Exploring Palpa - Part I
Palpa is a beautiful hill station in the Lumbini Province of Nepal. It is a great destination to add to your tour of the southern cities of Nepal. If you’re making a trip to Lumbini, stop by Palpa to witness the age of Newari architecture and culture, which migrated to this once-Magar village thousands of years ago.
About Palpa
Province: Lumbini
Distance from Kathmandu: 273.7 km
Accessibility:
By Road: 8 hours and 14 minutes
By Air: Land at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and drive 2 hours and 24 minutes to reach Palpa region
Attractions: Argeli Palace, Rambha Devi Temple, Ranighat Palace (Ranimahal), Rishikesh Complex, Tansen Bazzar, Bhairabsthan Temple (Tansen Bhairab), Shrinagar Hill, Tansen Durbar
Travel Season: Throughout the year
The region of Palpa has much to offer in multiple genres of tourism. The potential of this region as a religious site along with sightseeing and cultural tourism is strong. The central attraction of this place is the hill station of Tansen. In 2008 AD, UNESCO added this area to its tentative list for World Heritage in the cultural category.
The whole of Palpa has a strong note of Magar culture, but there is Newar influence in multiple locales. The souvenir of this region has always been Palpali Dhaka. It is a unique cloth produced by the local Newars. One of the most famous landmarks is the “Golghar”, an octagonal pavilion in the middle of Sitalpati, the main market square. Srinagar hill is a popular viewpoint that offers a beautiful panorama of the high Himalayas. Peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Himchuli and others are visible on a clear day.
The unique fusion of Palpa makes it a great destination. It offers something for all genre of travellers, which has always been its greatest strength. Exploring the core settlements of Tansen at times makes you feel like you are in Kathmandu due to the strong influence of Newar culture.