The array of wonders in Nepal is no lacking; if only you could take your eyes off the snow-capped mountains and part yourself from the crowd of the capital. With the very unique and distinctive geography, there are beautiful settlements rich with natural and cultural intactness nestled from Himalayan foothills to the verdant hills

One of such enticing settlement that has won the hearts of every visitors is Tansen. Tansen Nepal is rather a charming town situated atop a crest of Lesser Himalayas with much history draped in natural scenery.

From religious shirne to historically intriguing monuments, the exploration goes for days in Tansen, Nepal.  If you are looking for a quiet time to spend, with no strenuous journey or whatsoever, then Tansen, Nepal cannot be more ideal. Well, let us have a sneak peek on what's there to visit and more important informations.

About Tansen, Nepal

Tansen is a captivating hill town at an elevation of 1,350 meters with a very serene and tranquil atmosphere. Taking you towards the hills of western Nepal, Tansen lies on the highway between Butwal and Pokhara on the crest of Mahabharat overlooking the valley of Kali Gandaki River.

One can observe the rich Newari culture, tradition, and architecture in Tansen; however, it is originally the home to Magar people, and its very name means “northern settlement” in Magar language. Palpa is one of the twelve Magar regions of West Nepal and Tansen bolsters diverse culture and religion of Magar ethnicity of Nepal.

The town so far has retained its traditional charm by adhering the lifestyle, culture and practices of centuries-old. Paying a visit to Tansen can give a misleading idea of stepping back in time, where everything can give you a surprise.

As you explore the streets of Tansen, you will observe the life and its norms and values are quite different from the cities. The impressive historical monuments and incredible natural spot to makes Tansen, Nepal more appealing amongst the visitors of Nepal.

Turing the page of history, Tansen used to be the Magar Kingdom of Palpa, which was one of the most powerful regional principalities before Shah Dynasty came in power. During the 16^th century, under the leadership of Mukunda Sen, Tansen even came close to conquering Kathmandu. So, you can guess the level of power Tansen had during those days. 

However, in the 18^th century, Tansen lost its power and became bazaar on the important trade route between India and Tibet via the Kaligandaki River and Mustang. With its title as the administrative center of Kingdom of Nepal, Tansen was targeted several times by Maoist during the Nepalese Civil War.

Today, Tansen is a tourism center of Palpa district with Newars, originally from Kathmandu Valley as the major inhabitants, bustling with an array of religious and tourism sites against the fascinating beauty of nature.

Places to visit in Tansen

Rani Mahal

Translated as “Queen’s Palace” and referred as Taj Mahal of Nepal, Rani Mahal or Ranighat Mahal, is one of the best places to visit in Tansen, Nepal. It is a baroque-styled palace built by Khadga Shamsher Rana in 1896 in the memory of his beloved youngest wife, Tej Kumari Devi.

Located in the picturesque setting of verdant forest on the side of the east bank of Kalu Gandaki River at the confluence of Ridi River, Rani Mahal provides a refreshingly stunning view. Of several hikes you can embark from Tansen, Rani Mahal is a best one day hike you can walk towards.

Ridi River alongside the Rani Mahal is the sacred site for Hindu pilgrims, mostly visited during January on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti.

Tansen Durbar

Originally built in 1927 by Pratap Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, the striking red Tansen Durbar is one of the historical monument of Nepal that served as the seat of several Rana governors.

The grand Tansen Durbar depicts the architecture and style of Nepal at the beginning of the 20^th century in a most impressive way. It is a four-storied square palace with 63 rooms.

Sitalpati Square

Sitalpati Square lies near Ason Tole of Tansen and is the most popular square in Tansen. It is a small, white octagonal pavilion where in early days governers used it for public functions. Governer Khadga Shamsher built the square in 1892, which today is used as a meeting point for locals.

On one side of Sitalpati square, there is Mul (Baggi) Dhoka, a finely decorated doorway and a former gate for horse-drawn carriage that leads you to the Tansen Durbar.

Srinagar Hill

Srinagar Hill is rewarding short walk towards the north of Tansen Bazaar at 1,600 meters elevation. It is a gradual uphill that offers a great panorama and beautiful scenery, a literal treat for photographers.

You can get immersed in the beauty of the Himalayas, which includes Dhaulagiri, Manalsu, Annapurna, Nilgiri, Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Machhapuchre. The view of Madi Valley with clouds hanging above is equally exquisite to witness from Srinagar Hill.

Tansen, Nepal Weather, and Temperature

Tansen, Nepal witnesses one of the best weather condition in Nepal. Its location in the Hilly region has a very moderate climate, making it perfect for visiting during any time of the year. It is not to hot in summer to scorch you and neither too cold in winter to freeze your heart.

The weather in Tansen is warm and temperate, where the average annual temperature is 18-degree celsius. The average rainfall in a year is 1912 mm, where winter gets much less rainfall than in summer. Highest precipitation is during July, while the lowest is in November. Likewise, the highest temperature is in June at around 23.6-degree celsius and lowest in January with an average 10.3-degree celsius. The average temperature in Tansen Nepal during the year varies by 13.3-degree Celsius.

Getting towards Tansen, Nepal

As Tansen is located right on the highway between Pokhara and Lumbini and Indian border, you can access it easily, making it an excellent destination for a day or two of relaxation. So, let's see the routes and ways you can take to embark to Tansen, Nepal.

Via Flight

You can make your way towards Tansen, Nepal via roads as there are no direct flights available. However, there is a flight to Bhariahawa near Lumbini, from where you can reach Tansen via Butwal. It is about three hours ride covering a distance of 64 km.

Or, else, take a flight to Pokhara and ride towards Tansen, which takes 5 hours drive.

Via Road

From Kathmandu: The total distance from Kathmandu to Tansen is 306 km that takes 7-8 hours of drive to reach. You can easily find vehicles running from Gongabu Bus Park and Sundhara at a different time schedule.

From Pokhara: From Pokhara, the distance to Tansen is 125 km and takes 6-8 hours to ride through a local bus. You can take a tourist bus to reach Sunauli (5 hours) and getting off at Bartung junction you can take a jeep for remaining 4 km to Tansen.

From Chitwan: If you are in Chitwan, then there are buses and microbuses you can catch from Narayanghat coming from Kathmandu to Tansen. Another option is to take a bus to Butwal and from there take a bus to Tansen.