Palpa (4,300m), a stunning hill station in the Lumbini Zone of Nepal, is around 300 kilometers from Kathmandu. Thousands and thousands of travelers visit at this significant hill station every year to explore the treasure trove of this historic site of Nepal. Apart from being one of the top hill stations in Himalayas, the historic site is also famous for experiencing Newari architecture and culture. Here are the list of 10 awe-inspiring sights and sounds of Palpa.
- Palpa on the way from Pokhara to Lumbini is perched high above the Kali Gandaki River. It’s administrative center Tansen still gives the distinct taste of medieval Newari charm.
- Palpa primarily attracts with ancient culture, tranquil atmosphere, friendly people, and to its utmost the hill station offers the excellent mountain views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar and number of other Himalayan peaks.
- Palpa is also famous for locally handcrafted Dhaka textile which even include national cap of Nepal. Nepali “Daka Topi” is the famous local product of this region. If you are traveling around the village area of Palpa you can observe local weavers at work on their looms preparing handmade Dhaka textile products.
- Another fabric of Palpa is it still retains medieval image of Newari culture of Kathmandu valley. It is in the sense that local residents like Newar are the migrants from Kathmandu valley.
- Palpa used to be a strong separate Magar kingdom prior to unification of modern Nepal. In the process of state making, the power of Magar Kindom declined in the 18th century and unified under greater Nepal. Even after it was unified in greater kingdom of Nepal, it retained a strong Newar trading post on the trade route between India and Tibet.
- Magar are the indigenous people of Palpa. They played a significant role in the expansion of Nepal’s territory under the Shah rule in Nepal. They are always remembered as ferocious fighter. Because of their ferocious tendency in novelty Magars have still reputed place in Gurkha as well as British Army.
- Along with the 360-degree view of hills surrounding Palpa, you can also discover other equally enchanting place near the Hill station and those areas include: Bhairabsthan, Tanahu, and number of temples in the region.
- Do not forget to reach at Palpa Ranighat where lays one of the top landmarks of Palpa. The Palpa Ranighat palace on a massive rock-bed at the banks of the Kali Gandaki River is also popularly recognized as Taj Mahal of Nepal. Reaching at the site, you can observe palace garden, stone walls, and a small shrine. The palace was built in 1892 by the governor Khadka Shamser in memory of his wife Tej Kumari.
- Another must see landmark of Palpa is Tansen Durbar – a palace square in the center of Tansen Bazaar that represents the arts and crafts of ancient Palpa. The palace square is so popular that it attracts both local and international tourists equally.
- The final resort to see in Palpa is Tansen Bazaar. The hill station bazaar is full of Rana buildings, Newari houses, carved windows, and pagoda-style temples.
