Lake · 650 m
Begnas Lake
A quieter freshwater lake in the east of the Pokhara valley, ringed by forested ridges, rice terraces and fish farms.
Pokharaविश्व शान्ति स्तूप
World Peace Pagoda
A white Buddhist peace stupa on Anadu Hill, looking over Phewa Tal and Pokhara to the Annapurna range.
The Shanti Stupa on Anadu Hill above Phewa Tal in Pokhara, not the World Peace Pagoda in Lumbini or the Shanti Stupas in India.
- Altitude
- 1,100 m
- Best months
- Oct-Apr
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Kaski, Gandaki
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
The World Peace Pagoda, or Shanti Stupa, crowns Anadu Hill on the forested ridge along the south shore of Phewa Tal, at about 1,100 m, some 300 m above the lake. Its white dome and gilded spire are visible from much of Lakeside. From the terraces around the stupa the whole lake spreads below, with Pokhara city to the east and, on clear mornings, Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre along the northern skyline.
The stupa is about 35 m high and has two circular terraces for walking around it. Set into niches on the upper terrace are four golden Buddha statues, gifts from Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal, each recalling a key place in the Buddha's life. A small prayer hall nearby holds daily Buddhist rites.
Getting there is part of the visit. The classic route is to row across Phewa Tal from Lakeside and climb a steep stone-and-earth trail through forest, about 45-60 minutes. A road also reaches a parking area below the stupa from the Davis Falls side, so it is easy to combine with Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave as part of Pokhara's south-side sights. Sunrise and late afternoon give the softest light and clearest views.
History and culture
The pagoda was built by the Japanese Buddhist order Nipponzan-Myohoji, whose founder, Nichidatsu Fujii, set out to build peace pagodas around the world after the Second World War. In Pokhara the monk Morioka Sonin led the work with local supporters, including the nun Dharmashila Guruma and Min Bahadur Gurung, who donated land and whose statue stands near the stupa. Fujii laid the foundation stone with relics of the Buddha in September 1973.
Construction ran into opposition from the Panchayat-era government, and the half-built structure was ordered demolished on security grounds. The project was revived after the restoration of multiparty democracy: Girija Prasad Koirala laid a new foundation stone in May 1992, and the completed stupa was inaugurated in October 1999. It is one of two Nipponzan-Myohoji peace pagodas in Nepal, the other being in Lumbini. Monks still chant and drum in the prayer hall, and full-moon days bring larger ceremonies.
Things to do in World Peace Pagoda
Boat and hike up
Row across Phewa Tal from Lakeside and climb the forest trail, about 45-60 minutes, then walk down another way.
Circle the terraces
Walk clockwise around the two terraces to see the four Buddha statues and the views in every direction.
Join the south-side loop
Walk or drive down to Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave in Chhorepatan, a short way below the ridge.
Stay for sunset
Small cafes and guesthouses on the ridge make it easy to wait for evening light over the lake.
Weather and the best time to visit World Peace Pagoda
Weather in World Peace Pagoda
Forecast for 1,100 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Apr
- Good month: 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 give the clearest mountain views and comfortable walking on the forest trail.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is dry and clear; mornings are cold and the lake may be misty below the stupa.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to April is warm with rhododendrons on the ridge; haze increases in May.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is wet: the trail is muddy, leeches are common in the forest and the peaks are usually hidden.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHotels
A few small guesthouses sit on the ridge near the stupa for sunrise; otherwise stay in Lakeside and come up for the day.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The stupa is on the ridge south of Phewa Tal, about 7 km from Mahendrapul. Reach it by boat and trail from Lakeside, or by road from the Davis Falls side.
Nearest hub: Pokhara
- boatRowing boats cross Phewa Tal from Lakeside to the south-shore trailhead in about 20-30 minutes.
- walkFrom the south shore a steep forest trail climbs to the stupa in about 45-60 minutes.
- roadBy taxi from Lakeside via Chhorepatan, roughly 25-40 minutes to the parking area, then 10-15 minutes up steps.
Permits and fees
None needed
There is no entry fee for the stupa. Filming and drone use are restricted.
- Video and drones: Video recording on the stupa is restricted and may need permission; check the signs at the site.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Pokhara (Wikivoyage).
Practical tips
- Remove shoes before climbing to the upper terrace and walk clockwise around the stupa.
- Keep quiet near the prayer hall and the statues; this is an active place of worship.
- In the monsoon expect leeches and slippery mud on the forest trail; wear proper shoes.
- Carry water; there are cafes on the ridge but none on the forest trail.
- Mobile signal is generally available on the hilltop.
Questions about World Peace Pagoda
How do I get to the World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara?
Row across Phewa Tal from Lakeside and hike about 45-60 minutes up through forest, or take a taxi via Chhorepatan to the parking area below the stupa.
Is there an entry fee for the Peace Pagoda?
No entry fee is charged, but filming and drone use are restricted.
When is the best time to visit the World Peace Pagoda?
Early morning or late afternoon from October to April, when the mountains are most likely to be clear.
How high is the World Peace Pagoda?
The stupa stands at about 1,100 m on Anadu Hill and is about 35 m tall.
More in Pokhara
All of Pokhara
Viewpoint · 780 m
Davis Falls
A waterfall in south Pokhara where the outflow of Phewa Tal drops into a narrow chasm and disappears underground.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 778 m
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
A Shiva cave shrine in south Pokhara, with a lower passage that ends behind the falling water of Davis Falls.
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International Mountain Museum
A museum in south Pokhara on the Himalaya's peaks, the people who climb them and the communities who live among them.
Lake · 2,546 m
Kapuche Lake
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Panchase
A forested hill at about 2,500 m west of Phewa Tal, with a temple and pond on top and views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Lake · 742 m
Phewa Tal
Pokhara's main lake, with rowing boats, an island temple and Machhapuchhre reflected on still mornings.
Lake · 600 m
Rupa Lake
A small, shallow lake beside Begnas in the east of the Pokhara valley, managed by a local fisheries cooperative and rich in waterbirds.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 150 m
Lumbini
The birthplace of the Buddha in the Terai, a sacred garden with an Ashokan pillar, ringed by monasteries from across the Buddhist world.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Shanti Stupa, Pokhara (Wikipedia), Pokhara (Wikivoyage)