Langtang is a region in the Himalayas of Nepal located to the north of the Kathmandu Valley and bordering Tibet. The Langtang National Park is situated in this area, home to around 4,500 people who live inside the park and many more who depend on it for timber and firewood. The majority of the residents are Tamang ethnic group.
The park boasts a wide variety of climatic zones, from subtropical to alpine, and around 25% of the park is covered in forest. The forest consists of deciduous oak and maple, evergreens like pine, and various types of rhododendrons. The park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the Himalayan black bear, the Himalayan tahr, rhesus monkeys and red pandas. There are also stories of Yeti sightings in the area.
The park also holds spiritual significance as it contains the Gosainkunda lakes, which are sacred to Hindus, and is a destination for pilgrimage in August. Another spiritual site in the park is the Buddhist monastery Kyanjin Gompa.
Popular activities for tourists in the park include trekking, climbing and white-water rafting. However, the village of Langtang was completely destroyed by a massive avalanche and earthquake in April 2015, causing an estimated 310 deaths, including 176 Langtang residents
