Mustang, 15 Nov: Lomanthang Village Council Chairperson Tasi Nhurwa Gurung has returned enthused after a week-long visit to various tourist and religious sites in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The team of representatives from Lomanthang Village Council-1, Chhoser, Mustang, had entered Tibet with a visit visa obtained from the Immigration Office at Nachung, using the Korala border point.
This visit by the 13-member delegation, led by Chairperson Gurung and including Deputy Chair Chhyumi Bishtagurung and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Village Council Deputy Chair Chhiring Lhamo Gurung, took place about a year after the Immigration Office was inaugurated. The team noted that Tibetan officials expressed interest in cooperation regarding economic, social, religious, cultural exchanges, and sustainable development through the Korala pass.
Since the Korala border point officially opened for trade on the 30th of Bhadau, the delegation, including Chairperson Gurung, traveled via the Nepal-China border pillar No. 24 from customs, using the Lizi-Nachung (Korala) road network to reach Tibetan towns. They held meetings with local communities, businesspeople, and local representatives there.
Chairperson Gurung informed that the delegation observed Jhomowasen district, Sigatse city, Lhasa city located at the foot of Gofel mountain, the site where Buddhism progenitor Padmasambhava attained enlightenment, the winter palace, Potala and Norbulingka palaces, famous monasteries built in the 7th and 15th centuries, among other tourist sites.
Calls for Easier Visa Process to Boost Tourism and Pilgrimage
Chairperson Gurung stated, “Tibetans are eager to visit Nepal’s religious and tourist sites via Korala. Followers of Buddhism have a strong desire to visit Lumbini through Korala.” Tibet is one of the world’s largest cities inhabited by followers of Buddhism. Previously, Tibetans used to enter Nepal via the Khasa, Tatopani border points, and other routes through Tribhuvan Airport.
Chairperson Gurung emphasized that the Korala pass is highly significant from both religious and tourism perspectives, and the visa process, among other formalities, needs to be made more convenient. He added that as Tibetans have plans for short, medium, and long-distance travels, it is necessary for the Nepal government to simplify the immigration process.
According to Chairperson Gurung, Tibetans expressed their desire for short-distance trips to religious sites in Mustang, medium-distance trips to Pokhara and Kathmandu, and long-distance trips to Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha – and even to India.
Although the delegation could not visit the highly sacred site of Kailash Mansarovar in China’s Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, due to snow accumulation during winter, Chairperson Gurung mentioned that the Korala pass remains the easiest and shortest route to access Kailash Mansarovar from Nepal.
The delegation of representatives stated that if travel via the Korala pass becomes easier for visiting Tibet and for Tibetans coming to Nepal, there would be a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists. They are preparing to inform the provincial and federal governments about the achievements gained from this visit.
Rajul Lalchan, President of the Mustang Industry and Commerce Association, mentioned that while Chinese infrastructure and priorities in the border area indicate the Chinese government’s desire to use it for economic and religious routes, Nepal must utilize this opportunity effectively.
The Immigration Office provides a 150-day ‘On Arrival Visa’ free of cost for Chinese and other foreign nationals entering Nepal from Mustang. Chief Immigration Officer Pramesh Baduwal informed that foreign nationals must pay a fee of five hundred dollars for restricted areas, along with other charges.
Chief Baduwal stated that they will understand the processes, including the experiences from this first delegation via the border point, and plan further. Historically, family relations existed between Upper Mustang and Tibet, and people from the Lomanthang area used to travel to Tibet. However, the border was closed after the Khampa rebellion in the 1960s, following Tibet’s incorporation into China, when Tibetan Khampas used Nepali territory for their rebellion.
