The district of Taplejung is among Nepal's 77 districts and is one of the 14 districts of province No. 1. This third-largest district of Nepal lies amidst the Himalayas in Eastern Nepal, with Tibet crossing the Himalayas to the north.
Walk through the green hills, bright rhododendron woods, remote villages, and discover cultures unique to the Taplejung district. While walking across Taplejung, you will be walking in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) which covers a broad area of 2,035 sq km and the two peaks of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Meaning of Taplejung
In the Limbu language, Taplejung's literal sense is "a fort of King Taple". In medieval times, there was an ancient fort situated in that area, founded by King Taple.
History Behind Taplejung
The area of Taplejung and other adjacent regions were previously called Limbuwan (Pallo Kirat) meaning "Far Region." Limbu Kings ruled the Limbuwan areas before the unification of Nepal.
After the unification of the country, the area of Taplejung became a part of the more extensive Dhankuta District.
Taplejung: Nature's Himalayan Gem
Credit:Nepaltraveller.com
In 1962, when the real old 32 districts were segregated into 75, a new district called 'Taplejung' was separately formed by three thums (counties) of the large Dhankuta district.
Tourism in Taplejung
Taplejung is considered one of the best trekking destinations for hikers and trekkers. Cultivated fields, pastures, forests, high altitude lakes, ponds, and glaciers compose the Kanchenjunga Protected Area. You can see the endangered red panda, snow leopard, Asian black bear, golden-breasted fulvetta, snow cock, blood pheasant and red-billed chough in the area.
Taplejung Tourism: Himalayan Bliss Unveiled
Credit:natureloverstrek.com
In Suketar and Phungling Bazaar, tourist facilities are accessible. Trekkers take camping equipment such as tents and provisions in this area, as lodging facilities are insufficient. On the way to Kanchenjunga and Pathibhara, trekkers can use the teashops, lodges, and campsites available.
Pathibhara Devi Temple
Pathibhara Devi, better known as Mukkumlung in the Limbu language, is among Nepal's most visited temples. The temple lies atop a hill at an elevation of 3,794 m.
Pathibhara: Spiritual Heights Captured
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The temple serves as a secondary route for the Kanchenjunga trek. It is also a side trail for those opting for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.
Some of the significant devotees to the Pathibhara Devi Temple include the ex-Royal family of former Nepal.
Gompas/Buddhist Monasteries
The rich cultural heritage of third-largest Nepal's district can be seen in the Buddhist gompas (monasteries), such as the 400-year ancient Diki Chhyoling Gompa of Olangchungola, which has a life-size sculpture of Avalokiteshwara.
Since the building of the gompa, a butter lamp at the altar has been burning continuously here. Twelve prayer wheels with the prayer inscribed "Om Mane Padme Hum" on them are spun continuously by the waters of a small stream flowing outside the gompa.
Trekking in eastern Nepal, — particularly the Kanchenjunga treks, is fulfilling as this region's culture and the scenery is unique. Few other travellers are found along the way. Usually, these treks are two weeks long, and designated campgrounds are available for camping, as lodges are not often accessible along these routes.
How Can You Reach Taplejung?
The Mechi Highway, which connects the East-West or Mahendra Highway at Charali, links Taplejung (headquarters) to the rest of Nepal (Mechinagar). Two hundred twenty-seven kilometres is the distance from Mechinagar to Taplejung (141 mi).
You could also take a bus to Dhankuta - Basantapur - Hile from Dharan and commence the trek from there. Bus services from Birtamod, Jhapa in Eastern Nepal and from Phidim up in Panchthar district hills are available for all four seasons. Sometimes, an overnight stay is needed; otherwise, the trip is a full day.
Tourists can travel to Taplejung from Kathmandu by public bus, jeep or by flight. The closest airport in the region is the Taplejung Airport.
Geography of Taplejung
Geographically, Taplejung is a mountainous region near the third highest peak in the country, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), situated at altitudes ranging from 670 meters (2,200 ft) to 8,586 meters (28,169 ft) from sea level.
The Tamur River is the district's largest river, which runs through the district's centre separating community in Taplejung's east and west. The Gunsa River, the Simbuwa River and several Tamur tributaries are significant freshwater streams. The district has over more than 60 rivers and streams.
Sinjenma Pokhari, Kali Pokhari, Samdo Pokhari, Tin Pokhari, etc., are several glacial lakes. The region contains all of the highest hills, e.g. Gimmigela (7,350 m), Talung (7,349 m), Kabru (7,276 m), Nepal peak (7,177 m), Kumbhkarna (7,025 m) etc. Kanchenjunga Protection Area is a protected area in the Taplejung district covering an area of 2,035 square kilometres.
This is one of the country's most spectacular places in far-eastern Nepal, bordering India to the east and Tibet to the north.
The Tinjure Milke Jaljale ridge, which forms the boundary between the districts of Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha and Tehrathum, lies nearby. This region is well known for its bio-diversity, which contains the most extensive natural rhododendron forest globally, with its highest number of rhododendrons.
Climate of Taplejung District
The climate of Taplejung district can be classified into six climatic zones. They are:
- Upper Tropical: above 300m to 1,000m
- Subtropical: 1,000m to 2,000m
- Temperate: 2,000m to 3,000m
- Subalpine: 3,000m to 4,000m
- Alpine: 4,000m to 5,000m
- Nival: above 5,000m
Almost a significant part of the district falls under the Alpine climatic zone covering nearly 39% of the Taplejung region.
Community of Taplejung
The Limbus are the predominant people in the Kanchenjunga region, with the higher regions populated by Sherpas, Magars, Gurungs, Rais, Tibetans, Newars, Tamangs, and Sunwars. At the same time, the lower areas are inhabited by Chhetris and Brahmins. The region's ethnic diversity is impressive.
The primary sources of revenue for the people here are cardamom farming, fisheries, animal husbandry and tourism.
The people of the Sherpa community who came from Tibet more than four hundred years ago reside at the higher altitudes. The Sherpas of this area have a very different culture and heritage from that of the Sherpas living in the district of Solukhumbu in the Sagarmatha region.
As per the census of 2011, the population of Taplejung was 127,461 out of which over 37.8% spoke Limbu language, 37.4% spoke Nepali, 10.7% spoke Sherpa language, while others communicated in Tamang, Gurung, Magar, and other ethnic languages of Nepal.
Division of the District
The district of Taplejung is divided into nine local ruling bodies, where Phungling is the only urban municipality. At the same time, the other eight are still rural municipalities. The nine local level bodies are:
- Phungling
- Aathrai Tribeni
- Sidingwa
- Phaktanglung
- Mikkwakhola
- Meringden
- Maiwakhola
- Pathibhara Yangwarak
- Sirijangha
Things To Do In Taplejung
- Visit Pathibhara Devi Temple
- Visit Timbung Pokhari
- Trek to Dudh Kunda at Yamtari Glacier
- Understanding the culture of ethnic villages like Lelep and Gunsa.
