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Tourism in Bhaktapur
- Neel Krishna Tamrakar
Tourism industry plays an inevitably important role in Nepalese economy. The existing market situation and the prevailing passive economic activities after the drastic fall in foreign visitors to Nepal due to National and international political causes, have proved the fact to its maxim. In Bhaktapur itself, Tourism most probably is the next major economic source after Agriculture. More so for Bhaktapur municipality which depends on Tourism for almost 60% of its direct financial sources (tourist service fee). Thus it is beyond daubt that for the overall development of Bhaktapur District Tourism Development is important.
With the beginning of official-modern-Tourism in Nepal four decades back tourism activities in Bhaktapur also gained momentum as a “Cultural Tourism” destination. Abundance of historic, artistic & uniquely architectured, monuments; cultural riches , festivals, dances, music, art, life & life style with in Bhaktapur city, Thimi and beyond has attracted millions of tourists since then. Likewise “Changunarayan” one of the oldest existing monuments of Nepalese History has established itself as another popular destination for “Cultural Tourists”.
Being situated towards the eastern side of Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur, is surrounded by green mountains almost around its three sides. Fresh mountain air, clean & natural environment, green fields and beautiful view of the Himalayan mountain range, life style of the villages, innumerable wilderness of Himalayan flora and fauna are the main touristic attractions of most of the villages around Bhaktapur. Breath taking views of the Northern and North-Eastern mountain range including Mt. Everest, romantic sun rise and sun set, exciting nearby village walks and beautiful and fresh mountain environment in Nagarkot has established itself as one of the most popular destinations among eco-tourists and village-tourists alike.
Many tourists start or end their short and long trekkings like Helambu, Namobudha, Valley Circuit from/in Nagarkot. It is an established tourist sight where all kinds of tourist facilities are available. Within the Bhaktapur side of Nagarkot area (about 20% of the main area) alone there are over 7 good hotels with over 110 bed capacity and many restaurants with the capacity of over 400 pacs. Apart from these small and medium sized hotels and restaurants are available scattered in other parts of the district i.e., Changu, Gamcha, Jhaukhel, Nankhel, Sipadol and Katunja V.D.C.s. Upper region of Katunje, Lankuri Bhanjgang and Boka chaur of Nankhel, Khawa Bhanjgang of Tathali, Mahankal Danda of Chaling, Charesi Danda of Sudal, Devi Danda, Bojihi Danda, Changu and Ranikot Bhanjgang of Gundu are some of the prime areas from where the natural views are at least as beautiful as from Nagarkot itself.
Though there are profound potential of tourism promotion in almost every V.D.C. in Bhaktapur, most of the tourism activities are concentrated within the core city area (Bhaktapur Municipality area). Almost 70% tourist oriented Guest Houses and Restaurant facilities are based in this area. There are 23 guest houses with 170 bed capacity, 18 restaurants, over 350 permanent gift shops and tourist service establishments and many temporary gift shops directly involving a large number of local populace.
Development of tourism activities have helped create market for local handicrafts and gift items. With it the local traditional craft and craftsmen are getting opportunities to preserve and promote their ancient skills that has been handed down generation by generations. Official data on total tourist arrival, in Bhaktapur District, their length of stay and the average spendings are not available, but according to the data available with Bhaktapur municipality , 141312 tourists from third country entered Bhaktapur municipality last year (2057-2058) which is about 40% of the total tourists arrival of Nepal the same year. According to NTB 60% of the tourists coming to Nepal come for pleasure or as cultural tourists, 20% are trekers & mountaineers, 5% are business travellers, 5% are official visitors and 10% visit with other purposes. Hence it is evident that there still is an immnce prospect or possibility of tourism development in Bhaktapur and if we plan properly we can expect over 90% of the tourists visiting Nepal to come over to Bhaktapur, stay longer and spend more.
Bhaktapur Municipality has been doing a lot in preserving the historic monuments and cultural heritage. It has changed once the filthiest city in the valley to the cleanest city today. We can hardly sufficiently thank the municipality for its efforts. Yet, there are many more things still to be done. To exploit the tourism potentials of the District to the fullest for the economic upliftment of its inhabitants. We propose as follows to focus our activities on :
i Security enhausing.
i Comfortable and pleasant access/transportation to and from Bhaktapur.
i Basic facilities, i.e. parking, toilets information should be available.
i Standard accommodation, travel related facilities & communication should be easily available.
i Negative impacts of tourism should be controlled.
i New tourism products (product diversification) should be developed.
i New tourism activities should be promoted
i Handicrafts should be developed and promoted.
i Capacity building for organizations and tourism enterprenures should be focussed.
i Nigth (evening) tourism should be focussed on.
6 monthly data of total tourist arrival in Neapl and those entered Bhaktapur Arrival
Months Nepal Bhaktapur
Non-SAARC SAARC Total Entry %
Aug 18383 7980 + 868 = 8048 43.77%
Sep 25360 5456 + 1461 = 6917 27.27%
Oct 33037 12668 + 2189 = 14857 44.97%
Nov 24515 12630 + 2612 = 15242 62.17%
Dec 15336 4529 + 939 = 5468 35.65%
Jan 13576 3425 + 749 = 4174 30.74%
Total 130207 45888 + 8818 = 54706 42.01%
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Tourism in Bhaktapur
A case of Harmony with Culture
W hat is the mainstay of tourism identified in Bhaktapur and what strategy is being adopted to maintain it ? One need not go too far to seek answers to these questions, because Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee (BTDC) has already initiated working on it. In one word, the heritage of the local culture is the mainstay of tourism in Bhaktapur and its conservation is the main strategy to sustain the industry of tourism. In Bhaktapur tourism and culture complement each other: tourism conserves the culture and in turn the culture promotes tourism. This is the dynamics of tourism and culture in Bhaktapur.
The history of Bhaktapur is the history of culture in its governance past or present and the heritage of the local peoples colourful life since as far back as 464 AD the date of Kathmandu Valley’s oldest stone inscription at the premises of the Ghangunaryan temple, on of the world heritage sites in Bhaktapur (Bhaktapur was recognised as the world heritage site in 1979 AD).l From 12-15th century AD, Bhaktapur was the capital city of Nepal. Until 1769 AD, Durbar Square area remained the seat of royalty. In recognition of the excellent management of the treasury of art and culture by Bhaktapur Municipality, UNESCO awarded the city the First Honourable Mention From Asia for 1998-99 and similarly, Transparency International/Germany has honoured the city with the title Island of Integrity for its corruption-free administration (1999 AD).
Therefore, the tourism of Bhaktapur is the tourism of its cultural heritage of a) monuments, b) craft work such as pottery, wood carving, hand-women textile, mask making, c) colourful festivals, d) colourful lifestyle, e) religious harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism, and f) museums of Newari art, woodcarving and brass and bronze.
As I write this small note on tourism in Bhaktapur, as a student of social/cultural anthropology, I feel proud to make a remark and let the world tourists know that Bhaktapur stands as a world class destination of cultural tourism.
A mystic city Bhaktapur
We stayed three nights in Bhaktapur. Woke up by the bell of morning prayers. Pleased with rooftop breakfasts, eyes on gods’ multi-roofs and Langtang beyond, ears over street life (no cars, no rickshaws, just few tractors and many voices). Kids climbing the warriors, elephants, lions of stone, on Nyatapola’s stairs. Playing on Taumadhi Tole’s great charriot, all day long. We wandered out of main squares and shop streets, into other squares, temples and wood-carved houses. Fruits and vegetables on a brick-paved street. Drying colored-cotton around a pokhari. Smiles and wrinkles under pink-and-white newari hats. The mythological universe on old painted beams upon us: wild leaping beasts and wings, goddesses with tons of unfolded arms, busy lovers. We tried every ‘momo joint’, hidden in a wooden corner or a brick courtyard. Talked with locals, about them, about us. In front of temples, the meditative songs and light drums sound at night. Bells ringing in the wind. Happy with our decision to stay three nights in Bhaktapur.
- Pierie et Chloe, Italy
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