Stakeholders from Nepal and China’s Sichuan Province have called for stronger cooperation in cultural exchange and tourism promotion to deepen ties between the two sides and unlock new opportunities in the tourism and investment sectors. The call was made at the China (Sichuan)-Nepal Cultural and Tourism Industry Exchange Conference organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Sichuan Province. Speakers at the event emphasized the need to promote greater exchanges in art, culture and tourism between Nepal and Sichuan Province.
Sichuan Highlights Nepal’s Himalayan Tourism Potential
Chen Guanghao, Director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said Nepal and Sichuan should work together through greater coordination and cooperation in cultural exchange and tourism promotion. He highlighted Nepal’s strong potential in mountain and trekking tourism and said the time had come for the two sides to further strengthen collaboration. “Nepal is a country with immense potential in Himalayan and trekking tourism. It is now time for both sides to move forward through cooperation in cultural exchange and tourism promotion,” Guanghao said.
He also highlighted the relatively short travel distance between Nepal and Sichuan, noting that Sichuan can be reached from Nepal in around three hours by air. He invited Nepali travelers to explore Sichuan, which is known for its mountain landscapes, scenic Himalayan regions and giant pandas. According to Guanghao, Sichuan welcomed 1.19 billion domestic tourists in 2025, reflecting the province’s strong tourism industry and its wide range of natural and cultural attractions.
Nepal Calls for Greater Chinese Tourism and Investment
Chhabindra Parajuli, Director General of the Department of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized the importance of maintaining the friendly relationship between Nepal and China while expanding cultural and economic exchanges. He called on Chinese government and private-sector investors to explore opportunities in Nepal’s tourism and other economic sectors.
“China’s government and private sector should be encouraged to promote investment in Nepal’s tourism and other diverse sectors,” Parajuli said, while also inviting Chinese tourists to visit Nepal and experience its vast tourism potential. He said Nepal’s natural, cultural and adventure tourism resources offer significant opportunities for Chinese travelers and investors.
Call to Expand Cultural Ties into Investment Cooperation
Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal, former member of the National Planning Commission, called for the expansion of Nepal-China cultural exchanges into broader areas of economic cooperation. He urged Chinese investors to explore opportunities in Nepal’s energy, industries, manufacturing and other sectors, saying the country offers significant potential for investment.
Dr. Phuyal also encouraged Chinese visitors to travel to Nepal and called for investment in the country’s tourism sector. He emphasized that stronger people-to-people connections through tourism could help create a foundation for wider economic cooperation between Nepal and China.
Sichuan Airlines Plans Further Expansion
Sun Changqiu, a representative of Sichuan Airlines in Nepal, said the airline has been providing quality and affordable services to travelers. He also said the airline is preparing to operate flights using Airbus aircraft in the near future, which could further strengthen air connectivity between Nepal and Sichuan Province. Improved air connectivity is expected to play an important role in increasing tourist movement, facilitating cultural exchanges and supporting business and investment relations between the two destinations.
Tourism Stakeholders Promote Mutual Visits
Tourism stakeholders from both Nepal and China called on representatives from the two sides to visit each other’s destinations and gain a deeper understanding of their tourism potential. Nepal offers world-renowned Himalayan landscapes, trekking routes, cultural heritage, spiritual destinations and adventure tourism opportunities. Sichuan, meanwhile, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery, rich cultural heritage, natural attractions and giant panda conservation.
The discussions highlighted the potential for cooperation in cultural tourism, adventure tourism, spiritual tourism, destination promotion and tourism investment. The exchange conference comes at a time when Nepal and China are seeking to strengthen tourism connectivity and expand people-to-people relations. Greater cooperation between Nepal and Sichuan Province could help create new tourism products, increase visitor flows and open additional opportunities for cultural and economic collaboration. With closer coordination between tourism authorities, airlines, businesses and cultural institutions, Nepal and Sichuan are expected to further strengthen cooperation in tourism and cultural exchange in the coming years.
