The short answer
Chowgan landing field: what visitors should know first
Yes, and it is the easiest Bir Billing experience for any age. Go late afternoon, when most flights come down, sit at a café near the fields and watch landings without any climb, queue or risk.
History and context
The story behind Chowgan landing field
The landing fields lie at Chowgan, the village that also holds the Bir Tibetan Colony on its western side. The colony began in the early 1960s, long before paragliding arrived, and the open ground on its edge later became the standard landing area for flights from Billing.
Useful facts
Chowgan landing field facts at a glance
- Location
- Chowgan, western edge of the Bir Tibetan Colony
- Experience type
- Free to watch; flights sold separately
- Best time
- Afternoons in clear weather, mainly Sept to Nov
- Nearby
- Tibetan Colony cafés and monasteries
- Access
- Flat ground, short walk from the colony lanes
Why it matters
Why Chowgan landing field is worth your time
The landing field is where Bir Billing makes sense to people who are not pilots. Billing takes off at about 2,400 m, and the glide ends on the flat ground of Chowgan, on the south-western edge of Bir at roughly 1,400 to 1,500 m. Seeing the whole descent happen above the roofs of a Tibetan settlement is the picture that put the village on the map.
It also shows how sport and community share a small place. The fields sit beside the Tibetan Colony, where monasteries, the Tibetan school and guesthouses operate beside the paragliding trade. For older travellers or families with young children it is the safest and most relaxed way to enjoy the sport without leaving the village.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Spiral landings
Pilots lose height in loose spirals above the colony before touching down on the open fields.
- 02
Café viewing
Cafés near the landing site let you watch with a drink and a seat rather than standing in the sun.
- 03
Colony beyond the field
The field backs onto the Tibetan Colony, so monasteries and prayer wheels are a short stroll away.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Arrive at the fields in the mid-afternoon and find a seat in one of the cafés that overlook or sit near them. Several places in this part of the Tibetan Colony, including June16 Cafe and Silver Linings Cafe, are described by local guides as being close to the landing site. Order tea or lunch and let the sky do the work. Pilots circle down in loose spirals and come in over the field, often within minutes of each other, and the pattern is easy to follow with the naked eye.
The quality of the view depends on conditions. In clear, dry weather in autumn the sky can be busy for hours; in cloud, wind or rain there may be nothing at all. Ask your guesthouse or any operator whether flying is on that day before you walk over, and do not treat a quiet afternoon as a failure, because landings are paused when conditions turn unsafe.
If you decide you want to fly after watching, speak to an operator here rather than a tout on the road. Ask the same questions you would at Billing: pilot experience, glider age and the reserve parachute. Then walk back through the colony, past the prayer wheels and the small shops, at an easy pace.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Check with your guesthouse that flying is on that day
- Sit at a café rather than standing in the landing area
- Keep children and pets away from the marked landing zone
- Take sun protection, as the field has little shade
- Walk on to the monasteries in the colony afterwards
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Chowgan, western edge of the Tibetan Colony, Bir
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Best time
- Mid to late afternoon in the flying season (about September to November) when clear weather brings pilots down in numbers
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The ground is flat and the cafés nearby offer seats, so this suits older visitors well. Stay clear of the landing zone itself, keep children close, and be alert for pilots coming in low.
- Tickets and access
- Watching is free. Tandem landings and flights are sold separately by operators. Keep out of the marked landing area and follow any instructions from staff.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Chowgan landing field
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The ground is flat and the cafés nearby offer seats, so this suits older visitors well. Stay clear of the landing zone itself, keep children close, and be alert for pilots coming in low.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Do I need a ticket to watch landings?
No. The fields are open to watch, but stay out of the marked landing area and follow staff instructions. Flights themselves are booked with operators.
When are most paragliders landing?
Typically afternoons in clear weather, mainly during the September to November flying season. Pilots do not fly when conditions are unsafe.
Is it good for older relatives?
Yes. The ground is flat and cafés nearby provide seats, so it is the easiest part of Bir Billing to enjoy.
Sources and further reading
- Bir Billing guide: paragliding
- Wikipedia: Bir Tibetan Colony
- The Tribune: paragliding returns to Bir Billing
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
