Hilsa, Nepal
Hilsa is a town on the northwestern corner of Nepal bordering Tibet Autonomous Region where the Humla Karnali crosses from the Tibetan Plateau into the mountain regions on its descent to the Ganges. Hilsa is in Humla District, Karnali Zone facing Burang County, Ngari the westernmost prefecture of the T.A.R.
From Hilsa, a rough road extends into Nepal as far as Simikot. From Simikot, transport onward to the rest of Nepal is on foot or by air, meaning that goods arriving from the south are expensive. Goods trucked in through the T.A.R. are cheaper, despite the long distances from China's coastal factories. The Government of Nepal operates a customs checkpoint in Hilsa, mainly to levy duties.
Across the bridge that is the actual border point, Chinese officials concern themselves with passport control. Ethnic Tibetans are largely barred from leaving for Nepal and India. Admission to T.A.R. is only granted to groups who acquire liaison officers at the border. Visitors are mainly tourists and pilgrims of the Bon, Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and even New Age faiths bound for Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. Beyond Hilsa, they proceed by road some up the Karnali to Burang Town, known to Nepalis and Indians as Taklakot. It is the main staging point for excursions to the holy lake and mountain.
