Why the Mustang is known as “The Forbidden Kingdom”

Why the Mustang is known as “The Forbidden Kingdom”

Some of the final traces of ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture can be found in Upper Mustang, a hidden jewel that was formerly known as the Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal. Mustang offers a wealth of captivating sites with rich historical narratives and cultural elements for those looking for an unmatched trip.

The old Upper Mustang region, which included the northern two-thirds of the current Mustang District, was formerly known as the Kingdom of Lo. The Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal got its name because foreigners were only permitted to enter in 1992. At the center of this historic monarchy lies the capital, Lo Manthang, which provides a window into a world that hasn’t altered much in decades.

What is the location of Nepal’s Forbidden city ?
In Nepal’s north-central region, Upper Mustang is located beyond the 8000-meter summits of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. This undiscovered treasure of Nepal stretches far into the huge Tibetan plateau and is located close within the country’s border with Tibet. Upper Mustang, the more isolated and culturally diverse region, is separated from Lower Mustang.

It is a semi-arid desert that is ideal for incredible hiking experiences because of its distinctive rock formations, steep gorges, and stunning scenery. Mustang has a certain appeal that was kept hidden from the public until 19992. This is the best-preserved Tibetan culture in the world, with the majority of people speaking Tibetan.

History Upper Mustang
The rich history of the Kingdom begins in the 15th century, when Mustang played a significant role as a halt on the salt trade route connecting the vast Indian markets with Tibet’s arid salt lakes. Ame Pal established Mustang as the Kingdom of Lo in 1380, and Lo Manthang, a walled city that functioned as the capital, was the first autonomous kingdom.

As long as Nepal remained a monarchy, Mustang was permitted to retain its inherited kings even though it joined Nepal in the 18th century. With roots dating back 25 generations to Ame Pal, the royal family governed from the walled city of Lo Manthang. Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista (born 1933), the last recognized and current unofficial King of Gyelpo, can trace his ancestry all the way back to Ame Pal, the warrior who established this Buddhist kingdom in 1380.

Following Nepal’s transformation from a kingdom to a republic, the Kingdom monuments were retired in 2008. Mustang still has stronger ethnic and cultural ties to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, than it does to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

The Lo Kingdom
Should you decide to visit the Last Forbidden Kingdom in Nepal? The answer is a loud yes, whispered through the mountain winds. Lo Manthang is a village inside the citadel with a population of no more than 200 homes.

The city is filled with amazing sights that are entwined with spiritual, historical, cultural, and natural elements. Numerous walls, chortens, and monasteries that have held shrouded Buddhist scriptures and artwork for centuries can be explored on foot, providing a unique walking experience. It is particularly well-known for its enigmatic sky caverns, which number about 10,000. These caverns are carved out of the rocky cliffs.

How to go to Mustang, Nepal
Pokhara is the starting point for the Upper Mustang trip. You may drive or take a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

You can fly, take a public bus, rent a vehicle, or ride your bike from Pokhara to Jomsom. You must hike to Kagbeni, the entrance to Upper Mustang, after arriving in Jomsom. To get into Upper Mustang, you must climb north from Kagbeni.

Permits for the Upper Mustang
You must go in groups of two or more with a guide in order to explore Upper Mustang, and you must obtain a special authorization from the Nepalese government in Kathmandu. For the first ten days, the permit costs USD 500, and each extra day costs USD 50. An ACAP entry permit is also required; it costs about USD 30 for foreigners and NPR 200 for SAARC citizens.

This allows one to see Upper Mustang’s rich culture, historic monasteries, and hospitable Thakali and Gurung populations in addition to its breathtaking scenery of eroded sandstone pillars and moraine terraces. For a more laid-back, hassle-free experience, tours can be customized.