Pokhara International Airport achieved a significant milestone on Chaitra 5 with the first commercial charter flight to Chengdu, China’s Sichuan province. The historic flight was followed by a series of promotional events in various Chinese cities, aiming to strengthen Nepal’s tourism ties with China.
Despite the longstanding demand from Pokhara’s residents and joint efforts from both the government and private sectors, regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport had not materialized even two years after its inauguration. However, the recent charter flight, carrying a 126-member delegation to Chengdu, symbolized a breakthrough, with the team actively participating in promotional programs before returning on Tuesday.
The initiative, led by the Pokhara Tourism Council in collaboration with Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Sichuan Airlines, and the Chinese Association in Nepal, marked a crucial step in strengthening Nepal-China tourism relations. According to Pokhara Tourism Council President Taranath Pahari, business-to-business (B2B) meetings and sales missions conducted in Chengdu and Chongqing under NTB’s leadership generated significant optimism for future tourism prospects.
Sichuan Airlines introduced the charter service with the goal of establishing regular flights between Pokhara and Chengdu. Discussions held with Chinese government officials and tourism stakeholders during the visit raised hopes for continued international flight operations from Pokhara. Pahari noted that the Chinese delegation showed keen interest in maintaining these flights, with both sides emphasizing the importance of expanding tourism partnerships.
Sichuan province alone has a population of over 90 million, with Chengdu and Chongqing being major hubs for outbound travelers. NTB Gandaki Province Office Chief, Maniraj Lamichhane, highlighted that the promotional programs in these cities were instrumental in spreading awareness about Pokhara as a prime travel destination. He emphasized that this initiative has positioned Pokhara as a city with direct connectivity to China, beyond just Kathmandu, reinforcing Nepal’s expanding aviation network.
Lamichhane further stated that the direct Chengdu-Pokhara flight has placed Pokhara and other international airports, including Bhairahawa, on the global aviation map. The promotional programs in Chengdu and Chongqing gained extensive media coverage in China, amplifying Nepal’s tourism visibility.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal welcomed 169,543 Chinese tourists in 2019. However, this number declined drastically to 19,257 in 2020, followed by further reductions in 2021 (6,198) and 2022 (9,599). With China lifting its travel restrictions in March 2023, the number of Chinese visitors to Nepal rebounded to 60,878 that year, reaching 101,879 in 2024 so far.
Chinese tourism experts anticipate a surge in visitors during the summer months of June and July when schools in China are closed. Families often choose short-haul destinations like Hong Kong or Thailand, and with its proximity and natural allure, Pokhara has the potential to become a preferred destination for Chinese tourists. Sichuan Airlines, the Chinese Embassy, and China Travel International Chengdu have been working toward bringing approximately 1,250 Chinese tourists to Pokhara via direct flights in the next three months.
During the visit, Pokhara’s delegation, led by Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, held official meetings with the Mayor of Luzhou City, Yu Qingxi. The discussions centered on strengthening ties through regular flights and expanding cooperation in education, healthcare, tourism, and sports. The Chinese officials also expressed interest in collaborating on traditional medicine initiatives.
The Pokhara delegation included Chief Administrative Officer of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Shivraj Chaulagain; Ward 21 Chairman, Deepak Subedi; NTB Gandaki Province Chief, Maniraj Lamichhane; Pokhara Tourism Council President, Taranath Pahari; and Pokhara Visit Year 2025 Executive Committee Coordinator, Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai. The Luzhou representatives included the President of Southwest Medical University, He Tao, and Vice Mayor, Luo Suping.
Pokhara Visit Year 2025 Executive Committee Coordinator, Bhattarai, emphasized that Pokhara’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure tourism appeal make it a top choice for Chinese travelers. With increasing investments in Chinese tourist-centric infrastructure, Pokhara is poised to benefit significantly from direct air connectivity and sustained promotional efforts in China.
The recent developments signal a promising future for Pokhara’s tourism industry, reinforcing Nepal’s position as a key destination for Chinese travelers while paving the way for stronger economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
