| The east-west highway does not run through
Nepalgunj but passes west of the city. It is yet another uninteresting
town but well developed and served by a daily flight from Kathmandu.
This is a major link to far-western Nepal and also to Nepal's
north-west. There is however no attractions to draw tourists
except as a transit point. The Royal Bardia National Park is
only a 2 ½ hour drive away by bus. Many tourists arrive
from India as well as from far western Nepal.
There is an interesting mix of ethnic groups in this bustling
city. There are Tharus, Magars, Gurungs, Thakuris, Newars,
Chetris, Thakuris, Tibetans and quite a collection of people
of Indian origin like the Muslim community, Sikhs and Bajis.
The Muslims arrived in the 1800s during the Sepoy mutiny (Indian
war of independence) and the Sikhs about 300 years ago. Nepalgunj
is 531km away from Kathmandu by road. There is a daily bus
service along with a daily flight leaving from the capital.
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