Baglung, Western Region, Nepal
Located on a plateau overlooking the picturesque Kali Gandaki Valley, with the snowcapped Mount Dhaulagiri in the distance, the town of Baglung is an important destination for trekkers exploring the surroundings, including Annapurna, Dhorpatan, Dhaulagiri and Dolpo. Also known as Baglung Bazar, this rather isolated town was a stopover point for traders in ancient times as they traveled the rugged terrain on a north-south trade route, sometimes under very difficult conditions. These days travelers can reach Baglung quite easily by means of a paved road from Pokhara located around 72 kilometers to the east, and the town is the administrative headquarters of both the Baglung District and the Dhawalagiri Zone.
The residents of Baglung come from many different backgrounds, forming a multiracial and multicultural community of Magar, Chhantyal, Chhettri, Dalits, Newar, Gurung, Thakali and Brahmin ethnic groups. The most widely practiced religion in Baglung is Hinduism, with Buddhism and Islam featuring to a smaller degree. Baglung is an important destination for pilgrims who gather to worship at the many temples, particularly during Nepal’s festivals.
Popular activities around Baglung and in the Baglung District include trekking, mountain biking and white water rafting. The scenery is breathtaking and the terrain is varied, with gorges, waterfalls, caves and forests, intersperse with terraced, cultivated fields – natural beauty, Nepal-style.