Khumjung: Where scenery and culture meet

Solukhumbu is one of the most important tourist destinations of Nepal. It is well-known to the trekkers as well as for the people looking for an adventure. Different places in Solukhumbu have their own characteristics.

Though Solukhumbu is a well-known place to be, local people have complained that the Khumjung area, at 3790 meters, sees limited numbers of tourists. Tourists coming to Solukhumbu stay in Namche Bazaar and visit Khumjung as one can see world's highest peaks like Everest, Lhotse and Amadablam. Khumbila Mountain is located near it. Though tourists come and visit the places, locals say that they hardly spent the night there.

Local residents claim that Khumjung is cheaper than Namche Bazaar. However, lately the place has seen an increase in domestic tourists.

Reasons why you should visit Khumjung:

• Khumjung in Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality is considered a picturesque place,
• There are also a number of hotels to spend the night at,
• While visiting the place, one can also get a good internet facility as well,
• Maps published by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) says Khumjung is a must visit place in Solukhumbu along with Namche Bazar,
• There are various places worth visiting in Khumjung. There is an old monastery where information about the Yeti can be found. Similarly, a museum related to Sherpa culture has also been built.

Khumjung is full of history as there is a school called “Khumjung School” that was built in 1961 by Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber of Mount Everest. Similarly, Solukhumbu's oldest Khunde Hospital is also located here.

However, locals say that the state of Syangboche Airport in Khumjung is yet to be improved. Currently, only MI 17 helicopters are operating from there for cargo. Although a request was made to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation on behalf of the local village for regular flight operations from that airport, it is yet to be heard.

Khumjung Youth Club, established in 1993, aims to encourage locals to participate in development activities. The club has been activly cleaning the village and making the locals self-reliant. It has been organizing volleyball tournaments for 28 years and has been organizing the Lhosar Cup football tournament for 12 years. Dawa Chhiring Sherpa, president of the club, informed that the goal is to enter the Khumjung Youth Club to the national level in football.