Historic Lomanthang Struggles for Tourism Revival Despite Immense Potential

Perched at an altitude of 3,850 metres in Nepal’s Upper Mustang region, the ancient walled city of Lomanthang—once the seat of the Lo Kingdom—remains a hidden treasure with untapped tourism potential. Despite its rich religious, cultural, and natural heritage, local leaders say government restrictions and poor infrastructure have kept international tourists at bay.

Located roughly 180 kilometres from Beni, Myagdi, along the Kaligandaki River, Lomanthang is home to centuries-old palaces, monasteries, and a unique Tibetan Buddhist culture. However, while neighbouring destinations like Marpha, Jomsom, Kagbeni, and Muktinath attract thousands of tourists annually, Lomanthang continues to see a trickle of visitors.

Tasi Nharbu Gurung, Chairman of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, attributes this to the high permit costs imposed on foreign visitors. “To enter Lomanthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda, tourists must pay $500 for a 10-day visit. This policy discourages visitors and restricts economic opportunities for locals,” he said.

Gurung believes the region could witness a significant rise in living standards if the state eases access and actively promotes tourism. “We have unmatched cultural assets and pristine landscapes. With proper facilitation, thousands of international tourists would flock here,” he added.

Lomanthang also borders Tibet, China, presenting further possibilities for trade and cultural exchange. However, the Immigration Office established at the Korola border point remains largely non-functional. “The office was inaugurated in October 2024 by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, along with an Armed Police Force Border Outpost, but they have yet to catalyze the expected economic activity,” Gurung lamented.

He added that the absence of essential units—such as food and livestock quarantine facilities—has hindered the functioning of the immigration infrastructure. Historically, Lomanthang served as a trilateral trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Tibet between the 15th and 20th centuries. That legacy is now nearly forgotten, with locals grappling with limited trade opportunities.

Beyond tourism and trade, access to healthcare remains a pressing issue. Gurung pointed out that helicopter evacuations for medical emergencies require clearance from the Home Ministry—often resulting in fatal delays. Although a hospital has been constructed, it remains underutilized due to shortages of personnel and equipment. “Repeated appeals to provincial and federal authorities have gone unheard,” he said.

With a population of around 2,000 spread across an ancient settlement encircled by a mud wall, Lomanthang is more than 600 years old. The village sits beneath barren mountains and boasts a blend of natural and cultural wonders. Among its many marvels is a two-thousand-year-old cave with approximately 60 rooms carved into a hillside.

Culturally, the region still preserves traditions such as the institution of the Mukhiya (village head), the existence of a symbolic cultural king, and centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist customs. Lomanthang was the capital of the independent Lo Kingdom in the 13th century and remained a Buddhist monarchy—led by kings such as Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista—even after Nepal’s unification in the 18th century, until the monarchy was abolished.

“Lomanthang is a living museum of Tibetan Buddhism and Himalayan history,” said Gurung. “But without meaningful support and policy reforms, we risk losing both its legacy and its potential.”

As Nepal seeks to diversify and revive its tourism industry post-pandemic and post-conflict, places like Lomanthang stand as both a challenge and an opportunity—a forgotten gem in need of focused attention.