Birthplace of Buddha lures people to Nepal

While many Koreans believe the birthplace of Buddha to be in India, Nepal’s state tourism agency aims to correct the misconception and promote their country as the actual birthplace of Buddha.

As the year marks Visit Lumbini Year, Nepal Tourism Board also aims to draw more Korean tourists to the major Buddhist pilgrimage site and establish the place as a symbol of peace. 

“Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha born more than 2,500 years ago. As the year marks the Visit Lumbini Year, we plan to establish the place as the symbol of peace and spread Buddha’s messages to the world,” said Hikmat Singh Ayer, Director of Corporate Services of Nepal Tourism Board.

Lumbini, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a pilgrimage site that attracts a large number of Buddhist devotees from around the world.

“Throughout the campaign, we will conduct active promotion work to draw Buddhist devotees as well as trekkers and backpackers to Nepal,” Ayer said.

He said Nepal aims to attract 1 million foreign visitors this year and including more from Korea.

“We see it as positive that Korean tourists are increasing quickly over time,” he said.

Korean visitors are expected to exceed 30,000 this year, an increase from the 23,675 Koreans traveled to Nepal last year.

“We will hire more tour guides who can speak Korean and offer a variety of travel packages that can appeal to them,” Ayer said.

The Nepalese government plans to turn the holy place for Buddhists into a modern Buddhism tourist site with modern and clean hotels and restaurants.

Nepal, sandwiched between China and India, boasts unique natural landscapes.

An increasing number of tourists visit the country to experience natural wonder the country offers from the world’s highest point Mount Everest to the lush jungles in the southern region.

The protected areas cover 23 percent of the country’s land which includes 10 national parks, three wild animal protection sites and six other protection areas.

With 101 ethnic tribes and 92 languages spoken, the country offers a variety of cultural experience as well.

The board recommends tourists looking for historical experiences to visit Lumbini and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Swayambhunath Temple, the oldest temple in Nepal.

Tourists can also partake in trekking, jungle safari, rafting, paragliding, rock climbing in several parts of the country.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)