Town or village
Khandbari
The ridge-top headquarters of Sankhuwasabha district above the Arun valley, and the road gateway to the Makalu region.
चैनपुर
Chainpur
An old Newar hill bazaar in Sankhuwasabha, long known for its brass and copper metalwork.
This is Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha district, eastern Nepal, not the other places named Chainpur in Nepal or India.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Sankhuwasabha, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Chainpur is an old hill bazaar in Sankhuwasabha district, set on the slopes east of the Arun valley, south of the district headquarters at Khandbari. It is one of the historic market towns of north-eastern Nepal, and its core still has the look of a traditional bazaar: a stone-paved main street lined with brick and stone houses, carved wooden windows, small temples and shops opening onto the lane.
The town is best known for metalwork. Generations of craftsmen in Chainpur have made brass and copper vessels by hand, including the water jars, plates and ritual objects used in homes and temples across the eastern hills. Some workshops still operate, and visitors can sometimes watch metal being hammered, cast and polished.
Chainpur is a calm place for a night or two, off the main trekking route but easily combined with a trip to Khandbari or the Makalu region. Walks around the town lead through terraced farmland, and higher ground gives views over the Arun valley and, in clear weather, towards the snow peaks to the north.
History and culture
Like several bazaars in the eastern hills, Chainpur grew around Newar traders and artisans who settled along the trade routes between the plains and the high valleys. The Newar metalworking families gave the town its reputation, and their craft, carried on by castes traditionally associated with metal, is still the town's signature. Chainpur was an important administrative and trading centre in the eastern hills before the district headquarters developed at Khandbari.
Around the bazaar live Rai, Limbu, Chhetri, Brahmin and other communities, and Hindu, Buddhist and Kirat traditions all play a part in local life. Newar festivals and Hindu celebrations such as Dashain and Tihar bring the old lanes to life, while Rai and Limbu villages in the surrounding hills keep their own seasonal rites and dances.
Things to do in Chainpur
Metalwork
Look for workshops where brass and copper vessels are still made by hand, and ask before photographing craftsmen at work.
Bazaar walk
Walk the stone-paved main street and side lanes, visiting the small temples of the old town.
Hill walks
Follow paths into the surrounding farmland for views over the Arun valley.
Combine with Khandbari
Pair Chainpur with a stay in Khandbari or a trek into the Makalu region.
Weather and the best time to visit Chainpur
Weather in Chainpur
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Jan
- Good month: 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 dry and clear, with festivals and good views.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and dry; mornings are often foggy in the valleys.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warm, with flowering trees and some haze.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, with landslides on the access roads.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHomestays
A few simple guesthouses in the bazaar; Khandbari has more choice.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Fly to Tumlingtar in the Arun valley or travel by road to Khandbari, then continue by local transport to Chainpur.
Nearest hub: Tumlingtar
- flightKathmandu to Tumlingtar by small aircraft.
- jeepLocal jeeps and buses connect Chainpur with Tumlingtar and Khandbari; ask locally for current routes and times.
- roadLong-distance buses and jeeps run from the eastern Terai towards Khandbari and the Arun valley.
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 Sankhuwasabha District, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chainpur
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
Monsoon rain brings landslides to the hill roads around Chainpur and the Arun valley.
Road blockagesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Rough road sections become muddy and can be cut for a day or more in heavy rain.
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
- Buy metalwork directly from workshops where possible, and check weight before carrying heavy items onward.
- Carry cash; banking options are limited.
- Ask before photographing people, homes and temples.
- Plan spare time for road delays, especially after rain.
Questions about Chainpur
What is Chainpur known for?
Its old Newar bazaar and its tradition of handmade brass and copper metalwork.
Where is Chainpur?
In Sankhuwasabha district, Koshi Province, on the hillsides east of the Arun valley, south of Khandbari.
How do I get to Chainpur?
Fly to Tumlingtar or travel by road towards Khandbari, then take a local jeep or bus.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is required.
Nearby
Valley or region
Barun Valley
A glacier-carved valley in Makalu Barun National Park, leading through forest and high pasture to the foot of Makalu.
Town or village · 310 m
Dharan
A lively foothill city where the plains meet the Mahabharat hills, with hilltop temples, Gurkha heritage and the road up to Bhedetar.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Chainpur, Sankhuwasabha, Wikipedia, Sankhuwasabha District, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board