The main reason to base yourself in Gorakhpur is as a stepping stone to the Buddhist circuit. Kushinagar, where the Buddha attained parinirvana (final passing), is only about 50 km to the east and makes an easy day trip or overnight.
The Nepal border crossing at Sunauli (Sonauli) is roughly 2.5 hours by bus and is the main overland gateway for travellers heading to Pokhara or Kathmandu.
