TRAVERSE Issue 36 - June 2023 | Page 161

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that sat at an altitude of around 4,500 metres . The road cut deep into the mountain top was spectacular yet paled in comparison to the views from the top of the hill where a small shrine had been placed . Bright ‘ wind horses ’ flapped in the slight breeze , wishing all travellers a safe passage . We all struggled for breath in the thin air of high altitude . I ’ d noticed a slight headache and thought nothing of it .
Lo Manthang is a world like no other . A walled city , the former capital of the Kingdom of Lo , created in the late 1300s . The wall was the first thing constructed and most of it still stands to this day . It remained an autonomous kingdom until 2008 when Nepal was classified as a republic and reigning king stripped of his title .
A population of around 2,000 means that this is a rather small city , yet one that grabs attention and fails to let go . The traveller could spend a lifetime wandering the streets and laneways and fail to notice everything . The people live traditionally and like all Nepali they are most welcoming , it ’ s clear to see that traditions are fighting a battle against the forces of the modern world . Tik Tok has infiltrated this
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