Exploring southern Solu’s tourism potential

Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Solukhumbu, May 31:

Dotted with religious, cultural and picturesque natural sceneries, Southern Solu in Nepal holds enormous tourism potential. There are several places in southern Solu, which fascinates internal and foreign tourists seeking trekking and adventure experiences in the mountainous region. Particularly, trekking in the Khumbu region can be memorable. Progress and rise in the quality of life that tourism has brought about in the northern part of Solukhumbu has generated a spirit of enthusiasm among people of South Solu and they are taking initiatives to develop tourism in the region. “We have heritages that can fascinate tourists. But lack of publicity has hindered the development of tourism in the region,” they bemoan. Dominated by diverse communities like Sherpas, Magars, Rais, Tamangs, southern Solu also offers a cultural diversity with four different languages, cultures and rituals, existing side by side.

Buddhist monasteries, Buddhist schools and temples at every step add to richness of the region. The region is also rich in flora and fauna and a vast variety of animals, birds and plant species. While the forests bloom with flowers like rhododendrons and other flowers of rare species, birds like Danphe and Munal abound the trees. The forests are also sanctuary to animals like leopards, bears, yaks as well as red pandas, an animal of rare species. 95 per cent of Himalayan peaks in Nepal that carry religious significance can be seen from the region. These include PK Mountain (4,065 metres), Numbur, Chatting and Karyalung Himal.

The famous sites in the region are Dhundh-kunda, Junbesi, Thoptel, Chholingh and Taksindu which are lying at the foothills of these peaks.