April 20: More than 31,000 foreign tourists visited Ghodepani-Poon Hill area of Annapurna rural municipality-6 in Myagdi district in 2080 BS.     
According to Tourist Police Post, Ghodepani, 31,439 tourists visited the area in a year. The Tourist Police Post keeps record of foreign tourists entering and leaving Ghodepani. However, the post does not keep the record of domestic tourists visiting the area.    
A total of 25,279 tourists entered Ghodepani-Poon Hill area while 6,160 tourists went to other places via Ghodepani last year, said senior head constable at the Ghodepani Police Post, Tek Bahadur Magar.    
The highest number of foreign tourists visited Ghodepani in the month of Chait (mid-March to mid-April), which stood at 5,849.    
Similarly, 4,414 tourists entered Ghodepani-Poon Hill area in Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May), 1,281 in Jeth (mid-May to mid-June), 441 in Asar (mid-June to mid-July), 947 in Saun (mid-July to mid-August), 972 in Bhadau (mid-August to mid-September), 4,298 in Asoj (mid-September to mid-October), 4,357 in Kartik (mid-October to mid-November), 3,199 in Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December), 1,627 in Push (mid-December to mid-January), 1,577 in Magh (mid-January to mid-February) and 2,477 in Falgun (mid-February to mid-March).    
Likewise, 26,301 foreign tourists had visited Ghodepani in 2079 BS. Hotel entrepreneur Juli Thakuri Pun said the increasing number of tourists visiting Ghodepani area has raised hope among the hotel entrepreneurs.    
The arrival of domestic tourists has also increased due to favourable weather and school vacation, she added. Around 60,000-70,000 tourists used to visit Ghodepani annually before the coronavirus pandemic.    
Tourists arrive at Poon Hill and Ghodepani to see sunrise as well as panoramic view of rhododendron forest and mountains. There are 27 small and big hotels at Ghodepani. Poon Hill lies at a distance of one hour trek from Ghodepani at 3,210 meters above sea level.    
A domestic tourist has to pay Rs 50 while foreign tourist Rs 150 to enter Poon Hill area. One can see panoramic view of Dhaulagiri, Sisne, Gurja, Manapathi, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu mountains from Poon Hill. -- RSS