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The ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ is an initiative taken by the government of Nepal in order to boost the tourism aspect of the country in the year 2020 and further. The goal is to attract and host more than 2 million tourists starting from 2020. The initial plan was to host the ‘Visit Nepal’ agenda in 2018, but it was forced to postpone due to the massive earthquake of 2015. The devastating calamity dealt a lot of damage to the country, all in terms of physical structures, landmarks, and also to the economy of the country. The country is focusing majorly on the reconstruction of various roads, airports, and monuments. Thus, the initiative was postponed to 2020 due to reconstruction purposes.

Now, a general question of security arises in the midst of avid travellers wanting to visit Nepal, “Is it safe to travel to Nepal after the 2015 earthquake?” Thus, one of the major purposes of this initiative. Nepal suffered a decrease in tourists due to the earthquake. And now that there construction is completed, Nepal is as safe as ever, even more so prepared for such tragic events. The ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ intends to spread awareness amongst the rest of the world regarding this matter. Apart from the awareness target, the government of Nepal intends to increase the tourism industry as a whole, because Nepal’s economy majorly relies on Tourism and Remittance. Hence, the subsidiary goal is to further develop and increase the industry for the sake of development.

So what attracts tourists to Nepal? One might ask. Well apart from the poverty, Nepal gladly boasts one of the most diverse flora and fauna that one can experience. From the Majestic Mt. Everest, to panoramic lakes and lush forests with thriving wildlife, Nepal is included in the top 10 countries to visit among the whole world. 

Visiting Nepal at least once in your lifetime will be very worthwhile for you. From rich cultures, sky-piercing mountains, gorgeous wildlife, and deep, ancient historical monuments, your trip to Nepal will be exhilarating and fun-filled. The following are some of the reasons why you should visit Nepal at least once in your lifetime.

• The birthplace of Lord Buddha

As you might already know, Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha. Gautam Buddha, born in 563 BC, is the one who founded Buddhism, and is known as a Symbol of Peace. The birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini, lies in the Terai region of Nepal. The place is a popular tourist and religious site and was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. The place is very fascinating with many historical monuments and other relics like the Ashoka Pillar, Mayadevi Temple, World Peace Pagoda, etc. 

• Magnificent flora and fauna

Nepal has an amazing assortment of rich wildlife and greenery. With constant additions to the many endangered animals in Nepal, many wildlife reserves and national parks are wonders in themselves. You will have the chance for a face to face encounter with many endangered animals like One-Horned rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopards, Asiatic Elephants, and many more. This opportunity is very exclusive as most of the endangered animals are only found in Nepal.

• The Himalayas

If wildlife and forests are not for you, then you might prefer the amazing mountain scenery that Nepal has to offer. Mt Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, with the height of towering 8848m, is a resident of Nepal’s Himalayan range. In fact, among the 10 highest peaks in the world, 8 of them are here in Nepal. This goes to prove just how majestic the Himalayan mountain range is. Nepal boasts these amazing mountains and you can take a glance at the majestic mountains in the form of a trek or a hike. Nepal is truly a trekker’s paradise.

• The rich cultural diversity

A place where people of more than 100 different ethnicities reside in peace and harmony together, Nepal is a great cultural hub. Unaffected whatsoever by the western culture, Nepal is what you call Unity in Diversity. So for those who are fascinated by different cultures and traditions, Nepal is the place to be.

• Adventurous activities

Apart from the natural fascinations that Nepal proudly boasts, Nepal is also a destination for adrenaline junkies who seek thrill and pursue adventure sports. With activities like kayaking, bungee jumping, canoeing, paragliding, etc. you will have a lot to do here. Forget about being lethargic, you will have amazing activities to do all throughout the duration of your stay and more.

Must Visit Destinations 

If you are visiting Nepal, or are planning to do so, there are some places that you absolutely must visit. These places have great significance, either religious, historic, or even natural. These are the places that you absolutely must visit on your stay here. They are listed below in no specific order:

• Gosainkunda – freshwater lake with elevation of 4380 m



• Everest Base Camp trek – 15 day trek to the base of the highest mountain in the world



• Poonhill trek – 4 day trek to a beautiful location with panoramic views of the Himalaya



• Lumbini – the Birthplace of BUddha



• Janakpur – Religious site



• Pokhara – Tourist hub of Nepal with great views and environment



• Chitwan – A great place to start your wildlife exploration and visit multiple National parks and wildlife reserves



• Annapurna Circuit Trek – Trek to Annapurna Base camp and through Tilicho lake, the highest lake in the world



• Upper Mustang – An allround magnificent journey to the Himalayas to a religious site



• Halesi Maratika tour – An amazing religious site situated 4,734 m above sea level



• All the world heritage sites – Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan Durbar Squares, Boudhanath Stupa, Changunarayan Temple



• Rara lake –  The biggest and deepest freshwater lake in Nepal



• Sey-Phoksundo Lake – One of the most beautiful and visually soothing freshwater lakes

In conclusion, Nepal is a country with a lot of different attractions to offer to the world. The Visit Nepal 2020 focuses to promote the country more and attract more tourists to the country. With many special facilities and amazing hospitality to the foreign guests, Nepal is one of the top tourist destinations and travel locations. Hence, I personally invite you to visit our country at least once, although you will come to realise one thing, once is never enough to explore this beautiful country.

The UNESCO, abbreviated form of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations. A World Heritage site is a landmark, monument or an area chosen specifically by UNESCO as a gratitude of recognition for having cultural, scientific or historical significance. These world heritage sites are under the direct protection of the international treaties, and are under critical maintenance and safety. These sites have great importance as they are specifically selected as a world heritage site and is a great tourist attraction.

So, talking about the world heritage sites that are present in Nepal, there are 10 different world heritage sites here. These heritage sites have great significance here in Nepal. Among the 10 heritage sites, 8 of them are culturally significant and the rest 2 are of natural importance. Apart from having cultural and natural significance, these sites are popular tourist destination as well. Travelers from all around the world come to visit these heritage destinations. 

These heritage sites of Nepal are A true gem\ among themselves and have a lot of importance to the Nepalese. The following are the World Heritage sites of Nepal.

• Pashupatinath

Located at the heart of the capital city, Kathmandu, this heritage site is a sacred temple devoted to Lord Shiva. Said to have been existing before the beginning of the millennium, this holy shrine is one of the most important religious sites in Asia for Hindu devotees. The temple area stretches over both sides of the holy Bagmati river. The main temple is a pagoda style architecture with gold roof, four silver doors and a lot of amazing and exquisite wooden structure. The Hindus cremate the deceased on the very same riverbanks of Bagmati river, as it is considered to be the holiest of the holy. Take a visit to Pashupatinath for an unmatched spiritual experience, and to witness the epitome of religious tolerance, as many buddhist shrines also reside in the Pashupatinath area.There are a total of 492 different temples in the Pashupatinath area, each with its own value and religious sentiment.The place was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979.

• Swayambhunath

Another heritage site with great religious significance is Swayambhunath. The temple resides at the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu city.  Swayambhunath translates to “Self-sprung”, and has a reason as to why it came to be called that. According to legends, the entire Kathmandu Valley was a huge lake, and in the lake, a lotus grew. Thus, the valley came to be called Swayambhu, meaning self-created. The temple is of great significance to multiple ethnic groups, i.e. Buddhist Newars, and the Tibetan Buddhists. This monument also depicts great religious tolerance, as there are hindu temples in its close vicinity. It is widely recognized for its architecture, and the symbolism behind the architecture.

• Boudhanath

The boudhanath temple is the largest stupa in Nepal and is considered to be the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple. The temple is located on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu and about 5 kms from the airport. The first stupa was built after 600 AD when the Tibetan king converted to Buddhism. The authenticity and the purity of the stupa is revered and is second to none. The structure of the stupa, is 36-metres high, and is constructed in the shape of a mandala design. The place is considered to be the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.

• Changunarayan

The Changu Narayan Temple, an ancient and symbolic Hindu temple is located atop a high hill, 12 km east of Kathmandu. The temple is surrounded by champak tree forests. The historic structure was built around the 3rd century A.D. The temple has a lot of religious significance to the Hindus, especially to the people from the Newar community. You can find a small village residing near the temple with many lodges, restaurants and souvenir shops.The4 shrine is dedicated to Lord  Vishnuand is held in special reverence. The temple is considered to be the oldest temple in the history of Nepal.

• Lumbini

Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District in Nepal. According to Budddhist tradition, Queen Maiyadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam in 563 BC. Siddhartha Gautam, who later achieved enlightenment and became Buddha founded Buddhism. Lumbini is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites for Buddhists as the place is pivotal to the life of the Buddha. The place has a lot of different temples and statues. There is the Pillar of Ashoka, which was built to mark the visit of Ashoka The Great in Lumbini. There is also Maiyadevi temple, the shrine of eternal flame, and many other historic and important shrines.

• Kathmandu Durbar Square

Lying in the heart of the Capital city, Kathmandu Durbar Square is an ancient royal courtyard. Also known as Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the place was once home to the king of Kathmandu. There are many different temples around the place dedicated to different deities. There is also a temple of the living goddess Kumari. You may get the chance to see the Kumari, but it is very rare. The place was constructed during 15-18th century. The place is a very famous tourist destination, and there are many restaurants and hotels to enjoy as well.

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square, also known as Bhadgaon is an ancient area, built around the 15th century. The place was once home to the kings who ruled the city. Now, the place is an ancient square and a popular tourist destination. The complex contains four distinct squares, Durbar square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square. The place has a very antique and ancient feel to it and the ambiance is amazing. You can also visit Siddhapokhari on your way to the Durbar Square.

• Patan Durbar Square

Located at about 8 km south-east of the Kathmandu City, Patan Durbar Square is one of the oldest cities in the Kathmandu Valley. With exquisite architectures flaunting Newari craftsmanship, the place is a popular tourist destination for both foreigners as well as for the locals. With many temples and Buddhist monuments in its vicinity, the place attracts Hindu worshipers and Buddhist followers as well. With the increase in tourists, there are great restaurants around the area that serve great food. You can try the local cuisines as well. 

• Chitwan National park

The first National Park of Nepal, Chitwan National Park is a wildlife protection park. The place covers 952.63 km square of lush wildlife. During the 19th century, the place used to be a favorite hunting ground for the Royal family during the cold winter season. Since then, hunting has been made illegal with severe punishments to those who still hunt. The national park is home to some of the highly endangered animals. The one-horned rhinoceros, the Bengal Tiger, Clouded leopards are some of the endangered animals who live in the jungles of Chitwan National Park. Now, the place is famous for its jungle safari and animal sightseeing. You can get on the back of an elephant and go for a jungle safari. If you are lucky enough, you might spot a few tigers basking in the sun.

• Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is another conservation park comprising of an area of 1,148 km square in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. As the name suggests, the park lies in the vicinity of Sagarmatha, also known as Mt Everest. Established in 1976, this national park is the first park to be listed in the World Heritage Site.The forest area of the park is home top at least 200 species of different birds and animals. Endangered animals like musk deer, snow leopards, Himalayan Black bear, red panda, etc call this forest area their home. The park was listed as a world heritage site in 1979, only 3 years after its establishment.

The heritage sites are truly a marvelous destinations to visit and to know about the rich culture and history of Nepal. The cultural heritage sites define the ancient culture, tradition of our country and how the traditions used to be. The natural heritage sites conserve and help flourish the wildlife that is on the verge of extinction. These sites are of great importance to the country, both for tourism aspect and historic value.