Temple, monastery or heritage site
Kumakh Malika
A hilltop shrine of the goddess Malika in Salyan, a pilgrimage and viewpoint above the surrounding hills.
Karnali Provinceसल्यान
Salyan District
Southern Karnali hill district of ginger fields and orange orchards, with Kupinde Lake as its best-known natural attraction.
- Province
- Karnali
- Headquarters
- Salyan
- Area
- about 1,943 km²
- Places on Firfirey
- 3
About Salyan
Salyan lies in the southern middle hills of Karnali Province, with Rukum West to the north, Jajarkot and Surkhet to the west, and Dang and Rolpa of Lumbini Province to the south and east. The Bheri River runs along its western side, and the Sharada Khola drains the centre of the district. The landscape is a mix of terraced ridges, river valleys and forest, warm in the low valleys and cooler on the hilltops.
The population is mostly Hindu, with Chhetri, Brahmin, Thakuri, Magar and Dalit communities. Salyan is known in Nepal for its ginger, along with oranges and other hill produce, and farming remains the main livelihood. Few tourists visit, but those who do come for Kupinde Lake, a quiet lake in the hills, and for rural walks and local temples.
Places in Salyan
Lake
Kupinde Lake
Salyan's best-known lake, a quiet sheet of water in the hills associated with local legend and worship.
Town or village
Salyan Khalanga
The hill headquarters of Salyan district, a quiet market town and base for Kupinde Lake and Kumakh.
Getting there
Salyan is reached by road from Dang, usually a drive of several hours into the hills, and roads also link it with Surkhet and Rukum West. The nearest regular airports are at Nepalgunj and Surkhet, with Dang also served by road from the plains.
Best time to visit
Autumn and spring are the best times to visit, as the monsoon brings heavy rain and landslides on hill roads, while winters are dry and pleasant by day with cool nights.
Editorial draft: the district overview is being checked. Headquarters and Nepali names: nepal-places dataset (MIT). Area and map position computed from the district boundaries of the Government of Nepal, Survey Department, via OCHA.