Chitlang, a suburb is a border juncture from the ancient period for getting access to Kathmandu city from flat terai land when there were no roadways connections. It is one of the nearest and shortest hiking routes from Kathmandu Valley and offers a glorious view of Mt. Lakpa Dorje, Jugal, and various mountain ranges as a picture-perfect background for your photograph. It often takes you to different times of yore as you enter there; you start getting rural vibes, some destructed remnants of beautiful old archival traditional houses amid massive earthquakes, monuments, temples, stone spout, arts, and structure resides you in nostalgia. A place that carries historical significance has always been the prior choice for a short hike, especially for those who do not have sufficient time because Chitlang for a day has a lot to offer you. Though it’s a nearby city area yet resources and settlements are still untouched and are situated on the southwestern side of Kathmandu likewise some parts of the Chitlang Valley also lie in Makawanpur district. Continuous flowing streams along the roadside maintaining natural irrigation facilities and fertile land of that place added prolific vegetation and cultivation of fresh organic vegetables which precisely reminds us of being an agrarian country.
The journey is initiated by walking Stone steps from Thankot goddam. Subsequently, after covering certain paths there are two distinctive ways, preference is all yours, either you may choose a bumpy constructed motor road, or for a shortcut you may skip the roadside and start walking steep uphill jungle trails. It would take around 2-3 hrs considering the pace of hikers to reach Chandragiri Danda or take a Cable car to Chandragiri Bhaleswor Temple.
During journey, hikers can enjoy mesmerizing views of the Himalayaslike Mt.Dorje, Jugal and the overall view of Kathmandu valley from Bhaleshwar Chandragiri temple.
Hikers must walk through the way of forest trails and dusty soil and mud which is quite adventurous, Rope way of cable car also navigates your way.
Chitlang which was once the only thoroughfare to Kathmandu valley from Terai itself is an ancient valley that carries a lot of historical importance, one can get informative insights into architectural structures (Temple, monuments, Pati pauwa, water spout, museum), ancient technology like water turbines and sight of old Newari settlements. Overnight at a local hotel and next day drive out to Kathmandu with private vehicle.
