserted and the views are amazing, a very rare sight in Nepal.
Visit beautiful tea gardens overlooking quaint towns and breathtaking scenery. Of course, feel free to sample different teas and buy some if you like. Additionally, you will also see many different species of birds during this tea hill tour.
You can go hiking and rest to enjoy tea and view the Kanchenjunga mountain range. April to November is the best time of year to explore Ilam. You can see tea pickers working hard on the tea hills.
Tilicho freshwater lake
The cool blue water of Tilicho Lake (Photo: collected)
Besides the bustle of the city center and the majestic beauty of the mountains, the freshwater lake Tilicho Lake is also a beautiful scene in Nepal that you cannot miss when traveling to Nepal . Created in Manang, Phokara and located at an altitude of more than 5,000m above sea level, this place is one of the special lakes, attracting the curiosity of many tourists. And when you set foot on the lake, you will be overwhelmed by the romantic and poetic natural beauty. Along with the fresh, pleasant atmosphere, it brings incredible comfort and relaxation.
Davis Falls
The majestic beauty of the waterfall (Photo: collected)
Also on the list of famous beautiful sights in Nepal that must be visited. This waterfall is located in Pokhara city, the water flows from above to form a tunnel. Walking through the waterfall, you will see a beautiful natural space, like in a fairy tale.
What makes Nepal so interesting are the towering monasteries perched on mountain slopes, along with villages where people have lived for centuries without electricity or running water. The people of Nepal are gentle and friendly, making this one of the best places to visit in Asia.