Kathmandu. A three-day photo exhibition featuring stunning images of Cherdung Hill Station, captured by journalist and photojournalist , began on Thursday at Umoja Coffee in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. Organized by the , the exhibition aims to promote Cherdung, a scenic hill station located at an altitude of 3,690 meters above the Jiri Valley and Suri area of Dolakha district.
Titled “Photographs from the Cherdung Trek,” the exhibition features 31 photographs depicting the majestic Gaurishankar mountain range, the Jiri Valley, Jhyaku village, local lifestyles, cycling adventures, and the region’s rich culture and traditions. The images offer visitors a visual journey through one of Nepal’s lesser-known but spectacular tourism destinations.
The exhibition was inaugurated by , Honorary Expert Ambassador of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) and a renowned tourism expert. Sharing his experiences of visiting Cherdung, Sherpa expressed confidence that the photo exhibition would significantly contribute to promoting the destination among domestic and international travelers.
Speaking at the event , tourism journalist , and journalist extended their best wishes for the success of the exhibition. On the occasion, Lama pledged to continue promoting his birthplace and preserving its cultural and natural heritage through photography and journalism.
According to tourism campaigner , the organizing team will continue conducting programs aimed at promoting Cherdung and Nepal’s tourism sector as a whole. He noted that the “Jaaun Hai Cherdung” (Let’s Go to Cherdung) campaign, launched in 2024 with the participation of writers, journalists, cyclists, documentary makers, and tourism professionals, has already generated positive attention toward the destination.
Cherdung: Where Nature Meets Spirituality
Located across wards 2, 3, 4, and 5 of and wards 4 and 5 of , Cherdung is widely regarded as a meeting point of natural beauty and spirituality. The hill station offers breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset, along with panoramic vistas of some of Nepal’s most iconic Himalayan peaks, including , Numbur, Ramdung, Melungtse, Lakpa Dorje, Tashi Lapcha, Ganesh Himal, and Gorkha Himal.
Cherdung is also an important spiritual destination for both Hindu and Buddhist communities. A temple dedicated to Cherdungeshwor Mahadev stands atop the hill, while nearby rock formations bear footprints believed by Buddhists to belong to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). Local legends, pilgrimage traditions, and annual festivals continue to attract devotees and visitors throughout the year.
The destination is known for its seasonal beauty, with colorful wildflowers blooming during the monsoon, vibrant rhododendrons in spring, and crystal-clear mountain views in winter. While accommodation and dining facilities are yet to be developed, the area offers abundant camping opportunities and unique experiences such as observing traditional yak-herding lifestyles during the monsoon months.
First Solo Exhibition of a Veteran Photojournalist
Born in Jhyaku village of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality, Dolakha, Jeevan Lama has been actively involved in professional journalism since Nepal’s People’s Movement of 2006. Widely recognized for his tourism-focused reporting and photography, he has published numerous photo features in local and national media and participated in several group exhibitions over the years. This exhibition marks his first solo photo exhibition.
Lama has previously been honored with the Lifetime Photo Journalism Chhorolpa Achievement Award 2082 and is the author and editor of several publications, including Dolakha and the Earthquake (2016), Gaurishankar: Unity in Diversity (2018), and Colors of Surel (2025). Organizers and tourism experts believe the exhibition will serve as a significant milestone in promoting Cherdung as an emerging tourism destination in Nepal.
