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There is a beautiful and peaceful city of Nepal that stretches along the shore of a beautiful lake, the Phewa Tal. Her name is Pokhara, and surely many of you have never heard of her. However, it is a place that despite the calm that it transmits receives many tourists every day since it is the starting point of innumerable trekkings that take travelers to different circuits through the Annapurnas. It is also for this reason that the city has a large number of shops where you can get everything you need for those days that you will be away from civilization. Although there is no doubt that these outings to the mountains are the main attraction of the city, there are many more things to do & see in Pokhara.
If one decides to escape from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and cross the country to the east, they will be rewarded by the calm of this small city that was taken by the hippies in the 1970s. From that moment on, the city grew and became important as a traveling destination in Nepal until the end of the 1990s, when a Maoist conflict prevented visiting Pokhara for almost a decade. Fortunately, the city resumed its rhythm and today is one of the most complete destinations to see in Nepal. Some things to do & see here include:
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Climb to the Peace Pagoda
On the crest of a mountain on Lake Phewa Tal, you can visit this white Pagoda of World Peace. It was built by Buddhist monks of a Japanese organization and today is one of the best things to do in Pokhara. Even the pagoda can be walked up to the mountain, there is a route that can be done in one hour, and that crosses a forest, another one that takes two hours to pass through rice fields and a beautiful shore as forest.
But something simpler is recommended, which is to go up by bus or taxi to the nearest point to the pagoda and invest your natural strength in going down the mountainside to the lake. The views from the crest on which the pagoda is located are impressive, but the ones you have going down the mountain are also wonderful. Once in the lake, in order to cross it and get to the city, it is enough to get on one of the boats waiting for potential customers next to the restaurant at the end of the road. For a few rupees, you can do all the excursion and give yourself a cold juice to quench your thirst after the walk.
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Paddling in the Phewa Tal
This lake is the second largest in Nepal and one of the most charming places in the country. The landscape that surrounds it is really impressive, few lakes in the world can boast of being the mirror for some of the highest mountains in the world. To walk along its shore, to contemplate it from the Pagoda of Peace or to see it from the heights is a marvel, but it is also to end the day in a boat crossing its calm waters to reach the Varahi Mandir, a small temple on a lake island built in the style of a pagoda with two roofs. To get there, just hire a boat near the lakeside intercity bus stop.
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Go shopping on the shores of the lake
It is almost inevitable not to make any purchase on your visit to Pokhara. The entire area of Lakeside is full of shops, many of them offer clothing and accessories for trekking that start in the city, many others sell handicrafts of different quality, some show work of Tibetan women, whether in textiles or goldsmiths. Many of these things can also be found in Kathmandu, mainly in Thamel stores.
However, buying in Pokhara is more relaxed, the quality, in general, is good, and you can enjoy more of the pleasure of shopping. Also, never forget the art of bargaining. Although not everyone likes to go shopping, there is no doubt that it is something to do in Pokhara. Besides, looking is free, and you do not have to buy anything. You can spend the afternoon just snooping or chatting with the vendors because you can learn something from Nepal that you probably did not know.
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Eat and drink
