Kathmandu area cashes in on Chinese tourist surge
Restaurants, hotels and even a hospital in the capital's Thamel district offer services to visitors from the north, in their own language
The south side of Kathmandu's tourist hub of Thamel has transformed itself into a cluster of Chinese commerce - restaurants, hotels, travel agencies, shops and even a hospital in this backpackers' haven are strictly targeting Nepal's northern neighbours.
With the country's tourism scene dominated by the influx of Chinese tourists lately, businesses targeting them are also mushrooming. The street that borders the tourist district with the traditional neighbourhood of Jyatha is a prime example.
This stretch of street is crowded with signs in Chinese: Hotels offer their room rates and services, restaurants display their menus and travel agencies plaster their windows with itineraries strictly in the script that would attract their targeted customers.
"It's very helpful," said Kelly Ren, a Chinese tourist visiting Kathmandu with a group of friends. "It's easier to go around and find what you want - it minimises the language barrier."
One of the newest Chinese restaurants has made an effort to set up an authentic ambience. While Putonghua-speaking Nepali staff members approach their guests with menus in their local language, the flat-screen television on the wall is set to a Chinese channel.
A couple of blocks away from this moderately priced restaurant, Ramesh Bishwokarma has opened a small eatery that specialises in cuisine from Sichuan province .