Stakeholders in Nepal on Saturday announced the commencement of ‘Nepal Visit Year 2025’ aligning it with the upcoming ‘Chinese New Year 2025’. The initiative targets Chinese tourists traveling during their New Year holiday. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Year of the Snake this time, falls on January 29.
The programme was jointly announced by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Municipality, and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) during a grand event held at Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Minister for Energy Dipak Khadka and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song inaugurated the event, highlighting its significance in revitalizing Nepal's tourism sector and fostering bilateral ties with China, according to the start-run national news agency RSS.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Khadka emphasized Nepal's potential as a premier international tourist destination. He stressed that ‘Nepal Visit Year 2025’ presents an opportunity to deepen Nepal's economic, social, and political ties with China. He also pointed out the prospects of expanding collaboration in tourism, energy, and agriculture between the two nations.
According to RSS, Chinese Ambassador Chen Song echoed these sentiments, noting that the initiative would further strengthen Nepal-China relations. He assured that the campaign would encourage more Chinese citizens to visit Nepal, boosting the local tourism sector.
Bhaktapur Municipality Mayor Sunil Prajapati called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to make the initiative a success, while NTB Chief Executive Officer Dipak Raj Joshi urged collective support to organize the events in a grand manner, RSS added.
The announcement follows China’s reinstatement of Nepal as a travel destination for its citizens in March 2023, which marked a significant step toward reviving Nepal’s tourism industry post-pandemic. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, Nepal welcomed 169,543 Chinese tourists—the highest among international visitors. However, the pandemic caused a sharp decline, with numbers gradually recovering in 2023 and reaching 92,848 Chinese tourists by November 2024.
The visit year also coincides with the 70th anniversary of Nepal-China diplomatic relations, adding a cultural and historical dimension to the initiative. To attract Chinese tourists, Nepal has been organising a series of promotional activities, including the ‘China Festival,’ ‘Happy Spring Festival,’ Chinese New Year celebrations, and the Pokhara International Mountain Cross Country Competition. Events like the China-Nepal Friendship Dragon Boat Race Festival and the Lumbini International Peace Festival aim to celebrate the shared heritage of the two countries.
Further promotional campaigns in China will target not only major cities but also diverse markets to broaden outreach. The official launch of the campaign in Bhaktapur underscores the strategic use of Nepal’s rich cultural heritage to captivate international visitors.
The event also featured cultural dances and songs that showcased the unique lifestyles of Nepal and China, symbolizing the deep cultural connection between the two nations.
