Nepali ambassador will lead walk into birthplace of Sakyamuni

By Li Zhixin

Nepali ambassador Tanka Prasad Karki announced at a news conference Monday that he will participate in a walk to Lumbini, the birthplace of Sakyamuni, from Lhasa, Tibet, during the first International Walking Around the Himalayas Day in October.

To celebrate the 55th anniversary of China-Nepal diplomatic relations, Nepal’s embassy, the Nepali Tourism Administration, China Volkssport Association (CVA) and Tibet’s Tourism Bureau will jointly hold the walk from September 26 to October 8.

The walk will start at Lhasa’s Potala Palace near Yangdork Lake and the north face of Mt. Qomolangma. The team plans to reach Zhangmu Port on the China-Nepal border on October 3. The ambassador will join the team at Katmandu and lead the participants through Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar and Tyangboche before arriving at Lumbini on October 8. The team will return to CHina three days later.

During the trip, participants will get to appreciate and experience the ethnic customs of Chinese Tibetans and Nepalese Sherpas. “This will be the first walking diplomacy between the two countries. I believe the event will strengthen the countries’ rapport and convey a message of peace to the world,” Karki said.

Those who are interested in the event can enroll at chinawalking.net.cn or through VCA at 8489 6319.