Tuwachung Mini Great Wall enchanting tourists

KHOTANG, FEBRUARY 9: The hiking trail built in Tuwachung-Jayajung has become a major tourist attraction. Located in Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-7, the trail is 730 meters long and has been constructed using a stone wall made of limestone, without the use of concrete, in the historic Kirat site of Tuwachung-Jayajung.

The project, initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has been named "Tuwachung Mini Great Wall" by Halesi Tuwachung Municipality. This hiking trail, constructed in the region considered the cradle of the Kirat civilization, is enhancing the beauty of the area with its Mini Great Wall.

According to Kamal Giri, the spokesperson of Halesi Tuwachung Municipality and chairperson of Ward No. 7 Mahadevsthan, the stone wall is constructed by mixing lime and brick dust with fly stones. "Stairs have been built using the same materials in the sloped areas, while stones and soil have been combined in the flat areas to encourage grass growth," he explained. "The trail has a two-meter-wide wall along its length, and the under-construction hiking trail in the Kirat historical site has already started attracting both domestic and international tourists."

Situated at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level, Tuwachung-Jayajung is geographically stunning. From here, one can witness the sunrise and sunset, and on clear days, the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, along with other high mountain ranges to the north, shine like silver. This site, which offers panoramic views of the Himalayas, hills, and the Terai, has become even more attractive with the construction of the Mini Great Wall.

The historical site, where Taya and Khiya (sisters) once wove cloth, still showcases two stone weaving looms (Tan). According to the Kirat Mundumi myth, Taya and Khiya are regarded as the pioneers of civilization for their weaving work.

Tuwachung-Jayajung is also home to full-size statues of the Kirat ancestors, Raichaku, Taya, and Khiya, which have already been installed. Located slightly above Halesi, a meeting point for Hindu, Buddhist, and Kirat followers, Tuwachung-Jayajung has also attracted investments from the federal government. A budget of Rs 58.2 million has been allocated for the construction of the Manjushri Cave hiking trail and the Mangkhim house.

With the completion of the Mini Great Wall and the ongoing construction of the Manjushri hiking trail near the world-renowned tri-religious site of Halesi, the Tuwachung-Jayajung area is further being developed. The Karnel Samriddhi JV, responsible for the joint construction, is also building a parking area at the entrance to Tuwachung-Jayajung with an investment of Rs 6 million. The parking facility will have two levels, with space for two-wheeled vehicles on the lower level and four-wheeled vehicles on the upper level.

As Tuwachung-Jayajung is a historical site, the construction of the Mini Great Wall has been done without using cement concrete, as confirmed by Halesi Tuwachung Municipality Mayor Vimala Rai. She shared that the concept behind the Mini Great Wall is to further organize and attract tourists. "The plan is to transform the area where Taya and Khiya used to weave, build statues of them weaving, and create a park where tourists can enjoy tea and coffee," she said. "We also plan to offer the foods from the Kirat community's kitchen in the area in the future."

The municipality has allocated Rs 3 million for the construction of a statue of Taya and Khiya weaving, and Rs 2.5 million for building a Kirat cultural house with a garden. Mayor Rai confirmed that both the statue and the cultural house would be completed this year.

In the Diktel-Halesi road section under the Mid-Hill Highway, the Tuwachung-Jayajung area hosts the "Sakela Sili" festival, which includes the worship of three hearths. Visitors from all districts of Nepal and neighboring regions like Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Bhutan frequently visit Tuwachung-Jayajung.

As part of the government's list of 100 destinations, Tuwachung-Jayajung, which is part of the Mandum Trail, has seen an increase in visitors studying and observing the Kirat civilization. Due to its steep terrain, the area can be risky, especially during the Sakela dance, so the construction of the stone wall and hiking trail aims to ensure the safety of tourists.