The New York Times describes 52 Places to Go in 2025
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, has been described as a special place as one of the top 10 destinations must be visited by The New York Times (NYT) in its 2025 travel destination lists.
Due to its historical and spiritual significance Lumbini is one of the most important holy sites in the world, where there are many monuments of Buddhist and historical importance. Thus, Lumbini has been ranked in ninth out of 52 destinations of the lists of The New York Times.
Lumbini’s historical importance and its serene environment attract tourists from all over the world. The New York Times’s placing Lumbini on the ninth destination list where the people must visit once in their life is a great achievement for Nepal.
Lumbini Development Trust has stated that in the year 2024 over 1.1 million people visited Lumbini. The Trust believes that after being included in this list, tourists will visit Lumbini not only from Buddhist countries but also from other countries.
Earlier in 2024, Mustang located between two high peaks Dhawalagiri and Nilgiri and was the main trade route at that time between Nepal and Tibet was enlisted as one of the top destinations to visit in The New York Times too.
Situated in the Terai plains of Rupandehi district in southern Nepal, Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha.
According to the sacred texts of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama was born in 623 B.C. achieved Enlightenment becoming Shakyamuni Buddha and later passed into parinirvana at the age of 80 years, in 544 BC. Interestingly, all the three achievements gained-born-enlightenment-death-in the life of Profounder of Buddhism Lord Buddha also called Light of Asia happened on the Baiskaha Poornima day.
Lumbini is one of four most sacred pilgrimage sites pivotal in the life of the Buddha and is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.
Recognizing Lumbini’s outstanding universal value, UNESCO enlisted it as a World Heritage Site in 1997.
In 1998, the first World Buddhist Summit was held in Lumbini, declaring it the “Fountain of World Peace”.
In 2016, on the 2560th Buddha Jayanti (Buddha’s birthday), the Nepali government convened the International Buddhist Conference which declared Lumbini as the “Birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha and the Fountain of Buddhism and World Peace”
In 1967, U Thant, the then United Nations Secretary-General, visited Lumbini on a pilgrimage. He advised the Nepalese government to develop Lumbini as an international pilgrimage and tourist center.
The Lumbini Development Master Plan was developed in 1978 designed by Japanese architect Professor Kenzo Tange.
Later, Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) was established in 1985 to follow the development plan.
Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
In Lumbini, various countries Thailand, India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Singapore, France, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, Austria, China, South Korea, have built their Buddhist monasteries.

As a centerpiece of Buddhism’ holy place—Lumbini reflects the global reach and influence of the Buddha’s teachings, as well as the continued dedication of Buddhist communities from around the world to foster spiritual practices and education on Buddhism with a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural and religious legacy.
Besides experiencing meditation and spiritual enrichment visitors can enjoy natural to cultural, ecological to inspiring heritage stewardship of Lumbini’s natural heritage.
Lumbini has been described as a special place in The New York Times’ 2025 travel destination list due to its historical and spiritual significance. As the birthplace of Buddha. Lumbini is one of the most important holy sites in the world, where there are many monuments of Buddhist and historical importance.
The New York Times mentioned:
“Millenniums ago, a queen named Maya Devi is said to have entered the Gardens of Lumbini and given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Lumbini, in present-day Nepal, has since become a pilgrimage site filled with ancient ruins and contemporary Buddhist centers. And 10 years after a devastating earthquake rattled the country, new temples and meditation centers are opening. Inaugurated in November, the Thousand Buddha Temple is a three-level, Tibetan-style structure adorned with three 16-foot golden Buddha statues and more than 1,000 other Buddha statues. This year, the city will welcome the India International Center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage, a carbon-neutral, lotus-shaped building with meditation and exhibition rooms. Renovation work will also begin on the Ramagrama Stupa, a UNESCO-listed temple site from the sixth century B.C. about 30 miles from Lumbini. The Italian architect Stefano Boeri has provided the restoration design plan.
— Seth Sherwood
According to By Tariro Mzezewa, The New York Times published the first version of its “Places to Go” list in January 2005 with suggestions for dozens of voyages for people itching for new adventures.
Thus, 2025 is the 20th year publishing the “Places To Go.” During 20 years of information publication history The New York Times has so far pointed out 914 places of the 145 countries, 366 different cities and towns and 41 U.S. states.
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper based in New York City.
Founded by George Jones, Henry Jarvis Raymond the broadsheet American daily newspaper The New York Times published its first issue First issue on September 18, 1851which claims having 10,800,000 news subscribers (as of May 2024).