Attendees pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the Nepal National Pavilion in Gongshu district, Hangzhou. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The Nepal National Pavilion (Hangzhou) opened in Gongshu district on April 13, marking a milestone in China-Nepal relations as the two countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties.

The opening ceremony was attended by Nepal's Ambassador to China Krishna Prasad Oli, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chiri Babu Maharjan, and Hangzhou Vice-Mayor Chen Weiqiang.

Located at Gaojia Garden on Fengjing Street, the pavilion is the only Nepal "national pavilion" brand in China approved by Nepal's central government. It aims to deepen cooperation in trade, culture, and tourism between the two countries, while also serving as a key platform for promoting Nepal's 2025 Tourism Year.

Ambassador Oli called the pavilion a vivid example of Belt and Road cooperation and a vital link in building cross-Himalayan connectivity. He highlighted plans for collaboration between Hangzhou and Lalitpur in smart city technology, clean energy, cultural tourism, and academic exchanges.

At the ceremony, representatives jointly unveiled the pavilion and launched the Nepal 2025 Tourism Year campaign. Several strategic cooperation agreements were signed between the pavilion and local institutions such as the Zhejiang Merchants Research Institute, Gongshu district's culture & tourism group, and China Unicom Hangzhou, covering fields such as culture, economy, and digital innovation.

The Nepal National Pavilion will host regular cultural weeks, trade fairs, and traditional markets, integrating Lalitpur's craftsmanship more deeply with Hangzhou's Grand Canal heritage.

Lalitpur – also called Patan and known as the City of Handicrafts – is Nepal's second-largest city in the Kathmandu Valley, with a history spanning over 1,300 years. The city has been a close partner of Hangzhou since 1999, and the two sides are set to expand cooperation in cultural preservation, smart city development, and traditional crafts.