Stakeholders have unveiled month-long celebrations to strengthen ties with China and boost tourism, coinciding with Chinese New Year festivities.  

On Saturday, January 18, the official launch of ‘Visit Nepal Year 2025’ took place during a grand event at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The program, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Municipality, and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), seeks to attract Chinese tourists during their holiday season.  

This initiative follows China’s “Visit Nepal Year in China” campaign, which aims to encourage more Chinese nationals to visit Nepal in 2025.  

This year’s Chinese New Year, celebrating the Year of the Snake, falls on January 29.  

Saturday’s event featured cultural dances and songs showcasing Nepali and Chinese traditions, culminating in a rally from Bhaktapur Durbar Square to Taumadhi.  

On Sunday, a vibrant cultural parade with performances by Nepali and Chinese artists paraded through Thamel, Kathmandu’s bustling tourist hub.  

As part of the festivities, Thamel’s streets will be illuminated from January 22 to February 20, and a Lantern Festival will be held at Ratnapark from January 26 to February 24.  

The celebrations also commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China.  

The events are jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal Tourism Board, National Sports Council, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur Municipality, Nepal Overseas Chinese Association, and other organizations.
Additional programs have been planned in Pokhara to extend the festivities across Nepal.  

Here are some photos from the recent events in Bhaktapur and Thamel, captured by our photojournalist Sunil Sharma.