The stupa was built by monks of the Japanese Buddhist order Nipponzan Myohoji, whose founder Nichidatsu Fujii set out to build peace pagodas around the world after the Second World War. The foundation stone, with relics of the Buddha, was laid in 1973; the structure that stands today was completed in 1999. It is one of a small number of peace pagodas in Nepal, alongside the one in Lumbini. Monks still live and pray on site.
The pagoda is a gleaming white dome on a two-tiered base, with a gilded spire and four golden Buddha images in niches facing the four directions, each a gift from a different Buddhist country. A walkway circles the upper tier. Below it, a small Japanese temple holds daily prayers with drums. The whole site is kept quiet and orderly: visitors are asked to dress modestly, remove shoes on the upper level and keep voices low.
For most travellers the view is the reward. Phewa Lake lies directly below, with the Tal Barahi island temple, Lakeside's hotels and the Sarangkot ridge beyond, and behind them the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre on clear days. The classic visit combines a boat across the lake with a 45-minute climb through Raniban forest, followed by a walk down the other side to Damside or Devi's Falls. Allow 3–4 hours for the full loop.
What to see and do
- The view over Phewa
From the stupa terrace the whole of Phewa Lake lies below, with Tal Barahi temple on its island, Lakeside along the eastern shore and the Sarangkot ridge behind. On clear days Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas rise above it all.
- The white stupa
The dome is circled by a walkway on its upper tier, with four golden Buddha images facing the cardinal directions. Walk clockwise around it barefoot, as the monks request, and look out over the lake from each side.
- Boat and forest climb
Row across Phewa from Lakeside to the south shore landing in 20–30 minutes, then climb a stone trail through Raniban forest for about 45 minutes. It is the most enjoyable way to arrive, with the view revealing itself at the top.
- Sunset over the Annapurnas
Late afternoon light falls on the mountains and lake from the west. Stay until the peaks turn pink, then walk or drive down before dark. Café terraces near the stupa serve tea with the view.
- Walk down to Devi's Falls
A trail descends the south side of the hill through forest and villages to Chhorepatan, near Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave, in about an hour. It turns the visit into a loop that ends at two more sights.
Experiences in World Peace Pagoda
How to reach World Peace Pagoda
Road
A road climbs from the Siddhartha Highway near Chhorepatan to a parking area below the stupa, about 25 minutes by taxi from Lakeside. From the car park it is a 10–15 minute walk up steps. Taxis wait or return for a fixed fare.
On foot
Take a boat from Lakeside to the landing on the south shore of Phewa (20–30 minutes), then climb about 300 m through Raniban forest on a stone trail to the stupa in roughly 45 minutes. You can also walk up from Damside across the dam in about an hour. Walk down to Chhorepatan or back to the boat.
Where to stay
There are no hotels at the stupa itself, though a few small guesthouses and cafes sit on the ridge nearby with lake views. Visitors stay in Pokhara: Lakeside hotels such as Hotel Barahi and Temple Tree Resort & Spa are a boat ride away, and Pokhara Grande at Pardi, near Damside, is closest to the road up. Fish Tail Lodge on its peninsula looks directly across the lake at Anadu hill and the stupa, which is lit up at night.
Tips from our trip managers
- Combine the boat to the stupa with a visit to Tal Barahi temple on the way across.
- Dress modestly and be ready to remove shoes on the upper level of the stupa.
- Videos and drones are restricted at the stupa, so check signs before filming.
- Agree a one-way fare with the boatman if you plan to walk down the other side.
- Start the climb by 3:30 pm in winter to see sunset and get down before dark.
