Tourist’s shoes stolen at Boudhanath Stupa
11 Feb 2026 Alpine Asian Treks
On February 10, 2026, I took two Japanese tourists to visit the Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As usual, I bought tickets at Rs. 400 per person from the main gate and entered with the two tourists. Walking slowly around, we entered the stupa area through the gate on the northwest side and decided to perform a kora (circumambulation) from the top level. As instructed, we took off our shoes and began the kora. It was around noon. We walked slowly around the dome of the stupa. At one point, we reached a spot to put our shoes back on. I and one of them were at the place where we had left our shoes and started putting them on. However, Mr. Kenshiro San’s shoes were not there. He started saying, “Eh, where are my shoes?” and looking around, but his shoes were not there. Instead, there was only an old pair of shoes left alongside. We wondered if someone had swapped them by mistake and looked around. We came down and looked a bit further around, but the shoes were not found. After that, we started inquiring with the security guard present there, but he also didn’t know. He rather suggested we report it to the police. I then informed the BShree Boudhanath Area Development Committee and the Tourist Police. The Tourist Police at Boudhanath said they were making a video and would come shortly. The Shree Boudhanath Area Development Committee said they would send someone. By this time, it must have been around 12:10 or 12:15 PM. After many phone calls back and forth, the Tourist Police arrived around 12:35 PM. They conducted a general inquiry; what else could they do? I had already called 1144 earlier and requested them to send police quickly. The Tourist Police who arrived showed no willingness to check or view CCTV footage or do any other work. Seeing that nothing would happen here, we thought of leaving. They suggested we might find slippers in the alley to the north. We went there, bought slippers, and headed towards the gate. Meanwhile, I requested the Shree Boudhanath Area Development Committee to refund the ticket money and show some humanity. They agreed to that too, but at the gate, it became quite complicated. Instead of returning the money as we requested, they started hassling us. Finally, after discussing at their office, they refunded the money.
Let’s talk about the related bodies here.
Local Security guard: Security guards are arranged to look after tourists. Their duties include checking tickets and specifically taking care of tourists’ belongings and shoes. However, around that time of 12 PM, the security guard was not present. According to them later, they had gone to eat lunch, and the one on ticket duty had gone to request another person not to make TIKTOK.
Tourist Police: When a tourist’s shoes were stolen, the Tourist Police did not give it priority. They said they would come after making a video. Even after arriving, they did not even try to check the CCTV footage there to possibly get a lead on the thief. Instead, they behaved as if suggesting the tourist could just buy a new pair of shoes.
Shree Boudhanath Area Development Committee: This committee charges Rs. 400 per tourist. It is also responsible for providing services and facilities to tourists. But at such a time, they were not particularly present there to show formality.
Community Police: This police also appeared once. They provided the mobile number of the Tourist Police and then their whereabouts were not known.
From this incident, it is not just a tourist’s shoes that were stolen. The self-respect of Nepalis has been stolen. All the efforts that should have been made, the searches that should have been conducted, the inquiries that should have been done—none of that happened. Instead, what happened was nothing other than one body pointing towards another and trying to evade responsibility.
CCTV footage should have been checked. The Tourist Police should have responded on time. It is not good to keep tourists waiting for a long time. We feel that thief certainly has good information that the CCTV and security bodies here don’t work. Therefore, it is our desire that the related bodies pay adequate attention to learning a lesson from this incident so that such an event does not recur in the future.
I waited if they response to us after checking the CCTV footage for almost 35hrs but nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do tourists need to pay an entrance fee to visit Boudhanath Stupa?
A: Yes, international tourists are required to pay an entrance fee. As of early 2026, the entry ticket cost is Rs. 400 per person, which is collected by the Shree Boudhanath Area Development Committee at the main gates.
Q: Do you have to take off your shoes at Boudhanath Stupa?
A: Shoes are allowed on the main ground-level circumambulation path. However, if you walk up to the upper dome level to perform a kora (circumambulation), you are required to take off your shoes before stepping onto the sacred platform.
Q: Are shoe racks or safe storage facilities available at the upper level of the Stupa?
A: Currently, there are no secured, attended shoe lockers on the upper level. Visitors leave their footwear in designated open areas near the steps, making it important to keep a close eye on valuable footwear.
Q: What should you do if your shoes or personal belongings get stolen at Boudhanath?
A: You should immediately notify the local security guards on duty, inform the Shree Boudhanath Area Development Committee office, and contact the Nepal Tourist Police by dialing 1144 (the official tourist emergency helpline).
Q: How responsive are local authorities and Tourist Police during an incident at Boudhanath?
A: While security personnel and Tourist Police are deployed in the area, response times can vary. Local authorities may assist with basic reporting, but immediate actions like checking CCTV footage are not always carried out instantly on-site.
Q: What can tourists do if they suddenly lose their footwear at the Stupa?
A: If your shoes are lost or swapped by mistake, you can purchase temporary slip-on sandals or slippers from small shops located in the nearby alleys, particularly along the north gate side of the Stupa complex.
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