Explore the hidden kingdom of Mustang, Nepal, amidst the towering Annapurna Range. Nora Walsh of The New York Times recommends a visit in 2024 to experience ancient Tibetan culture and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. With improved transportation, delve into Mustang’s rich history, vibrant festivals, and serene villages in the Upper Mustang region and Lo Manthang.

A new 183-mile road linking the region to China, as well as the gleaming but debt-saddled and increasingly contentious international airport in Pokhara—both projects backed by Beijing—will give travelers easier access to sites like the well-preserved medieval fortress of Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang, which was a restricted area for tourists until the early 1990s. Wilderness treks through the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges traverse river gorges, glacial lakes, and rugged trails dotted with yaks and sheep.