Dhankuta. The historic Rana-era town of Kopche in Dhankuta, now popularly known as the ‘Orange City’, has declared itself ready to welcome visitors with a refreshed identity, improved infrastructure, and community-driven tourism initiatives. 
To convey this message, the Kopche Revitalisation Campaign has launched the Kopche Festival in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, ICIMOD, Digo Bikash, Community Homestay Network (CHN), Husadec, and Smart Pani. The revival of Kopche is being driven by the active participation of local residents, strong community commitment, and partnership with Dhankuta Municipality.
During the Sukul Dialogue held as part of the festival, local resident Rambahadur Shrestha recalled how the town had emptied after government offices were shifted elsewhere. “In May 2021, villagers came together and said, ‘We must act now’ that marked the beginning of the transformation,” he shared. According to him, the first Kopche Festival in 2021 uplifted community morale and sparked momentum for change. The municipality even awarded Upper Kopche that year for its efforts. Soon after, all houses in the area were painted in vibrant orange, symbolizing the town’s identity as a pocket zone for quality oranges.
Road improvements, creative local initiatives, and collective development efforts have since helped Kopche regain life. Local youth guide Nabin Rai said young people stepped forward to build tourism-friendly facilities and strengthen a welcoming culture playing a major role in the town’s revival.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward 5 member Shashi Thapa, who visited to observe the ‘Orange City’, remarked that the Kopche–Hadigaun experience-exchange held special significance. “Hadigaun is a Licchavi-era town where heritage is being preserved alongside modern development,” she said. “Kopche can also learn from the harmony that exists between community unity and local government there.” She added that Hadigaun’s myths, stories, and cultural heritage have boosted tourist appeal a model that could inspire Kopche.
Srijana Nepali, Senior Officer at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), stated that the Board is now prioritizing quality over quantity in tourism. “We are strengthening the foundations of sustainable tourism in partnership with UNDP,” she said. Highlighting Dhankuta as an emerging travel destination, she shared that Dhankuta was promoted as an ‘Immersive Destination’ at the World Travel Market in London.
Poonam Gupta, representing the Community Homestay Network (CHN), said that Dhankuta’s rising tourism activities have begun to showcase its untapped potential. “Earlier, tourists only passed through Dhankuta after visiting Dharan it wasn’t considered a destination,” she noted. “Now, we see tourism growth because of cultural richness, natural beauty, and community capacity-building. Sustainable tourism requires community leadership and local government partnership.”
Today, Kopche stands as a model of urban revival, driven by collective spirit, cultural identity restoration, and tourism-focused development. With strong local leadership, youth engagement, and institutional collaboration, Dhankuta’s ‘Orange City’ has sent a clear message: it is ready to welcome tourists with warmth, culture, and a renewed charm.
