Chotlung Park: A testament to culture, nature, and tourism (photos)
Traditional thatched houses, courtyards, stone-built benches, and stairways add to the charm of Chotlung Park, reminiscent of the Limbu culture as depicted in the ancient Mundhum scriptures.
KATHMANDU: Nestled amidst the rhododendron-laden hills lies a scenic meadow surrounded by indigenous architectural marvels.
Traditional thatched houses, courtyards, stone-built benches, and stairways add to the charm of Chotlung Park, reminiscent of the Limbu culture as depicted in the ancient Mundhum scriptures.
Towering stone pillars, native flora like Singjanggo (wild cherry), Phunjingba (wild pear), Telesa (banana), and Lising Fa (bamboo) captivate every visitor to this serene tourist hub near Basantapur, Tehrathum.
Every day, visitors revel in the park’s beauty. Ran Bahadur Subba from Dharan recalls how Chotlung Park brought back memories of a Limbu village from three decades ago. “Villages have transformed entirely now,” he remarked. “But these structures and surroundings evoke the past.” Similarly, Chanchal Limbu from Ilam noted how the park’s traditional infrastructure stands apart from the modern imitations seen elsewhere.
Until 2017, this tranquil spot in Laligurans Municipality-3 was an untouched forest, rarely visited by people, let alone tourists.
However, the establishment of Chotlung Park has turned it into a bustling attraction, welcoming hundreds of visitors daily.
The park’s eco-friendly and culturally rooted tourist facilities offer a unique experience. Chandra Limbu from Dharan, visiting to conduct a naming ceremony for her daughter, found the environment nostalgic. “The homes, courtyards, and wells remind me of simpler times,” she said, appreciating the harmonious blend of tradition and tourism.
The vision of Laligurans Municipality’s Mayor, Arjun Mabu Hang, brought Chotlung Park to life. After being elected in 2017, Mayor Hang prioritized the project, drafting a detailed project report (DPR) and initiating construction.
Despite initial resistance from engineers regarding traditional designs, the project came to fruition. “Now, seeing visitors admire the park fills me with pride,” he shared.
A highlight of the park is the Yuma Museum, inaugurated on Jan 20, 2020, by former Chancellor Bairagi Kainla of the Nepal Academy.
The museum preserves historical treaties, agreements, and rare documents from the Limbuwan era, alongside traditional attire, ornaments, weapons, and tools.
These artifacts, meticulously collected from various Limbuwan regions, aim to keep the community’s history and civilization alive, as Mayor Hang explained. Assistant Professor Dipak Kattel from Myanglung Multiple Campus emphasized the museum’s value for historical and cultural research.
Chotlung Park’s key attractions include its indigenous architecture, pristine environment, and cultural essence. Chair of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Tehrathum, Sesehang Hukpa Chongbang, described it as a “native flower blooming in the rhododendron fields.”
Spread over 100 ropanis, Chotlung Park is easily accessible via the Pushpalal Mid-Hill Highway near Basantapur, a gateway to the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale (TMJ) area, renowned for 28 of Nepal’s 32 rhododendron species.
During blooming seasons, the park becomes a hub for visitors, attracting tourists from across eastern Nepal, India’s Sikkim and Darjeeling, and occasionally beyond.
“Chotlung,” meaning “perfection” in the Limbu language, reflects its purpose as a place of fulfillment. Constructing the park cost over Rs 20 million, funded by Laligurans Municipality, the New Town Development Project Office, Basantapur, Tehrathum, and generous donors.
A nominal entry fee of Rs 50 (Rs 100 for museum access) generates an annual revenue of Rs 1.3 million, according to the municipality.
“While everyone focuses on urbanization, this project celebrates the potential of villages,” Mayor Hang remarked. “Chotlung Park not only promotes eastern hills as a tourist destination but also exemplifies how local governments can achieve meaningful development.”
