Olangchung Gola is a village in ward no. 7 of Phaktanglungrural municipality of Taplejung District of Province No. 1 in Nepal. It is located to the north of Tamor River in the mountainous area in the northwest of Taplejung District bordering Tibet, China. Lately the river flowing next to the village is gradually expanding towards the village posing a serious threat of submerging the village. Olangchung is surrounded by Lelep village to the east and Tibet to the north, Sankhuwasabha District to west and Mikkwakhola rural municipality to south. It was once a strategic place between Tibet, Nepal and Sikkim. Historically Tipta La the pass connecting the area with Tibet was an important trade route. In addition, Olangchung Gola was the trade hub for surrounding villages such as Yangma, Ghunsa, Khangbachey, Lungthung, Lelep. Gola means "market" in the local language. In fact, the name "Olangchung" came from a folklore involving a wolf and a trader. The Gorkha war between Nepal and Tibet was negotiated in this tiny village. The Chogyal of Sikkim, fearing incarceration by British India, went into hiding here, ready to escape into Tibet, though he was captured later. In late 2016, China built a road connection on their side to the border at Tiptala Bhanjyang. In June 2017, Chinese construction crew constructed a dirt track from the border to Olangchung Gola. The funding of was provided by local consumers’ committee. There is no road to the village from the south. In 2019, the Chinese government allocated addition funding to upgrade the road. Olangchung Gola is the last village before crossing the Lumbasumba La pass to the west to the remote village of Thudam along the high Great Himalayan Trail system. There is one lodge for trekkers with camping space in Olangchung Gola.
People
The Walung people are the indigenous inhabitants of the region around Olangchung Gola. They are descended from Tibetan traders and practice Nyingmapa Buddhism. A large monastery, Deki Chholing Gompa, was built 450 years ago sits on top of the village. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 422 people living in 82 individual households. According to 2011 Nepal census 239 people live in 62 individual households.
