Pokhara

Pokhara
पोखरा
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Nicknames: 
City of Lakes, Tourism Capital of Nepal
Motto: 
Nepali: सफा पोखरा; हरियो पोखरा, lit.'Clean Pokhara, Green Pokhara'
Interactive map of Pokhara
Pokhara
Pokhara
Coordinates: 28°12′30″N 83°59′20″E / 28.20833°N 83.98889°E / 28.20833; 83.98889
Country   Nepal
ProvinceGandaki
DistrictKaski
Incorporated1962
No. of Wards33
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • BodyPokhara Metropolitan City Council
 • MayorDhana Raj Acharya, CPN (Unified Socialist)
 • Deputy mayorManju Devi Gurung, CPN(UML)
Area
 • Total
464.24 km2 (179.24 sq mi)
 • Water4.4 km2 (1.7 sq mi)
 • Rank1st
Elevation
822 m (2,697 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
600,051
 • Rank2nd
 • Density1,292.5/km2 (3,347.7/sq mi)
 • Households
120,594 (2nd most)
DemonymPokhareli
Languages
 • OfficialNepali and (Other Language)
Ethnicities
 • EthnicitiesBahun, Gurung, Chhetri, Magar, Newar,
Time zoneUTC+5:45 (NST)
Postal Codes
33700 (WRPD), 33702, 33704, 33706, 33708, 33713
Area code061
International AirportPokhara International Airport
Websitepokharamun.gov.np

Pokhara (Nepali: पोखरा [ˈpokʰʌɾa]) is a metropolitan city located in central Nepal, which serves as the capital of Gandaki Province. Named the country's "capital of tourism" it is the second largest city after Kathmandu, with 600,051 inhabitants living in 120,594 households as of 2021 census.

Pokhara is located 200 kilometres (120 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu, on the shore of Phewa Lake, and sits at an average elevation of approximately 822 m above sea level. The Annapurna Range, with three out of the ten highest peaks in the world—Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu—is within 15–35 mi (24–56 km) aerial range from the valley.

In 2024, Pokhara was declared as the tourism capital of Nepal, being a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna Circuit through the Annapurna Conservation Area region of the Annapurna ranges in the Himalayas. The city is also home to many of the elite Gurkha soldiers, soldiers native to South Asia of Nepalese nationality recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping forces and in war zones around the world.