The name Rhododendron comes from the Greek words for rose (rhodon) and tree (dendron), but despite these words, rhododendrons are shrubs. They can be either evergreen or deciduous and are sometimes found growing wild in forests. The foothills of the Annapurna Mountain range in Nepal, particularly in Ghorepani and Poon Hill, are known for their stunning displays of Rhododendron flowers. These destinations are located at elevations of 2,874 meters and 3,210 meters above sea level, respectively, within the Annapurna Conservation Area and are popular tourist spots. During the spring months of March to May, visitors from all over the world come to see the various species of Rhododendrons blossom all over the hills.
To date, 31 species of Rhododendrons have been identified in Nepal, out of which the Ghorepani region has 8 of them. The Rhododendron arboretum is regarded as the national flower of Nepal, and it is known as Lali Gurans (red one) in Nepali. During the spring season, the beauty of the flowering rhododendrons attracts thousands of trekkers to Nepal every year. Along the trekking trails, trees can be seen flowering at lower elevations in early March, and the season can extend into May at the higher elevations. It is a great experience for tourists to take photos of the beautiful rhododendron flowers against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayan Mountains including at Ghorpani Poon Hill.