Reposted by literary figure Fiersa Besari with the caption “a hidden gem bookstore near Jakarta”  which, technically, is a seven-hour flight away, the video racked up 39,400 saves and 30,300 shares. People weren't just watching. They were planning trips. 

What Is Pilgrims Book House ?

Pilgrims Book House is a publishing and bookselling company founded in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1984 by Puspa and Rama Nand Tiwari. The main shop sits in Thamel  Kathmandu's tourist and cultural hub  right next to the famous Kathmandu Guest House. For many years it was one of the largest bookshops in Asia, with hundreds of thousands of books on display, and was praised by Lonely Planet as "Kathmandu's best bookstore."

It's not just a place to buy books. Walk in and you're hit with the smell of old paper, incense drifting in from the street, and the quiet shuffle of travelers flipping through Himalayan travel guides. Beyond books, the store features an antique section, a clothing area, a music corner, and handmade crafts  making it a full cultural destination in one building. 

Why Did It Go Viral in Indonesia?

The video hit something real. In the comment section of Fiersa Besari's repost, one user asked why he still reads books in 2025. His reply became the most-liked comment on the post with 7,600 hearts:"In a country where literacy isn't at its best, it's worth being among those who choose books over social media."

That line alone explains the 39,400 saves. It wasn't just wanderlust. It was a values statement.

What Kind of Books Can You Find There?

The collection is especially strong in Nepal, spirituality, culture, religion, English classics, and travel guides. For anyone interested in Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga, occultism, or Himalayan mountaineering, reviewers call it one of the best bookstores in the world on those subjects. There are also vintage maps, Himalayan music recordings, and documentary DVDs — the kind of things you genuinely cannot find on a screen.The counterintuitive part? Prices are fixed, meaning no bargaining required  unusual for Thamel, where negotiation is practically a sport. 

Is It Worth a Trip from Indonesia?

Direct flights from Jakarta to Kathmandu run around 5–7 hours. Nepal visa on arrival is available for Indonesian passport holders. And if you're the kind of person who saved that TikTok — you probably already have a tab open.

"I come here every time I visit Kathmandu. The back of the shop is like a treasury cave." — TripAdvisor reviewer