Phakding used to be the source of white micaceous clay which was used to
whitewash house walls. And this is what the word Phakding means. Today it is
where most trekkers stay on their way to Namche and for good reason. Across
the bridge on the western side of the Dudh Koshi River, there is the
Pemachholing Gompa which is one of the most important gompas in Khumbu. It is
popularly known as Gumela Gompa and the 20 minutes it takes to reach there is
totally worth it.