The name Ilam is derived from the Limbu Language which is the word “Ii” means twisted and the word “Lam” means road. Tea production in Ilam started in 1863 when the Chinese government offered to Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana for tea cultivation. Ilam is a district of Nepal situated in the far eastern.
Ilam is a tea-producing area in Nepal. This district is mostly covered by hills and also surrounded by the natural geo-structure, temperate climate, low green hills and fertile lands, simple living style and houses own arts and unique style. The district is famous for tea and potato, cardamom, ginger, red round chilly and grass from which brooms are made. All produced materials are exported to foreign countries.
On another hand, Ilam also contains many famous tourist areas. They are Shriantu (situated in the far east of Ilam and famous for viewing sunrise and also beautiful tea gardens can be seen from this place.), Sandakpur (Situated in the north of Ilam and different animals such as musk deer, red panda, rare species of birds pheasant can also be watched), Mangmalung (situated in the middle Of Ilam and famous for religious place for the Kiratis), Chhintapu (Mt. Kanchenjunga and parts of Ilam can be seen from here.), Maipokhari (situated at the top of Maipokhari and Sulubung in the middle of the forest and has 188 sq. hectares in an area with a radius of 750 m with nine corners.), Todke Waterfall (situated in Maimajhuwa in the north and the highest waterfall in Ilam with 285 ft. high).
Tourists from different countries come to Ilam district for a tour. Many religious tourists come here to visit and worship in the temple of the Ilam district. Here tourists come to see the tea garden and sunrise place to watch the sun rising early in the morning. You can also taste the local tea that is directly brought from the tea garden without processing it at the factory. Therefore, tourists from around the world come to Ilam to visit and to take the entertainment of nature and beauty.
Places to visit in Ilam
Sandakpur Nepal – A Hidden Paradise In Ilam
Sandakpur is a beautiful place located at the border area of Nepal (Panchthar, Ilam of Nepal) and India (West Bengal of India). It is 3636 meters above sea level. Mountain ranges such as Kanchenjunga and Kumbhakarna can be seen from this place. Tourists from different parts of India visit here. You can get there from Ilam via Biblyante, Maipokhari and then to Sandakpur.
Kanyam – One of the most famous tourist destinations of eastern Nepal. Other places to visit near Kanyam are Shree Antu and Mai pokhari.
Skywalk Tower Kanyam – It is located near the Kanyam tea garden on the Mechi Highway to attract more tourists. It is located at Suryodaya Rural Municipality-7, Illam.
Kanyam Picnic Spot – It is a beautiful place for having picnics in Nepal