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Central Nepal Places to See |
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Kodari(Nepal-Tibet Border)
KODARI (pop. 3,100) lies on the
Nepal-China border 114 km north-east of Kathmandu at the end of the
Arniko Highway. The village, situated beside the thundering Bhote
Koshi river, was a stopover on the ancient trans-Himalayan caravan
trail. The Arniko Highway offers an enjoyable drive, taking you
through magnificent river gorges and mountain scenery. The Tatopani
hot water springs are situated 3 km before Kodari. Most of the
inhabitants in the area are Tamangs
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TrisuliTRISULI
(pop. 18,700) is 69 km north of Kathmandu over a winding mountain
road (three hours’ drive). The town, located at the bottom of a
ravine, is the site of a 21-megawatt hydro-electric project. (The
dam is 13 km upstream at Tupche.) Nuwakot Durbar, a
palace-fortress-temple complex built in 1762, sits atop a nearby
hill (two-hour hike). In the old days, large garrisons were kept
here because of its vital location commanding the ways to Gorkha,
Pokhara and Tibet. Dhunche, 48 km to the north, is the trailhead to
Gosaikund (two-day trek) and Langtang (three days). Most of the
people here are Tamangs.
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Dolkha, Nepal
DOLKHA (pop. 19,300) is 133 km east of
Kathmandu. The hill town is an ancient Newar settlement known for
its shrine of Dolkha Bhimsen, patron deity of businessmen. It is 4
km from Charikot on the Lamosangu-Jiri Highway which branches off
from the Arniko Highway. Dolkha, formerly a stopover on the old
Tibet trail, offers superb views of Mt. Gauri Shanker. Treks to
Rolwaling start here.
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Jiri, Nepal
JIRI is 110 km from the turnoff at Lamosangu
on the Arniko Highway to Tibet (or 188 km from Kathmandu). The road
winds up and down mountains passing through Brahmin, Chhetri and
Tamang settlements. Jiri (elev. 1,860 m) is a picturesque village
clinging to a hillside. The weekly market is held on Saturday. The
people here are Jirels. It lies at the head of the classic trail to
Everest, the route followed by Himalayan expeditions of old. Jiri to
Namche Bazaar is a nine-day trek. (Temperature -6 to 28 degrees
Celsius.)
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Hetauda, Nepal
HETAUDA (pop. 54,000) lies 128 km south of
Kathmandu on the edge of the Himalayan foothills. It is linked by
the Tribhuvan Highway, Nepal’s first highway built in 1956 and
popularly known as Byroad. The scenic route climbs up and down
endless hills, the high point being Sim Bhanjyang Pass (elev. 2,487
m). The Martyrs’ Memorial Park and the Hetauda Cement Factory are
interesting visits. Makwanpur Gadhi, an historic fort, is 15 km from
Hetauda. Parsa Wildlife Reserve, where you can go animal-viewing on
elephant-back, is 25 km.
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Birgunj
BIRGUNJ (pop. 69,000) is a border town in the
plains, 50 km south of Hetauda. It is an important industrial center
and transit point for trade goods. Places to see include Vishuwa
where Buddha idols are enshrined atop a wooded mound, the city park
with a boating lake and the Birgunj Sugar Factory. Kathmandu to
Birgunj is 178 km over the legendary Tribhuvan Highway. The detour
via Bharatpur is 270 km. The nearest airport is Simara (25 km). |
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Nepal
