Pokhara declared Nepal’s Tourism Capital’

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has declared Pokhara as the Tourism Capital of Nepal.

He made this announcement amidst a function organised at Barahighat, near the Phewa Lake in Pokaraon Sunday.

Prior to this, the Prime Minister unveiled a logo and memorial pillar relating to the touristic capital.

In the landmark event held to declare Pokhara the ‘Tourism Capital’, Prime Minister Dahal recognized Pokhara as the ‘Tourism Capital’ of Nepal. The announcement, made during a vibrant ceremony jointly organized by the Gandaki Province government and Pokhara Metropolitan City, marked a historic milestone for the city and the nation’s tourism sector.

The proclamation, endorsed unanimously during a cabinet meeting, solidifies Pokhara’s status as a premier destination for travelers seeking unparalleled natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences. The decision underscores the city’s immense potential to serve as a gateway to Nepal’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

The announcement ceremony, held against the backdrop of Phewa Lake at Barahighat, witnessed a jubilant rally featuring colorful cultural processions originating from Basundhara Park. The picturesque setting added to the charm of the moment, as locals and dignitaries celebrated Pokhara’s ascent to the esteemed title of ‘Tourism Capital’.

Prime Minister Dahal, in his address, lauded Pokhara’s scenic splendor and its contribution to Nepal’s tourism industry. He emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism practices to preserve the city’s natural heritage for future generations.

The declaration is expected to further boost tourism infrastructure and investment in Pokhara, attracting both domestic and international visitors. With its stunning lakes, majestic mountains, and vibrant cultural scene, Pokhara stands poised to captivate travelers and reinforce its position as the crown jewel of Nepalese tourism.

Pokhara is a metropolitan city in central Nepal, which serves as the capital of Gandaki Province. It is the second most populous city of Nepal after Kathmandu, with 599,504 inhabitants living in 120,594 households in 2021. It is the country’s largest metropolitan city in terms of area. Pokhara is located 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu. The city is on the shore of Phewa Lake, and sits at an elevation of approximately 822 m. The Annapurna Range, with three out of the ten highest peaks in the world – – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu – – is within 15–35 mi (24–56 km) of the valley.

Pokhara is considered as the tourism hub in the western parts of Nepal. Being a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna Circuit through the Annapurna Conservation Area region of the Annapurna ranges in the Himalayas. It also serves as a hub for many short treks and hikings around Pokhara.

Pokhara’s tranquil beauty has been the subject of inspiration for many travel writers. Its pristine air, spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks, blue lakes and surrounding greenery make it ‘the jewel in the Himalaya’, a place of remarkable natural disposition. With the magnificent Annapurna range forming the backdrop and the serenity of the cluster of 9 lakes with three major ones – Phewa, Rupa and Begnas – Pokhara is a great destination for a weekend getaway as well as a long relaxing holiday. Pokhara Valley, gateway to the Annapurna region where many a trekker finds his Shangri-la, sits high on the list of ‘must visit’ places in Nepal.

Pokhara once lay on the important trade route between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains set up camps on the city outskirts, bringing goods from remote Himalayan regions including Mustang. Gurungs and Magars, who have earned world-wide fame as fierce Gurkha warriors, are predominant here. Thakalis, indigenous of the ThakKhola region of Mustang, are known for their entrepreneurship and run tea houses along the trek routes in the Annapurna region. The Pokhara is best known for the stunning view of the Annapurna range. It is perhaps one of the few places on earth from where mountains above 6,000 m can be seen unobstructed from an altitude of 800 m within the distance of 28 km.  Many find Machhapuchhre’s razor-edged “Fish Tail” peak piercing the skyline or reflected in the still waters of Phewa Lake to be their most lasting impression of Nepal. Pokhara Valley has in recent years grown as a destination for adventure sports such as paragliding and ultra-light aircraft flights. And with boating, bird watching, trekking and mountain biking as other attractions, Pokhara has it all.