Incredible natural beauty decorates Nepal in every nook and cranny. It is blessed with Terai, a never-ending flat expanse. Besides, Nepal also has rolling hills and fascinating mountains. After just one trip to Nepal, you will love the breathtaking landscapes. In addition, the local people are also kind and welcoming locals.
Traveling to the many tiny villages throughout Nepal is the best way to discover it. And Langtang village unquestionably tops the list of stunningly lovely settlements.
Langtang village is the third most popular trekking area in Nepal, behind Annapurna Region and Everest region. It is located in the shadow of Mt. Langtang Lirung. Langtang village is close to Kathmandu Valley. Also, it is a spectacular destination to learn about Tibetan and Nepali cultures. This Village shares a border with Tibet. And it is surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful natural scenery and arduous trekking tracks.
Nepal lies between the Indian and Eurasian plates. So, earthquakes frequently strike the country. And one such 7.8 Mw earthquake rocked Nepal to its very foundation. Not only did the quake killed 8,964 people, but it also left 21,952 others injured. It obliterated homes, structures, artifacts, and many lives and futures.
Barpak, Gorkha district, was the epicenter of the earthquake. The quake occurred on April 25, 2015. However, Langtang village, barely 86.3 km from Barpak, was the most severely affected. Because of its harsh geography and flimsy infrastructure, the earthquake’s impact was visible.
The quake affected the lives of the inhabitants. The catastrophe also had a significant impact on the Village’s tourism economy. Then, many severe landslides and avalanches occurred in Langtang. It completely engulfed the settlement in stone. The earthquake disrupted the paths as well as the surrounding natural beauty. Thereafter, the Langtang village was known for being the earthquake’s worst victim.
But times have changed. The 2015 earthquake is history after more than seven years. Langtang village is now on the road to recovery. It will soon be in comparable or better condition than before. Nepali Government and villagers have restored the majority of the trekking trail. They have also rebuilt tea houses and other cultural and traditional icons. Also, they have worked to make the Village as secure as possible before accommodating many adventure seekers’ needs.
There is a significant difference between Langtang village before and after the earthquake. The Langtang Village earthquake is now a thing of the past.
That sounds amazing. We can tell you how hard this country works and how wonderful this community is now that we have your attention. You want to travel to Nepal, for sure, don’t you? Then, let’s explore Langtang village in more detail to make it your next exhilarating stopover!
Lantang Treks:
- Langtang Ganja La Pass Trekking
- Gosainkunda Helambu Trek
- Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
- Tamang Heritage Trek 7 Days Itinerary
Langtang Village: Altitude, Weather, and Temperature
The breathtaking Langtang village is located in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, part of Bagmati Province. The Village is located inside the stunning Langtang National Park. Langtang village’s precise location is in the northern central Himalayan region. This picturesque area is located at 3,400 meters above sea level.
Given that the area is surrounded by mountains, including the massive Himalayas, one can be sure that the temperature can get chilly. If we categorize this area’s weather every month, January and February are the coldest. And it snows in the Village during these months as well. March, April, May, and June provide nice weather. They allow for luxurious trekking around Langtang village. At the same time, one can admire the majesty of mountains like Langtang II and Langtang Lirung during these months.
The monsoon season lasts from July through August. Although you can visit Langtang during this period, trekking can take time and effort. But September and October are the finest months to get around the Village. Finally, November and December may be chilly and unpredictable due to global warming.
The temperature in Langtang village can be low due to its undulating mountainous nature. Langtang might be an excellent destination to visit if you don’t like the heat and prefer a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. This Village’s temperature ranges from 1°C to 32°C, or 34°F to 90°F. Yet, due to climate change, the temperature might soar to 34°C (94°F) or drop to -2°C (27°F). In general, the settlement of Langtang has a hot summer and a damp, foggy winter with some snowfall.
Langtang Village: Inside The Great Langtang Valley
Often people need clarification on Langtang Village and Langtang Valley. However, there is little difference between them. You see, Langtang Village lies inside Langtang Valley. Langtang Valley is surrounded by hills on every side. At the same time, a village is an area inside the valley where local people live.
Langtang Valley also lies inside Langtang National Park. The park was established in the mid-1970s and covered 26 other Nepali villages besides Langtang Village. It consists of 14 different vegetation types and has 18 different ecosystem types inside it. Gosaikunda Lake, a very popular religious lake, is also inside Langtang National Park and has an altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level. Finally, the national park belongs to the Sacred Himalayan Landscape.
Finally, the difference between the Langtang Valley before and after the earthquake is astonishing since Langtang has progressed a lot.
Langtang Village: Culture and Economy
The Langtang village is a fusion of Nepali and Tibetan cultures, bordering the Tibet autonomous area of China to the north and Nepal in all other directions. Some even speculate that the locals of this Village migrated to Langtang more than 600 years ago. One can often witness ethnic groups such as Tamang, Gurung, and Sherpas living in this region. According to many reports, only around 668 people lived in Langtang village before the 2015 earthquake.
The locals here refer to themselves and one another as “Langtangpa.” Most people in Tibet profess Tibetan Buddhism, and the people of Langtang village also adhere to this practice. The Tibetan language Langtangpas speak is also quite similar to the Tibetan expressed in Kyirong, a place in southern Tibet. The people of the Langtang village are highly pious and worship the natural world. Their “yu-lha,” or native country god, is the peak of Langtang Lirung.
Finally, one of the numerous hidden valleys blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, the Beyul Dagam Namgo, is thought to be the Langtang Valley.
Regarding the Village of Langtang’s economic situation, agropastoralism is practiced here. However, tourism was one of the Langatangpas’ most important sources of revenue after the middle of the 1970s. Unexpectedly, the production of Swiss cheese, which Werner Schulthess pioneered in the 1950s, continues to be one of Langtang’s most famous exports.
Langtang Village: Route to Kyanjin Gompa
In the Langtang village, which is situated inside the Langtang valley, one can trek from Shyaphrubesi to Kyanjin Gumba and back. Numerous trekking routes connect valleys, such as the Helambu Valley inside the Langtang Valley and the trip to the Kyanjin Gompa.
When trekking in the Langtang village, visitors frequently stop in tea houses run by locals, where they can get simple food and shelter. Several of these tea houses also have solar panels for the trekkers’ hot water during the chilly winters. The Langtang valley contains several mountains, including the over 5000m-tall Kyanjin Ri and Tsergo Ri, which are reasonably simple to climb. In addition, one can climb more hazardous peaks like the Dorje Lhakpa and Langtang Lirung after getting some mountaineering experience.
If you are worried about the Langtang earthquake condition, then don’t be. Langtang Village looks even better, and the trails are ready to be used!
Langtang Village: 2015 Earthquake
The end of Langtang Village came on April 25, 2015. When Nepal suffered a 7.8 Mw earthquake. Although the earthquake’s epicenter was Barpak, Langtang village was affected the most since it has a vulnerable topography. The Langtang Village earthquake was a topic discussed all over the world.
The Langtangpas had just finished a Buddhist festival called “Ghawa” the day before the earthquake, which occurred on April 24, 2015. People from all over Langtang Village as well as the nearby villages, took part in the festival. In addition, they celebrated with immense enjoyment, which included activities like singing, dancing, drinking, and eating. So, the next day, the day of the earthquake, some people slept until late in the morning. However, some people were at their work. While some were enjoying the local beauty and finally somewhere on their destinations.
But, at 11:56 AM local time, a devastating earthquake struck Nepal and shook the Langtang village completely. Many houses accommodating people from yesteryears collapsed. Local people and tourists started running to save their lives. However, even after the earthquake ended, surprisingly, an avalanche occurred. The avalanche sent wind clouds over the skies. It also killed many people.
A sizable glacier and a frozen lake hanging high above Langtang village, located on the southern face of Langtang Lirung’s peak, serve as the Village’s source of drinking water. The lake flowed the pious water on the western side of the Village.
However, the same glacier became a curse when the avalanche and earthquake collapsed the whole Village and nearby area.
Many reports suggest that an entire section of a mountainside also fell off during the landslide. The landslide included large glaciers, boulders, and a frozen lake. When calculated, the amount of debris and ice was almost 40 million tonnes. The main reason for the utmost destruction was the funnel-like descent of the boulders and ice on the Village. Similarly, people say the landslide created such a gust of wind that it even flattened trees.
But now, the local people, with the help of many external parties, have entirely changed the face of Langtang Village. There is a significant difference between the before and after pictures of the Langtang Valley and the Village.
Langtang Village: Deaths
Every house and building, except one, was destroyed in the Village; an estimated death of 310 people occurred in Langtang Valley. 176 of the 310 fatalities were locals from Langtang, 80 were foreigners, and 10 were soldiers. Also, the dead bodies of more than 100 individuals were never discovered. Those who survived the earthquake and avalanche were taken to Yellow Gumba, which lies close to Swayambhu in the Kathmandu valley, and kept safe.
Langtang Village: Earthquake And Israelis’ Conditions
The fatal earthquake that rocked Langtang village on April 25, 2015, and the subsequent avalanche, bothered a lot of people both domestic and international. Many people were trekking along one of the many trails in the Langtang village and valley. And many more were coming across the untamed but stunning Langtang National Park.
However, many lost their way once the avalanche and earthquake struck. Help arrived a little late because Langtang is located in a remote part of Nepal. Additionally, several defenseless Israelis were amid the large group of people having fun in the Village.
While some people were hiking, most lived in tea houses. As a result, the residents in the area assisted and lowered them during the duration of the earthquake. Some visitors to the Langtang National Park made signs and photographs asking for assistance while they were there. When they ran out of food and water, they turned to the nearby villagers for aid. Some of them were mistreated because the locals were also distressed.
But after a few days of living in appalling conditions, they were airlifted off and brought back to their nation.
Langtang Village: Before and After Earthquake
Before the earthquake, Langtang village and the entire Langtang valley were stunning locations with thrilling trekking routes and environments. People were making an effort by maintaining their cheese-making, tourist, and agropastoralism businesses. They herd sheep, yaks, and goats or even partook in various agricultural endeavors. Numerous tourists visited from different nations and had a good time.
The good times in the beautiful Village of Langtang were stopped when an earthquake struck the area on April 25, 2015. The quake was a lot damaging on its own however the avalanche was the main reason for killing people and destroying houses. It caused massive damage in the surrounding areas. Many tourists and local people died while homes turned into rubble.
But the disaster was far from over. Because of the several small earthquakes after the main one, many boulders kept rolling toward the Village. This made the process of rescue and rehabilitation even more difficult. Also, the landslides blocked roads which cut off supply and trade completely. However, with the help of the Nepal Government, many NGOs, INGOs, and local people were rescued from the area immediately. And some were saved consequently.
Also, local people who survived made temporary living spaces from tents and rocks. They also participated in clearing the debris and rescuing people who were deep within the rubble. The effects of the earthquake and landslide that struck this area can still be seen in specific locations.
With the assistance of several international and domestic humanitarian organizations, the hamlet is currently hastily repairing itself to return to its former splendor as soon as possible. Numerous groups, including the Himalayan Climate Initiative, Sunaulo Sansar, and The Langtang Relief Fund, have assisted Langtang village in returning to its previous state while giving the residents the tools they need to stand on their own two feet.
Many students, volunteers, and local people worked together to rescue and rebuild the Village. Sand, cement, steel, and corrugated iron were also given by Sunaulo Sansar, along with residents of South Tyrol from Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, for the construction of their homes.
Langtang Village: Now
Earthquakes and other natural disasters ruin materialistic items and people’s thoughts and hearts. These unforeseen catastrophes appear out of nowhere and consume everything. The scenario worsens if an avalanche or landslide occurs right after the earthquake. Langtang Village now is even better than before.
Around seven years ago, the same thing occurred in the charming Village of Langtang. In this picturesque mountain community, lives were lost, homes were wrecked, tea stores collapsed, and commerce fell off. And tourism stopped.
But as they say, time heals all wounds, and similar incidents are taking place in Langtang to help the area’s profound earthquake damage. Together, the villagers have worked to repair their homes and commercial buildings. People rescued to various other places returned almost immediately and reconstructed their houses in a year. Due to the earthquake, the location has now shifted, but the sentiment has not altered. The renowned tea stores have been reopened to restore it to its former splendor, and hiking and trekking trails have been cleared.
However, because the aftershocks of the earthquake are still clearly felt, the locals’ psychological health is frequently affected. The once-clear pastoral plains now contain debris and rocks that have interfered with agriculture and the herding of numerous domestic animals. Many people have lost their family members and are forced to start their life from the beginning.
The location of the old Village, which is now in ruins, is still visible today. One cannot assert that a village formerly existed in the region other than a few dwellings.
Additionally, according to Langtangpas, the inhabitants of the Langtang Village, most of the valley’s natural springs have dried up since the middle of the 2010s due to continued climate change and global warming. Furthermore, since the 1970s, scientists have unambiguously linked human-caused climate change to the decline in the glacial extent of the Langtang glacier. In addition, an intergovernmental organization ICIMOD saw faults in the cryosphere of Yala Glacier and Langtang Valley during its occasional research.
Since Langtang Village lies in a very vulnerable position, it is more susceptible to climate change. Therefore joint efforts from local people, the Government, and internal entities are necessary to reduce the effect of global warming.
Currently, local people are doing as they can with the support of some external individuals to get their lives back to normal. There are more supplies since there are fewer roadblocks. Most places today have mobile networks and wifi. The newly established community is just as lovely as before and is populated by individuals who are strong, vivacious, and resilient.
In 2018, Kyanjin Gompa, the famous old Gompa, was rebuilt. This was possible with the help of the Japanese Government. Also, the famous Swiss cheese factory in Kyanjin Gompa has been reconstructed and produces cheese like never before.
So, it is safe to say that Langtang Village is now safe for any tourist operations.
Langtang Village: Your New 2023 Adventure
So, folks, you should know about this update before you return to Langtang village. But if we condense this knowledge for you, it would be that Langtang village is now secure and available for business once more.
However, if you want to see Langtang village even more beautiful and better than before, book your next trip to this fantastic destination today. If you can support the hardworking Langtangpas by visiting the local business, it would greatly help their rehabilitation. For this, plan your next trekking adventure to Langtang village with all your closest friends and family members. The locals who have been living in this region for ages know the ins and outs of this place and are eager to welcome you to their home.
They are hopeful and in need of your assistance. The independent natives have a much higher chance of success through tourism if they want to sustain themselves.
The Langtang village trail is very simple and accessible to anyone. Come to Langtang village today. What are you waiting for?
