25 Fun Facts About Nepal That Will Surprise Every Traveler

First, let me ask you something how much does you really know about Nepal?

If your knowledge includes Mount Everest, Himalayan Range, and birthplace of Buddha, congratulations, you’re not too far from the truth. But that’s just about half of it. You will be amazed at how many secrets, wonders and fun facts about Nepal await you once you dive deeper into Nepal.

It’s safe to say that Nepal is a very small country situated right between two global superpowers, India and China. And yet, for some reason, this tiny state offers breathtaking sceneries, amazing culture, and traditions, and stories that are hard to forget. On one side, snowy peaks of Himalayan range, and on the other thick green jungles of Terai.

Nepal is most famously known as the land of Mount Everest, which is the tallest mountain in the world. And each year, the legendary peak attracts many climbers and trekkers from across the world. But that’s just the beginning. Nepal has other eight peak of the world’s fourteen highest mountain, endangered species such as snow leopard, single horned rhinoceros, and red panda, and temple and cities from ancient times and festival that attract the community together.

And these interesting facts about Nepal do not stop here, as Nepal has more than 120 languages, use a unique calendar that is 56 to 57 years ahead of Gregorian Calendar, and birthplace of Lord Buddha. However, the most exciting thing about Nepal is the flag which is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world.

That’s what makes Nepal facts like those fascinating and leave you wondering how you never knew such thing before!

So, whether you’re planning your journey into the Himalayas, learning more about the next travel destination on your list, or simply wanting to know something more about Nepal, you have come to the perfect place. Below are the 25 fun facts about Nepal that will intrigue you.

Everest Base Camp Trek

First, let me ask you something how much does you really know about Nepal? If your knowledge includes Mount Everest, Himalayan Range, and birthplace of Buddha, congratulations, you’re...

14 Days

Moderate

25 Fun Facts About Nepal

1. Nepal is a Home to the World’s Highest Mountain (Mount Everest)

Mount Everest is the World’s highest mountain in Nepal which is at 8848 meter above sea level. For Nepalese people, it is known as Sagarmatha which mean “Forehead of the Sky” and there something poetic about this name that English word can’t convey.

Every year hundreds of climbers attempt to reach either the Everest summit or the Everest base camp. But Mount Everest isn’t only famous for its climbing challenges, but for its deep cultural spot, spiritual destination, and immense source of national pride for Nepal and it is not the end of it.

2. Only Non-Rectangular National Flag

The flag of every country has rectangular shape except Nepal. The flag of Nepal is a unique double pennant that consists of two triangles places one above the other. The color red represents the rhododendron. The blue represents peace. Lastly the sun and moon in the middle of each triangle means that Nepal will exist as long as the celestial bodies exist.

3. Lord Buddha was Born in Lumbini, Nepal

Lumbini, located in the southern part of Nepal, is known for the birthplace of Gautam Buddha (Shidhartha Gautama). Lumbini serves as a pilgrimage point for people from all around the countries, especially from those who follow Buddhism. The Maya Devi Temple is the exact location where Buddha was born around 563 BC and it became a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

4. Eight of the World’s Fourteen Highest Mountains

The total number of mountains above 8,000 m around the world is fourteen and Nepal has 8 of these mountains. These mountains are Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu and Mt. Annapurna. All these mountains require immense effort, training, and preparation to complete. Even for people who have never done any trekking, one of the trekking experiences in any of these mountains would be life changing. It is hard to describe these mountains in words. One of the fun facts about Nepal is its unique ability to house the Giants of the world inside its small territory.

5. Nepal has 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The number of World Heritage sites that Nepal has is quite impressive considering its size. There are ten World Heritage Sites, which includes seven cultural and three natural ones. Some of these are the Kathmandu Valley with Durbar Squares, the ancient’s temples like Pashupatinath and Bhoothnath, the place where Buddha was born called Lumbini, and Chitwan and Sagarmatha National Park. Each one is representative of Nepal’s rich past and natural resources.

6. Nepal is One of the Few Countries Never Colonized

While most part of Asia were ruled by Europeans through colonization, Nepal managed to keep its independence. Nepal manages to maintain its independence despite begin surrounded by India, which was a colony of the British Empire at one point in time. The Anglo-Nepalese War which lasted from 1814 till 1816 resulted in a peace treaty and Nepal continues to be independed without being colonized. This is an interesting fact about Nepal that makes Nepalese proud of their nation.

7. Nepal Has More Than 120 Ethnic Group

Nepal is one of the most ethnically diverse nation in Asia. There are more than 120 different ethnic communities living in Nepal: Sherpas, Newars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Tharus, Magars, Rais, Limbus and so on. Every community has its own unique culture, dress, music, cuisine and tradition. This diversity is not something to be talked about but also something that can bee see in everyday life in Kathmandu, at the festival in Bhaktapur, in villages located deep in the Himalayas Mountains. For tourist, learning different cultural diversity is one of the highlights of Nepal and one of the fun facts about Nepal.

8. Over 120 Languages are Spokes across Nepal

Due to Nepal’s large ethnic diversity, it naturally gives rise to different languages. There are more than 120 languages used in various part of Nepal. Nepali language is he official language which unites people. However, when visiting some remote and distant area of Nepal, you may hear Tamang, Newari, Maithili, Sherpa and rai language which is their mother language and have unique sound, vocabulary and even writing system.

9. The Living Goddess Kumari

Nepal is the only country on Earth that honors a living human goddess. The Kumari is a little girl who is selected from amongst the Newar Buddhists in a very elaborate and highly traditional manner. She lives in the Kumari Ghar, which is a very beautiful wooden palace located in the Durbar Square of Kathmandu. She makes her appearance to her followers at certain occasions and is considered as the living embodiment of the goddess Taleju.

She will be Kumari until her puberty hit. After that she goes back to a normal person and another Kumari is selected. It is one of the most amazing fun facts about Nepal that has existed for hundreds of years.

10. Nepal Celebrates More than 50 Festivals Every Year

Nepal is very good at celebrating life with enthusiasm and sincerity. In Nepal there are more than 50 festivals that are celebrated. Some of the largest festivals that all Nepali celebrates are Dashain and Tihar, where families gather together, Holi is another popular festival of color celebrated by spreading colors around the streets in a very fun way, Indra Jatra Festival is celebrated in Kathmandu with dancing and parades, and Buddha Jayanti is celebrated by lighting up candles to mark the birthday of the Buddha. Every single festival in mix of both Hinduism and Buddhism tradition which make Nepal stand out.

11. Nepal has the Deep Kali Gandaki Gorge between two 8,000 m peaks

Kali Gandaki Gorge is a breathtaking gorge between the towering Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains, which are among the tallest mountain in the world. The depth of this gorge in certain areas from the bottom of the river to the mountain peak is more than 5,000 meter and it is considered to be amongst the deepest gorges of the world. In ancient times, this route was used for transporting good from Nepal to Tibet such as salt, wool, and spices. Now, this is used by trekkers during Annapurna Circuit pass while enjoying its geological significance.

12. Nepal is home to the rare One Horned Rhinoceros and Bengal Tiger

Some National Park like Chitwan National Park are known to preserve some of the rarest animal in Asia. One horned rhinoceros which was on a brink of extinction at one point, has been recovered due to many years of conservation efforts. Also, a number of Bengal tigers can also be found in this forest. Nepal is one of the few countries in the world that has successfully meets its objectives in tiger conservation, which is a remarkable achievement for the country.

13. The Country’s Elevation from 59 meter to 8,848 meters

There are very places in the world which have such elevation variation like of Nepal. The lowest elevation of Nepal is in Terai region which is just 59 meter above the sea level and the highest elevation is the Mount Everest, which has an elevation of 8,848 meter above the sea level. It is because of this variation of elevations that Nepal has all type of ecosystems. Here, in just a few days of driving, you can go from hot jungle area to freezing heights of the mountains which is really interesting facts about Nepal if you think about it.

14. Nepal has the Highest Freshwater Lake for its Size – Tilicho Lake

The Tilicho Lake which is the one of the highest freshwaters in the word located in Annapurna region. This is a location of unparallel natural beauty that just cannot be described in words. You have to see it to actually experience its magic, but it does involve a tough trekking from the Annapurna Circuit route. In addition to its natural beauty, the lake is also known to hold great religious importance in Hindu myths and legends, and it has been referenced in ancient epic Ramayana.

15. Yaks Are an Essential Part of Himalayan Life

In Nepal, above 3,000 meters, yaks are not only animal but a way of life. They help carry huge load across the passes, provide milk from which butter and cheese are made, supply wool in making clothes and have been helping mountain people for centuries.

The tourists trekking the mountains will see yak caravans moving along the narrow mountain trails in the region of Everest and Manaslu. The sound of the bells carried by the yaks jingling in the valley is one of the most characteristic sounds of the Himalayas.

16. Sherpa are Globally Respected for High Altitude Mountaineering

The Sherpa from the Khumbu area of Nepal has a worldwide recognition for their extraordinary talent of mountaineering in high altitude. After living in the high altitude for century their bodies have gone through genetic modification enabling them to survive in low oxygen than any other average person.

The Sherpa Tenzing Norgay played an historic part along with Edmund Hillary with making the first ever climb of Mount Everest Back in 1953. From that time, Sherpa have been leading hundreds of climbs, performing unbelievable acts of courage that would astonish the whole world of climbing. Many of them have ascended Everest more than once. Their impact on the exploration of the Himalayas is unreal. Among all the exciting facts about Nepal, the story of the Sherpas is the most encouraging one.

17. Teahouse in the High altitude

Nepal’s teahouse is one of the most traveler friendly houses you can ever find in the entire world. On all the famous trekking routes in Nepal, you will find teahouse where the owner gives trekker accommodation, food and kind hospitality. You will get a comfortable place to sleep and warm meal like Dal Bhat to eat in the middle of mountainous area. It is one of the greatest experiences a trekker can get when relaxing in a warm corner of teahouse after a tiring trekking day, sipping hot tea and exchanging stories with fellow trekkers and locals.

18. Nepal’s National Bird, the Danphe

The Danphe, also known as the Himalayan Monal, is the national bird of Nepal. Just one glance will show why. The colors on its feathers include shades of blue, green, purple, red, and copper which shine spectacularly under the sun in the mountains where it resides in the Himalayas.

This bird is found in the Himalayan regions ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 meters in altitude in the forest areas of the country. Meeting a Danphe when trekking in the wild stops people in their tracks. More than 900 birds live in Nepal, and the Danphe is a special one to be known as National bird of Nepal.

19. Nepal is Rich in Biodiversity Despite covering less than 0.1% of Earth’s land area

Nepal which is a very small county that covers less than 0.1% of the Earth’s land. And yet, within its boundaries exist about 3 to 4% of all flowering plants on Earth, 900 different bird species, and more than 180 different mammal species.

The snow leopard, red panda, clouded leopard, Gangetic River dolphin, and Indian rhinoceros are all found within this small country. All this incredible variety of fauna is possible due to the great elevation difference in Nepal that gives rise to several ecosystems one above another.

20. Rhododendron Forests Cover the Hills in Spring

Every year during spring, the hills of Nepal come alive with vibrant colors. The rhododendron, which is the National flower of Nepal, blossoms in the color of intense, red, soft pink and white from March to May, enhancing the beauty of the entire forest.

Amongst the many trekking route that exist in Nepal, the Annapurna Circuit Trek, the Langtang Valley Trek, Pikey Peak Trek and Ghorepani Poonhill Trek are especially known for the beauty of rhododendron. There are around 30 types of rhododendron flower found in the hills and mountains of Nepal, which is quite an interesting fact about Nepal in itself.

21. Nepal is Hote to Hundreds of Medicinal Herbs found only in the Himalayas

It won’t be wrong to consider Nepal’s Himalayas as a nature’s pharmacy because many medicinal herbs and plants are found in Nepal’s mountains that cannot found anywhere else in the world.

Yarsagumba, a very rare caterpillar fungus that grows only at high altitudes is the most precious medicine in the world which is utilized in Tibetan and Chinese traditional medicine. Jatamansi, Kutki, Timur, and Himalayan Rhododendron are some of the herbal plants that have been used for Ayurvedic remedies for many centuries. These herbal secrets have been kept alive through the traditional knowledge of the local communities.

22. Nepali Cuisine is more than just momo

When people think of Nepali cuisine, the first things that come to mind is momo, which is a kind of steamed or fired dumplings. But Nepali cuisine has more than just the momo. The national dish of Nepal is called Dal Bhat, and it consist of healthy mix of rice, lentil soup, veggies and pickles which is eaten twice a day by most Nepalese. Sel roti is a tasty dish consisting of rice flour and is serve during festive occasion. Gundruk is a fermented leafy green veggie and very unique. Thukpa is a noodle soup mostly eaten in the hills.

23. Janakpur Birthplace of Goddess Sita

Janakpur, a city of Nepal located in Madhesh Pradesh, is the birthplace of Goddess Sita, one of the main characters of the Hindu mythological epic Ramayana. There is an outstanding white marble temple of Goddess Sita, Janaki Mandir in Janakpur, which attracts hundreds of Hindu pilgrims every year. In Janakpur, there is also celebrated Vivah Panchami festival that marks the marriage ceremony of Goddess Sita and Lord Ram. This religious site is definitely the most interesting fun fact about Nepal for Hindu pilgrims.

24. Nepali Hospitality is Known Around the World

There is a Nepalese saying, “Atithi Devo Bhava”, which translates to “guest is God”. This attitude towards guests defines the hospitality that Nepalis have in welcoming them to their houses, tea houses and communities. It is often said by trekkers as one of the best things during their stay in the country. Someone trekking alone on the mountain will be offered directions, food and even a chat without any expectations in return. Such unselfish, unhurried nature of people is not an approach developed for the tourism sector; it is the culture.

25. Every Region of Nepal has an Entirely Different Landscape, Culture and Lifestyle

Nepal is not one place, its multiple places combined together to build a strong nation. In the south lies the Terai, where you will find safaris and pilgrimage sites, in the mid hills is agriculture along with temples, festivals, and monasteries, the high Himalayas have trekking sites, glacier walks, and Sherpa villages and in the Mustang area, you will feel like you are in Tibet. Every region in Nepal has its own cuisine, languages, culture, and way of living. No two areas in Nepal are alike. This unique variation within Nepal is arguably the most inspiring among all interesting facts about Nepal.

Final Thoughts

There are more things hidden in Nepal beside those presented by these 25 fun facts about Nepal. The real uniqueness of Nepal lies in combination of all these features together. Its mountain, people, culture and spirituality in addition to the variety of other experiences provided within this small country.

Whether you travel to Nepal for trekking to the Everest Base Camp, to catch sight of a one-horned rhinoceros in Chitwan, to meditate at Lumbini, or simply to walk through the historical streets of Kathmandu without any specific purpose, you will be surprised by this beautiful nation. It will surprise you in ways which you did not expect. And this is not a lie. This is just how things work.