KATHMANDU: Nepal-Tibet tour can be a great experience, thanks to the operation of the new roadway from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Nepal and China are endeavouring to improve tourist flow in order to facilitate more tourists in the region. Tibet’s tourism administration deputy director Wang Songping said, “Kathmandu-Lhasa road is under construction and we are hopeful it will be in operation by February 2010. The governments of both countries are working on it.”

The Third Joint Coordination Committee meeting for the promotion of tourism between Nepal and the autonomous Region of People’s Republic of China is going on here. The meeting will discuss the promotion of tourism in both regions and develop plans regarding it. During a press meet organised today, representatives from Tibet also informed about their meeting held in June-July regarding tourism promotion cooperation with Nepal Tourism Board. There must be promotion of bilateral tourism and development of cooperation between the two countries. Speaking in the programme, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) senior director Suvash Niroula hoped for the bilateral development of tourism and success of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Both travel destinations have their own extraordinary experience and adventure travelling. “One can savour unforgettable memories and collect deep impressions in both countries,” said Songping. “The expansion of tourism in both Tibet and Nepal benefits their closely interlinked religious culture,” added Songping. According to Songping, there should be more flights from other parts of China as well. As China’s neighbour, Nepal provides a major tourist link to Tibet. Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, also serves as an important transit point for those heading from China to Nepal, he said. In 2008, Nepal received around 500,000 visitors, including 35,000 Chinese. This October, there was an increase of 116.4 per cent in the total tourist arrivals from China to Nepal compared to the same period last year. Nepal has its own natural beauty, tucked away as it is in the shade of the highest mountain range. Even with a small area of 147181 square kilometres, Nepal presents a myriad of attractions for tourists and locals alike, ranging from scenic beauty and well preserved exotic culture to adventure opportunities.

Meanwhile, Lhasa lies high in the arid wilderness of the Tibetan mountains. Its name — “Roof of the World” — is no idle statement. The valley bowls of Tibet are higher than the highest mountains elsewhere. Its snow covered plateau is the highest in the world, and apart from Mt Everest, which Tibetans see from ‘the other side’, Most Tibetan mountains are over 15,000 feet.