Baglung, widely recognized as the “District of Suspension Bridges,” continues to see an increase in the construction of these iconic structures, significantly enhancing tourism in the region. Over the past two years alone, 41 new suspension bridges have been constructed, drawing both domestic and international tourists to the area.
In the fiscal year 2079/80, 25 suspension bridges were built, followed by an additional 16 bridges in 2080/81. These bridges have not only made travel safer and more convenient for thousands of locals but have also turned Baglung into an attractive destination for tourists. One of the most notable attractions is the long suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River, connecting Baglung and Parbat districts, which has led to a surge in tourist arrivals.
Since its completion in 2077, the 567-meter-long bridge connecting Bangachaur in Baglung Municipality-1 to Pang in Kushma Municipality-1, Parbat, has attracted significant attention, drawing visitors from across Nepal and beyond. Claimed to be the longest suspension bridge in Nepal, it has become a major tourist attraction. Last year, another impressive suspension bridge, measuring 523 meters, was constructed, linking Gauridham in Baglung Municipality-4 to Odare in Jaljala Rural Municipality-8, Parbat. These bridges have played a pivotal role in boosting the number of tourists visiting the district.
The suspension bridges in the rural areas of Baglung have become popular among domestic tourists, who are increasingly drawn to these engineering marvels. The two long suspension bridges near Baglung Bazaar, the district headquarters, have extended the stay of tourists who initially visited the Baglung Kalika Temple, encouraging them to explore the town further. These bridges have also facilitated access to various religious and tourist sites in the region.
According to Raju Khadka, Chairman of the Baglung Tourism Development Committee and Deputy Mayor of Baglung Municipality, the bridges have contributed to a 30% increase in tourist arrivals in Baglung. “The bridges have elevated Baglung’s identity,” Khadka stated, adding that the municipality has launched a tourism promotion campaign with the slogan ‘City of Hills and Bridges, Cultural Heritage.’ “The bridges are connecting people from far and wide.”
Baglung’s ten local levels now boast over a dozen suspension bridges, greatly easing travel for residents in rural areas. Nar Bahadur Bik of Tamankhola Rural Municipality-2 highlighted how the bridges have transformed local life. “Before the bridge, it took nearly two hours to travel from one village to another; now it takes just five minutes,” Bik said. “Not only has our daily life changed, but people from outside are also visiting. Visitors often buy locally produced goods, and if we improve the road to the bridge and promote it, even more tourists will come.”
The long suspension bridge near Burtibang Bazaar, Baglung’s second-largest trading center, has also seen a rise in the number of domestic tourists over the past two years. Dhan Bahadur Kayat (Kalyan), Deputy Mayor of Dhorpatan Municipality, mentioned that more people visit the bridge to take photos and videos than to cross it. The bridge, which connects Bisamar and Ghosakhani villages across the Tamankhola River, has become a focal point for internal tourism, with more than 200 tourists crossing it daily.
Another 243-meter-long suspension bridge, constructed two years ago above the Burtibang-Bongadovan road section, has also attracted travelers. Previously, it took nearly an hour to cross the river, but now it takes just three minutes. This bridge has greatly facilitated the lives of thousands of residents in Purkot, Ghosakhani, Sama, Bisamar, and other villages in Dhorpatan Municipality-3.
Baglung’s growing network of suspension bridges is not only improving local connectivity but is also becoming a key driver of tourism, bringing economic benefits and raising the district’s profile as a must-visit destination in Nepal.
