Once a vibrant Newar trading town on a historic route out of Kathmandu Valley towards eastern Nepal, Dapcha has declined following the construction of a highway, leading to locals migrating to Kathmandu and beyond. Located just 45 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1700m, it offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day. It is no surprise that many people in Kathmandu have never heard of this hidden heritage gem, hence it has not yet been included in itineraries for local visitors or international travelers.
The old town of Dapcha sits on a ridgeline stretching eastwards from the Buddhist shrine of Namobuddha, a site frequented by numerous pilgrims and day hikers. The area around Namobuddha is becoming an upcoming destination, thanks to a growing number of resorts and high-end luxury hotels, including the recent addition of the Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort. This has attracted travelers seeking simple relaxation or deeper engagement in mindfulness and wellness practices.
Nepal has witnessed several success stories of turning nearly ghost towns into thriving tourism hotspots. Bandipur is one such example. Once an important trading town en route to Pokhara, it was left high and dry when the district political headquarters moved to Damauli in 1968. The final blow was the opening of the Prithvi Highway, which redirected trade to Bharatpur in Chitwan. Visionary entrepreneurs recognized the need for conservation and the potential of tourism, investing to turn old residential houses into tourist-standard guesthouses almost two decades ago. Now, local hotels struggle to provide enough rooms during peak seasons. Bandipur offers a respite for overland travellers to Pokhara, providing a place to break the journey for lunch or to spend a night or two enjoying its traditional and slow-paced atmosphere. As expected, more investments are pouring into Bandipur to meet the high demand.
Earlier this month, Skal International – Nepal organized a strategic event to spread the word about Dapcha and explore its potential as a destination, adding more experiences to existing Nepal itineraries. A car rally was organized on 31 May and 1 June 2024, aiming to promote Dapcha as a potential sustainable destination. The event saw the participation of 25 cars and over 35 Skalleagues, along with three mayors, local community leaders, and many villagers. The rally began in Kathmandu and proceeded to Dapcha, passing through several heritage towns, including Bhaktapur, Nala, Panauti, Namobuddha, and Dhulikhel.
Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit, an acclaimed journalist and seasoned traveller, also participated in the rally. He highlighted Dapcha’s potential as a destination and urged tourism entrepreneurs to craft and cater unique experiences of tangible and intangible heritage. Mr. Mahendra Raj Poudel, Skal International – Nepal charter President, emphasized the need for collaboration among tourism stakeholders and expressed the club’s willingness to identify and promote more destinations in the future.
Many old buildings in Dapcha are in urgent need of restoration, and there is a clear need for a strategic plan to develop Dapcha as a heritage tourism destination. Dapcha’s success through conservation, collaboration and competitiveness will not only instill more confidence in the tourism sector but also help position Nepal as a sustainable tourism destination.
