China doubles fees for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra

Beijing (China) – China has doubled the fees for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra. China has begun issuing visas for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra which was closed for the past three years. China has doubled the rate for all the various amounts charged for the Yatra. If the pilgrims take Nepali workers to help them the additional fees will be Rs 24,000 (USD $300). This fee is called a ‘Grass Damaging Fee’. China claims that the grass on the path is damaged during the time of the Yatra, and so they take this amount from the pilgrims to mitigate the damage.

China’s new rules for the pilgrims

China has created some new rules for the pilgrims. All pilgrims will have to get their Unique Identification (computerised identification) at the Kathmandu camp. For this, there will be scanning of fingerprints and iris.

China’s new rules made with the intention of reducing the number of Indian pilgrims – Nepal

The Nepali tour operators say that China’s complicated rules have been made to reduce the number of foreign tourists, especially Indians. According to ‘The Kathmandu Post’ 3 Nepali tourist agencies have presented a petition to the Chinese Ambassador Chen Sang to withdraw these new fees.

Mansarovar (Credit : Travel and Leisure Asia)

Kailash Yatra is done through three different highways. First- Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand), Second- Nathu Pass (Sikkim) and Third- Kathmandu. These three routes take a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 21 days.

Editorial Viewpoint

This is China’s Hinduphobia. The Indian Government should oppose it and pressurise China to abolish the increase in fees.