Timbung / Olangchung Gola
An ancient Tibetan trading village at the top of the world
Olangchung Gola, known locally as Walung or Holung, is a remote village near the Tibetan border in northern Taplejung, and was historically one of the most important trans-Himalayan salt trading posts in eastern Nepal. At over 3,000 metres it keeps a strongly Tibetan character in its architecture and its gompas, and its Walung families, descended from Tibetan traders and Nyingma Buddhist by practice, ran the salt for grain exchange over Tipta La, the pass about 20km north of the village at a little over 5,100m. It served as the trade hub for Lungthung, Yangma and Khangbachey as well as for itself.
The village lies inside the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, so Nepal requires a restricted area permit and a registered guide, arranged in Kathmandu before departure rather than on arrival. There is no road and no airstrip: reaching Olangchung Gola means several days on foot from Taplejung through Lelep, on the same trail system that serves Kanchenjunga Base Camp.
Highlights
Ancient trans-Himalayan salt trade route
Walung community and its gompa
Tibetan border culture and architecture
Remote and rarely visited frontier village
Gateway to the Tipta La trade pass into Tibet
Trips in Nepal
Practical Info
Address
Olangchung Gola, Northern Taplejung District
Opening Hours
Best Apr to May & Sep to Oct; restricted area
In This Destination
Taplejung
Home of Kanchenjunga, where the dawn first wakes
Travel here with HSJ