China proposes review of Upper Mustang entry fee

KATHMANDU, June 19: China has proposed reviewing the $500 entry fee required for foreign nationals to visit Upper Mustang. Chinese government officials made the proposal to the Government of Nepal, claiming the entry fee imposed by the Department of Immigration is expensive.

Since Upper Mustang is a semi-restricted area, foreigners are required to pay $500 to get an entry permit for 10 days. Chinese officials have proposed to review this provision, according to Nepali officials.

During an interaction program held in Lomanthang and Jomsom by the Nepali Consulate General in Lhasa about Nepal-China trade facilitation and management, the Chinese side said that even though there is an immigration office at the Korala border, high entry fees have made it difficult to operate the border.

They said Upper Mustang is a restricted area, and any foreign national has to pay a minimum of $500 to enter the area. Even those who want to enter from the Chinese side cannot pay the fee and enter because Nepal has no immigration service there. So, they requested to build integrated infrastructure at the border and immediately begin immigration, customs, and quarantine services to make it easier for foreigners to enter Upper Mustang.

Nepali representatives also agreed with the Chinese proposal and said reducing the fee would attract more foreign tourists. “The Chinese side proposed to review the $500 entry fee, claiming it is expensive. Nepali representatives also accepted that the fee has discouraged tourists, and we are discussing this issue internally,” said Consul General of Nepal in Lhasa, Laxmi Prasad Niraula.

According to him, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality Chair Raju Bista, Lomanthang Chair Tashi Nurbu, the vice-chair of Lomanthang, ward chairs from both rural municipalities, and traders from Korala border also agreed with the Chinese proposal to review the entry fee during the interaction in Lomanthang.

Similarly, the interaction in Jomsom was attended by Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Bhusal, chairs of four rural municipalities of Mustang, social workers, and security chiefs.

In both discussions, participants said China has already built excellent infrastructure on its side, with immigration and customs offices in operation. But on the Nepal side, the provincial government has only built a four-room prefab building, lacking water, electricity, and other basic infrastructure. There are not enough staff, and although the immigration office was inaugurated, it has not started service. Because of this, trade has not been organized properly.

Consul General Niraula said the Nepali Consulate General in Lhasa will make maximum efforts to coordinate with both the Chinese and Nepali sides to solve the issues raised in the discussions. Niraula also held a separate meeting and interaction with customs, immigration, local government, and port management officials in Drongpa of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. Both Nepal and China expressed commitment to work from their sides to manage the Korala border and make it operational.

Upper Mustang, a semi-restricted area, was opened to foreign tourists only in 1992. Foreign tourists visiting the region must pay a lump sum fee of $500 for 10 days. Previously, the fee was $700. It was reduced in 2009. If tourists want to stay longer than 10 days, they must pay an additional $50 per day as a fee. Once they pay the fee, tourists can visit the area with a liaison officer.

Upper Mustang is famous for its barren hills, Himalayan weather, culture and lifestyle, lakes, monasteries, Muktinath temple, and caves. Religious and tourist destinations in Mustang include Muktinath, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Lomanthang, Marpha, Thini, and Dhumba Lake. Tourists reach Mustang via road from Myagdi and by air from Pokhara. Some also enter Mustang from Manang by crossing Thorong-La Pass. Part of the world-famous Annapurna Circuit Trek, Mustang is popular among domestic and international tourists. Chinese tourists, however, want to enter via the Korala border. They have asked Nepal to review the entry fee for easier access.