Lake
Surma Sarovar
A sacred high mountain lake in northern Bajhang, reached by a remote pilgrimage trek below Surma Devi.
Far Westचैनपुर (बझाङ)
Chainpur (Bajhang)
The headquarters of Bajhang, an old royal seat in the Seti valley and the gateway to Saipal and Surma Sarovar.
The headquarters of Bajhang district in the far west, not Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha or elsewhere.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Bajhang, Sudurpashchim
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep), road blockages (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Chainpur is the headquarters of Bajhang district, set in the valley of the Seti River in the northern hills of the far west. It is a small, busy town with a bazaar, offices, schools and a hospital, surrounded by terraced slopes that rise steeply towards the high mountains to the north.
For travellers, Chainpur is the gateway to some of the most remote country in Nepal. Trails and rough roads lead north towards the Saipal range and Surma Sarovar, and west towards the Khaptad plateau, while the main road runs south to Doti and the Terai. Most visitors are trekkers or pilgrims on their way to these places, and the town is where supplies, porters and guides are arranged.
Chainpur's old royal palace and its associations with a reforming ruler give the town a place in Nepal's history, and a walk through the bazaar gives a sense of life in this distant district.
History and culture
Bajhang was a small kingdom that kept a degree of autonomy as a principality within Nepal until the mid-twentieth century. Its best-known ruler, Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh, was a scholar and educationist remembered for promoting the Nepali language and education in the early twentieth century, and the municipality that includes Chainpur is named in his honour. The old palace in Chainpur was the seat of the Bajhang rulers.
The district's people are mostly Khas communities in the middle hills, with Bhotiya communities in the high north. Deuda songs and the Gaura festival are central to local culture, and the town comes alive during Dashain and other festivals.
Things to do in Chainpur (Bajhang)
Palace and bazaar
Walk through the bazaar to the old palace of the Bajhang rulers.
Trek preparation
Arrange guides, porters and supplies for treks to Saipal or Surma Sarovar.
Seti valley walks
Walk out along the river and through nearby villages.
Weather and the best time to visit Chainpur (Bajhang)
Weather in Chainpur (Bajhang)
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are usually dry and clear, with the best views of the northern peaks.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is dry and sunny by day but cold at night; higher ridges can see snow.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warm and fairly clear, with rhododendron in flower on the higher slopes; haze builds by May.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September brings heavy rain, cloud and landslides that often disrupt the hill roads.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Basic hotels and guesthouses in the bazaar.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Chainpur is reached by a long road journey from Dhangadhi via Doti; small aircraft also serve Bajhang's airstrip irregularly.
Nearest hub: Dhangadhi
- flightOccasional small-aircraft flights to Bajhang airport; check current services.
- roadDhangadhi to Chainpur by bus or jeep via Dipayal Silgadhi, a long day or more on hill roads.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Chainpur.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chainpur (Bajhang)
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The road from Doti to Bajhang suffers frequent landslides in the monsoon.
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Landslides can cut the road for days at a time in the rainy season.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Bring cash from the Terai; banking is limited.
- Allow spare days for road delays, especially in the monsoon.
- Check permit requirements for treks north of Chainpur before you set out.
Questions about Chainpur (Bajhang)
Is Chainpur the headquarters of Bajhang?
Yes, Chainpur is the district headquarters of Bajhang.
Who was Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh?
A ruler of Bajhang remembered as a scholar and educationist who promoted the Nepali language.
How do I get there?
By road from Dhangadhi via Doti, or by occasional flights to Bajhang airport.
Nearby
Trek stop
Saipal Base Camp
A wild, rarely visited trekking goal below Saipal, one of the great peaks of Nepal's far west.
National park or conservation area · 3,000 m
Khaptad National Park
A high, rolling plateau of grassland and forest in Nepal's far west, known for its wildflower meadows and the hermitage of Khaptad Baba.
Town or village
Dipayal Silgadhi
The twin towns of Doti: Dipayal by the Seti River and old Silgadhi on the ridge above, gateway to Khaptad.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Chainpur, Bajhang, Wikipedia, Bajhang District, Wikipedia, Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh, Wikipedia