Nepal’s mountainous landscape offers much to love. Gleaming snow-capped peaks set against clear blue skies are a common sight. A bit closer to the ground, a colorful culture provides heavenly hues. Not everyone will get the chance to make the treacherous treks to the top of Mounts Everest or Annapurna or to visit the birthplace of Buddha, but you can still get a look at some of those amazing sites through these photos from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.
Buddhist mantras are often carved into prayer wheels that are meant to be rotated clockwise as visitors circle the temple in reverence.
Sarah Delia, Kathmandu, 2019
Lumbini, a Buddhist pilgrimage site, is considered the birthplace of Buddha and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chun-Ju Wu, Rupandehi, 2016
Although they’re closer to the bright sun than most things on Earth are, these mountain peaks remain covered in snow. Sujoy Das, Koshi Province, 2011
It’s a scene that could be found almost anywhere in the world. Students walk the streets of Bhaktapur as merchants sell their goods. Roberto Pazzi, Bhaktapur, 2018
At Chitwan National Park, elephant handlers mount the pachyderms and direct them home after bath time at the river. Sarah Delia, Chitwan, 2019
A climber takes a moment to appreciate the view of the Himalayas before heading on to Mount Everest’s base camp. Ronil Patel, Koshi Province, 2018
Standing along the Mount Everest base camp trail, a rooster seemingly dares passers-by to buy those eggs in the display behind him. Micah Lynn, Phakding, 2019
At the Pashupatinath Hindu temple, a crowd of Nepalese observers celebrate Bala Chaturdashi, an occasion to remember their deceased family members. Roberto Pazzi, Kathmandu, 2018
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