Tansen

Tansen was the capital of the Sen kingdom of Palpa, one of the most powerful hill states before unification. Its steep lanes are lined with tile-roofed Newar houses, and the Amar Narayan temple, Bhagwati temple and the gate of Baggi Dhoka recall its past; the Tansen Durbar palace was destroyed in 2006 and has been rebuilt as a museum.

Palpa is famous for dhaka cloth and for metal karuwa water jugs. Walk up Srinagar hill in the pine forest for a view from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu, and down to Rani Mahal on the Kali Gandaki. Morning mist often fills the Madi valley below the town.

What to see and do

Walk from the Sitalpati square past the Amar Narayan temple, Bhagwati temple and the Tansen Durbar museum, and browse shops selling dhaka cloth and karuwa. Climb Srinagar Danda through pine forest to the view tower at dawn. Day trips lead to Rani Mahal, Ridi Bazaar and the Magar village of Bhairabsthan with its large trident.

Good to know

Tansen's steep lanes are best explored on foot. Nights are cool even in summer. The Siddhartha Highway links it to Butwal (about 1.5 hours) and Pokhara (5–6 hours).