From Cholung Park to Tinjure and Gupha Pokhari: A Top Tourist Attraction in the New Year
1st Baisakh, Tehrathum – The area stretching from Cholung Park to Tinjure and Gupha Pokhari has become a major attraction for tourists during the New Year celebrations in eastern Nepal. The Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale (TMJ) trail, located at the junction of Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, and Taplejung districts, has become a hub for nature lovers, trekking enthusiasts, and photographers. In spring, this region transforms into a vibrant world of rhododendrons. Known as the “Capital of Rhododendrons,” the area draws thousands of visitors on New Year’s Day. When the hills and ridges are painted red with various species of rhododendrons, the natural beauty of the area becomes even more enchanting. The rhododendron forests spreading from Tinjure Hill to Milke and Jaljale have become the top choice for tourists.
Cholung Park serves as the gateway to this region. From here, visitors travel to RR Garden, Ghurpise, Pathibhara, and then ascend to Tinjure Hill. The mesmerizing views of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Kumbhakarna mountains from Tinjure captivate all who visit. Continuing from Tinjure, tourists reach Gupha Pokhari in the Milke-Jaljale region via Chaukibazar and Mangalbare. Gupha Pokhari holds religious and natural significance; its peaceful surroundings, adjacent rhododendron forests, and cool air offer visitors spiritual and mental tranquility. Activity at this site increases markedly during the New Year. Not only do tourists from the eastern Terai districts of Nepal visit, but thousands also come from neighboring India’s Sikkim, Darjeeling, and West Bengal.
The rhododendron blooming season, beautiful mountain vistas, and cool weather make this a popular spot for celebrating the New Year, a fact confirmed by local residents. The growing number of tourists means hotels and homestays here are often fully booked. According to Hima Khanal, a hotelier in Gupha Bazaar, room bookings during the New Year and rhododendron season must be made well in advance, not just for two or four days but even earlier. Local resident Shriprasad Karki notes that managing the influx of tourists poses a challenge for both hotels and homestays during this season. Easy access via various types of vehicles continues to boost tourist arrivals.
With road network expansion, tourists can now easily reach close by motorcycle, jeep, or bus. This accessibility distinguishes the TMJ area from other remote tourist destinations. To manage the increasing traffic, a bus park has been constructed in Ghurpise, which plays a crucial role in transportation management, traffic control, and facilitating tourist movement. The combined efforts of local government and communities have had a positive impact on tourism promotion. TMJ boasts rich biodiversity, hosting hundreds of plant species, rare medicinal herbs, birds, and wildlife. The trek from Cholung Park to Gupha Pokhari is considered peaceful, safe, and scenic. Trails connecting villages, the local cultural life, homestay facilities, and organic food experiences bring tourists closer to rural lifestyles. However, despite its enormous potential, improvements in infrastructure development, marketing, and long-term tourism management remain necessary. With planned and efficient implementation by concerned authorities, this region could become one of Nepal’s premier tourist destinations. During the New Year, the journey from Cholung Park to Tinjure and onward to Gupha Pokhari offers an excellent choice for those seeking nature, culture, tranquility, and adventurous trekking. The rhododendron-covered hills, breathtaking mountain vistas, convenient access, and organized transportation collectively establish this region as a must-visit destination for the New Year.
