Tansen, a small ancient bazaar and district headquarter of Palpa Nepal, is most famous for its local fabric Dhaka and Nepal's version of the Taj Mahal, Rani Mahal. With plenty of things to do and to see, Tansen Palpa has been gaining popularity quickly among solo and couple travellers. Tansen is a Newari trading town on the route from India to Tibet. Palpa is a lovely destination to visit for nature and culture enthusiasts, with its vibrant culture, laid-back ambience, and stunning natural landscape. Tansen, situated between Pokhara and Lumbini, used to be the capital of the Magar kingdom Tanahun, making it a perfect stopover destination on Nepal's golden triangle tour Kathmandu - Pokhara - Lumbini - Chitwan - Kathmandu, Nepal.
In this blog post, we have compiled the best things to do in Tansen and Palpa district, which will help you experience Tansen's laid-back vibe and enjoy its cultural wonders.
1. Visit to Rani Mahal
Palpa is home to Rani Mahal (Queens Palace in Nepali), which honours the General and governor of Palpa, Khadga Shamsher's love for his young wife Tej Kumari Devi, who died a year before its construction started. Rani Mahal is a remembrance of her and, therefore, also called the “Taj Mahal of Nepal ''. Its surroundings and ghats beneath the palace, which was constructed in 1894, are peaceful and wonderful. Located high above a single huge stone on the east bank of the confluence of the Ridi and the Kaligandaki rivers, a sacred bathing place for Hindus. Khadga Shamsher couldn't enjoy its Rani palace for very long. In 1902, he and his family flew to India, after which the palace was abandoned for a long time. Recently, the Nepali government restored the Rani Mahal, and it is open to the public.
You can reach the Queen's palace by car or hiking from your homestay in Palpa.
2. Hiking in Palpa
Palpa is a great destination to visit if you like to hike. There are plenty of hiking possibilities, and we have listed some of our favourite walks here.
Hike to Rani Mahal
Hiking to the above-described Rani Mahal is about a two-hour, mostly downhill walk. The trek from your Palpa homestay to Ranighat offers stunning natural beauty, views of mountain ranges, a tranquil waterfall, and breathtaking scenery. Hikers will enjoy the Ranigat trek, which passes through cornfields, rustic hamlets, lush forests, and tiny streams.
You can walk back, which will take about 4 hours, or you can arrange for a car to take you back to your homestay.
Hike to Aryabhanjyang
The ridge walk from Bagnaskot to Aryabhanjyang offers stunning views of Palpa and beyond. Along this hike, you can interact with locals, see paddy fields, and enjoy stunning landscapes with green hills and villages. You can either take a bus back from Arya Bhanjyang to your homestay or arrange a pick-up.
Hike to the Bhairav Temple
The Bhairav Temple, dedicated to the fierce manifestation of Shiva, is a famous temple among pilgrims, who visit the temple to worship and protect mainly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Bhairav god in this temple is so powerful that a human being can't look directly at it. Offerings are made through a priest who worships Bhairav from behind a curtain. Reaching the temple from your homestay takes about half a day of hiking. The temple, which is located on a hilltop, offers beautiful panoramic views of the mountains. It's possible to order transport to bring you up so you only have to walk down.
Hike to the View Tower of Srinagar Hill
To the view tower of Srinagar hill is a short walk up from Tansen Bazaar. From the tower, you have amazing views over the Himalayas, the Kali Gandaki river and Terai plains. You can also see the tops of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Langtang. When you look south you can see over the Madi valley west of Palpa and the Terai.
3. Shop for traditional Dhaka fabric
Tansen is the best place in Nepal to buy the famous Dhaka fabrics, which come in excellent colour compositions and are great souvenirs. Dhaka is a cotton fabric made by hand and woven with different complex patterns. Dhaka fabric is a traditional art form of the indigenous Limbu & Rai People. The famous coloured hats Nepali men wear are made in Dhaka. Other famous Dhaka products are blankets, purses, and bags. The handwoven fabrics boost employment opportunities for women in the Palpa district.
4. Visit a Coffee Farm
The first coffee farms in Nepal were established in the Palpa Tansen district, and they are an important economic driver. Palpa has been farming coffee for more than four decades, and it can genuinely be called Nepal's coffee home. During a farm visit, you will learn how the organically grown beans are cultivated.
5. Sightseeing in the old town of Tansen Palpa
As a well-preserved ancient town, Tansen Palpa is a heaven for history and culture lovers. With its many temples and old buildings to discover and explore, the old settings with streets full of cobblestones take you back in time. The most important highlight is Durbar Square, whose massive entrance gate houses a museum.
The same General who created the beautiful Rani palace built the white Sittalpati, a curious octagonal pavilion in the middle of the town's main square. The oldest temple of Palpa Tansen, the Bhimsen temple, and the three tier temple of Amar Narayan Mandir with its skilled wood carvings of deities and erotic postures. Besides being a historic town, Tansen is also a bazaar with plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Book a guide who will share the stories connected with the ancient buildings and bring Palpa's rich history alive.
6. Stay with locals in community homestays
Getting to know locals will make your travels in Nepal much more fun and informative. Stay in a homestay with a private room, basic Western comfort, hot water and toilets. Your host families will make delicious meals for you, and they can help you organize your trips in and around Tansen. The homestays are located in a peaceful, hilly environment. The highlight of staying in one of the six homestays of Tansen is drinking locally brewed coffee while enjoying the amazing views from the terrace.
Those were the best things to do in Tansen Palpa, Nepal. Tansen is the destination for solo and couple travellers who love great views, coffee, history, and culture.
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