Dharan lies east of Kathmandu at the very foothills of the Himalayas. This picturesque town, that was once a British settlement, stands 1200 feet above the sea level. Its broad roads, decorated homes and natural beauty mark the city. Once a sleepy hamlet, Dharan grew after British setup the `Gorkha Recruitment Center' in 1953. It came as a great employment opportunity for the locals. Two ethnic groups namely Rais and Limbus basically inhabit the place around Dharan. These two groups constitute the majority of Gorkha Regiment. These groups came from the eastern region of Nepal, and Dharan was their center for training. Sapta Kosi, the second longest river of Nepal, runs near Dharan.

Dharan is called "Eton of Nepal" because of the numerous educational institutions that are scattered all around. Apart from that the place has over 25 Temples and holy sites, making it an important pilgrimage destination for the Hindus. Among the temples Pindeshwar, Dantakali and Pancha Kanyan are the must visit because of their distinct architecture styles. Bhedetar, located 9 Kilometer away from Dharan, is probably the best viewpoint in the entire Tarai region. Weather permitting; one can witness magnificent views of the Himalayan range from this site.

Apart from that, you have Pakhri Bash to visit. This was mere a small hill village before the British chose it for building the base camp for the Gorkha Regiment. The place was used to recruit cadets in the Gorkha Regiment of the Colonial British Armed Force. Some British monuments, including a Church can be found here. The place is also popular for "Thongba", liquor made out of fermented millet seeds and lemonade. This light drink is a craze among the westerners.