The World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara, also known as Shanti Stupa, stands as a beacon of serenity on the top of Anadu Hill. Constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan-Myohoji order, it is one of over 80 peace pagodas worldwide, designed to inspire peace for all!
Overlooking the Phewa Lake and with a backdrop of the majestic Annapurna range, the pagoda offers a panoramic view that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Pokhara’s natural and spiritual beauty.
The history of the World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara dates back to the 1970s when Morioka Sonin, a monk, along with local supporters, initiated the construction to promote world peace. The structure was completed in 1992, despite numerous challenges including local opposition that delayed its construction.
The pagoda is a stark white dome with a golden pinnacle on top, surrounded by four statues of Buddha that represent important events related to Buddha (birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and death) from different countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and of course, Nepal.
How to Get to the World Peace Pagoda
The most scenic route to the World Peace Pagoda begins with a boat ride across Phewa Lake. You can hire a boat from the lakeside area in Pokhara for around 800 NPR (6 USD), which will take you to the starting point of the hike on the southern shore of the lake. You can also make a brief stop over at Tal Barahi temple at the center of the lake before continuing on to the other side. (More on that below)
For those who prefer not to take the boat, there is also a road that leads closer to the pagoda from the city. You can take a taxi or drive up to the parking area near the base of the stupa. However, we were quoted really expensive prices close to 50 USD so your mileage may vary here. From there, a shorter, although steep, walk will take you to the top. This route is less scenic than the boat and hike combination but is a good alternative for those short on time or looking for a less strenuous option.
Nearby Areas of Interest
Tal Barahi Temple
Tal Barahi Temple is a significant religious site located on a small island in the middle of Phewa Lake. Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Barahi, this two-tiered pagoda-style temple is an important place of worship and attracts devotees from across the region. Barahi is a boar-headed deity associated with the forests and is believed to protect the universe from evil. She is the female equivalent of Varaha, an avatar of Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism.
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
I highly encourage going down the other side from the World Peace Pagoda towards Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. The hike gets extended by another hour or so but the rewards are well worth it. Not just the views of the Himalayas but this extensive cave system is revered for its religious significance and striking natural formations.
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is the longest cave in Nepal, featuring a large complex that includes a naturally formed shrine (shivling) dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Gupteshwor Mahadev. The cave was discovered in the 16th century and has since been a pilgrimage site.
Devi's Falls
Located inside the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, Devi’s Falls marks the point where the water from Phewa Lake vanishes underground after cascading down a rocky chute. The falls were named after a tragic incident involving a Swiss tourist named Mrs. Davi, who supposedly fell into the waterfall and drowned in 1961. Though it is sometime’s called Devi’s Falls as well, Devi meaning Goddess in Sanskrit. The real history is shrouded in antiquity.
Tashi Ling Tibetan Village
Right beside the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave entrance lies the charming Tashi Ling Tibetan Village, one of the several Tibetan refugee settlements established in Nepal in the 1960s. This village not only offers a peaceful retreat from the more tourist-heavy areas but also provides a unique insight into the lives and culture of the Tibetan community in exile.
A visit to Tashi Ling Tibetan Village not only supports the local community through the purchase of handicrafts but also offers an educational experience where you can really learn about the history, struggles, and resilience of the Tibetan people in Nepal. It’s a place that enriches any visit to Pokhara with its cultural depth and the warm hospitality of the Tibetans.
Where to Stay in Pokhara
Pokhara is one of the most charming places to stay while you’re in Nepal. The air is fresh and clean, the surroundings lush and beautiful, and the people are very kind and helpful!
Staying by the Lakeside area is recommended as that’s where all the action is from outdoor shops, souvenirs, spas, and of course, Phewa Lake.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Pokhara:
Best Hotels in Pokhara:
- Hotel Middle Path & Spa – offers clean, comfortable accommodations with select rooms boasting panoramic views of Pokhara’s mountains. Each air-conditioned room features a seating area, desk, and TV with satellite channels, along with private bathrooms equipped with hot/cold showers. While all rooms are accessible only by stairs, the hotel provides a 24-hour front desk service, luggage storage, room service, and a tour desk ready to assist with travel plans and free information.
- Pokhara Alpine and Springs – offers an array of amenities including a terrace, free private parking, a bar, and complimentary WiFi throughout the property. Accommodations at the hotel feature air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and balconies with garden views. The on-site restaurant also caters to vegetarian, dairy-free, and halal dietary preferences.
- Bar Peepal Resort – enjoy amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, free private parking, and a beautifully landscaped garden. The resort features comprehensive facilities such as a restaurant, a shared kitchen, a free shuttle service, and free WiFi throughout the premises. There’s also a shared lounge, room service, and currency exchange available. Each room at the resort is well-equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, and a terrace that provides a city view.
Best Hostels in Pokhara:
- Kiwi Backpackers Hostel – this is where we stayed and it’s a very cozy and well furnished hostel. We had private twin rooms that came with an on-suite bathroom. Working hot showers and quiet nights as they have a noise curfew, thank goodness! Comes with free breakfast which was usually french toast and fruits, but you won’t hear me complaining. They also have meditation and yoga classes for those who are interested.
- Pokhara Backpackers Hostel – this lively hostel, adorned with mountain murals and stocked with board games, offers a social vibe, cozy dorms, and private rooms. You can enjoy a free rooftop continental breakfast with views of the Annapurna Range and Machapuchare. Explore secret trails, quaint villages, hidden waterfalls, and traveler-run cafes.
- Forest Lake Backpackers Hostel – offers incredible views of Phewa Lake, making it the perfect base to relax and explore the city. Enjoy premium Wi-Fi, a rooftop hangout with breathtaking lake and mountain views, and free luggage storage while you trek. Comes with clean and comfy dorms that feature private curtains, individual reading lights, and mini fans.
What to Know About the World Peace Pagoda Hike
Difficulty
The hike to the World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara offers a moderate level of difficulty, making it accessible to a wide range of fitness levels, yet still providing a satisfying challenge for more experienced hikers.
The World Peace Pagoda stands atop Anadu Hill, which reaches an elevation of approximately 1,200 m (3,937 ft) above sea level. The starting point for most hikers, typically near the southern shore of Phewa Lake after a boat ride, is at a much lower elevation, creating a total elevation gain of around 342 m (about 1,122 ft) from the lakeshore to the pagoda.
The trail itself is well-maintained but does include a mix of steady inclines and a few steeper sections, especially as it approaches the top of Anadu Hill. The path is mostly natural earth and stone steps, which can become slippery if wet. The incline is consistent but not excessively steep, making it manageable for hikers with a basic level of physical fitness.
Distance
The typical hiking route from the Phewa Lake shoreline to the World Peace Pagoda spans approximately 2.7 km (1.7 mi) one way.
The total round trip distance is about 5 km (3 mi), including the ascent and descent. Though this can be extended further should you choose to go down the other side towards Gupteshwor Cave and the other nearby areas of interest such as Tashi Ling Village, which I highly recommend doing! You’ll even pass by some small Gurung settlements on the way!
Duration
Typically, the hike from the Phewa Lake shoreline to the World Peace Pagoda takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to ascend, depending on your fitness level and how frequently you stop to take in the scenery. Most hikers allocate approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour at the top to relax, meditate, or simply enjoy the panoramic views of Pokhara and the surrounding mountains.
The descent back to the lake generally takes about 1 hour, making the total hiking time around 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Again, for those interested in extending their hike, an alternative route down can lead towards the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. Taking this route will add approximately an additional hour to your trek, depending on how long you spend exploring the cave and the village. You might have to take a taxi back to Lakeside as this place brings you much further away from the city’s main hub. Around 500 NPR (3.80 USD) will do.
The Pokhara World Peace Pagoda Hike
- Distance: 2.7 km (1.7 mi)
- Time: 2.5 – 3.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Summit: 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
- Best Time to Go: Sunrise or Sunset are particularly great times, sunset especially. See the pic for reference.
- Crowds: The trail from the lakeside is not that crowded, the top however tends to gather people. Thought not too much.
- GPS & Map: World Peace Pagoda
Pokhara World Peace Pagoda Hiking Experience
We managed to get some right-side window seats on our flight to Pokhara but as in Nepalese fashion, the flight got delayed by around 2 hours or so. It’s mostly due to the weather conditions in the Himalayan mountain range.
The flight itself was breathtaking even though it was cloudy. The peaks poking up from the clouds still towered over our tiny plane which was amazing in itself. A short flight of around 30 minutes as opposed to a 7-hour ride through the winding roads helped us save a lot of time and headaches, though it was definitely more expensive.
Unfortunately, due to the delays, we couldn’t make it to our scheduled whitewater rafting so we had to adjust our plans. A taxi took us to the lakeside area of our hostel, Kiwi Backpackers. We got a nice room, much bigger than Erebus Home in Kathmandu, and better beds too!
We decided to grab some lunch first. Lisa found us a place and I got to try the Chicken Chowmein which was pretty good! We then walked over to the Phewa Lake area, stopping by some adventure shops to buy some missing gear before our trek in the Himalayas. I got some gloves in one shop, and Lisa got some sunglasses in the other. A friendly shop-owner welcomed us quite warmly, maybe too warm but he was a nice fella and the laughs we shared were genuinely great.
From Phewa Lake, we took a boat that stopped by Tal Barahi Temple, a temple dedicated to Barahi, with another smaller shrine for Ganesha, that’s located on a small island. From there, the boat continued to the other side where the trailhead started for the World Peace Pagoda. Thus, we started our hike which was a good way to acclimatize our bodies for the trek ahead.
It took around an hour or so but I found myself sweating when we got to the top. Turns out, the World Peace Pagoda was a Nichiren Buddhist spot established by a guy named Fuji. You can find the Buddhist mantra “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” right in front of the pagoda as well. It was so odd to find Japanese Buddhism all the way here in Nepal. The views were great and the area was tranquil. I sat on the grass after going around the Pagoda where I was later joined by Lisa.
The day wasn’t over yet though. We began our hike down going towards Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. This took another good 45 minutes or so.
The caves were actually better than I expected. I thought it would be small but it went deep. The main temple found inside was dedicated to Shiva and if we wanted to step foot inside the elevated platform, we had to take off our shoes. The cave grounds were really wet though so we opted not to. It took a while for us to reach the end where we were rewarded with a view of Davi’s Falls.
Now it was getting a bit dark but I wanted to visit one last place: Tashi Ling Village, a Tibetan refugee camp. I’ve never encountered Tibetans before yet I was always exposed to their culture whether it was in Mongolia or here in Nepal. We approached the Handicrafts Store where a kind old woman was. I asked her about why she ended up here and she explained how the Chinese were persecuting the Tibetans back then. How she lost her father at such a young age and escaped here to Nepal with her mother.
I felt my heart ache for what she had gone through. I was also surprised at their prices, for the same prayer wheel keychain that I got in Kathmandu, was twice as cheap and with much better quality.
In fact, I didn’t mind giving her a bit more! She gave me some incense as a present as well so it was such a great exchange.
We had some dinner at the Little Tibet Cafe, which is right beside the handicrafts store. I got the usual Oreo Milkshake but also tried the Tibetan Butter Tea. The food here had huge servings and they were so delicious as well. The music was on point, very hippy yet the interior had plenty of Tibetan vibes all around. They even called us a taxi back to our hostel afterward. I highly recommend checking this place out if you’re visiting the caves.
Plan Your Trip to Nepal | Best Travel Resources
Book Your Accommodations
- Booking.com – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
- Hostelworld – a backpacker’s best friend, Hostelworld has the largest collection of hostels and guesthouses for affordable prices.
Don’t Forget Insurance
- SafetyWing – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.
Find Cheap Flights
- Kiwi.com – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally.
Join Tours & Activities
- GetYourGuide – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.
Catch a Ride
- Rentalcars.com – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.
