Stereotypes About Nepal & Nepali People– From a Chinese Friend’s Perspective
Before ever meeting a Nepali person, my Chinese friend, Bo Yan, admitted something openly:
“Nepal felt like a mysterious place to me. I had no real image of it — no mental picture, no news, no media coverage. It just didn’t exist much in my world.”
This blog is about how his perception of Nepal and Nepali people transformed — from vague stereotypes and distant assumptions to a deep sense of connection and respect.
What He Thought Before Meeting Any Nepali People
Growing up in China, Nepal was rarely mentioned in school, media, or conversation. But when it was, it came with a set of default assumptions:
Tiny, poor, and underdeveloped.
“I honestly thought Nepal was one of the most underdeveloped countries. The news portrayed it that way. Some of my Chinese friends even went on volunteer trips and came back saying there was no internet, no proper roads.”
A complete mystery.
“Compared to countries like India, Thailand, or Japan — I had no reference point for Nepal. Not in media, not in daily life. I never imagined I’d ever meet someone from there.”
Sole image? A knife.
“My first knowledge of Nepal came from a weapon — the kukuri. It was featured in a popular Chinese video game. That’s literally the only connection I had with Nepal as a kid.”
His Assumptions About Nepali People
Even more telling than the country stereotypes were the assumptions about its people:
“Honestly, I didn’t have a clear stereotype of Nepali people — because I’d never seen any. Not on TV, not online. They weren’t part of the global conversation. So I assumed they were distant, different, and probably hard to connect with.”
And then… he met Nepali people in real life.
What Changed After Meeting Nepali People
In his words:
“Everything changed. You guys were nothing like I expected. In fact, you were the exact opposite.”
Here’s what shifted:
From distant to warm.
“I expected cultural distance. But instead, you were easy to talk to, open, and curious. You asked questions, told stories, and genuinely cared about what I thought.”
From reserved to generous.
“I come from a culture where we’re taught to hold back, to protect our privacy. But with Nepali people, even strangers share thoughts, check in with you, and go out of their way to make you feel included — even at parties.”
From “undeveloped” to culturally rich.
“After experiencing your food, your music, and how much pride you have in your traditions — I realized I knew nothing. Nepal isn’t behind; it’s just… different. And it’s full of color.”
The Power of Real Connection
The biggest realization for him was this:
“Social media never showed me this side of Nepal. Meeting Nepali people changed how I saw the country — and made me want to know more. You can’t form real opinions until you talk to real people.”
Final Thoughts
Stereotypes often come from absence — the absence of stories, of exposure, of interaction.
For my Chinese friend, Nepal went from a forgotten name on the map to a place filled with warmth, culture, and connection — all because he took the time to listen.
“If someone asked me what Nepal is like now,” he said, “I’d tell them to go meet a Nepali person. That’ll tell you more than the internet ever will.”