Places to visit in Kathmandu


Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and also its largest metropolis. Home to over a million inhabitants, the ancient town is one of the most fascinating places to to visit in the Indian Subcontinent. Located at an elevation of approx. 1400 metres, in the bowl-shaped valley surrounded by four major hills, it symbolises all that is Nepal. Been witness to various ruling dynasties, Kathmandu has a unique characteristic culture and heritage. Besides fascinating sightseeing, there are ancient markets that deal in handicrafts and the Newari cuisine.

Rooted deep in ancient myths, the town has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Durbar Square is one of the seven monument zones that centuries-old structures that have survived the ravage of time. The Swayambhunath Temple, approximately 2000 years old is perched on a hillock on the south-western edge of the city. The revered stupa offers a glimpse into the heritage as well as beautiful views of the panorama. The Pashupatinath Temple located on the western banks of the Bagmati River is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages in the world.  Boudhanath Stupa is claimed to be the largest Buddhist stupa in the world with a base of 82 meters in diameter is a holy shrine to visit.

On a visit to Kathmandu, there are other must visit places. Bhaktapur is the medieval city of Newars, still following age old traditions and customs. Patan, located on the southern banks of the Bagmati River is believed to be the first settlement in the Valley. In its centuries of existence is has been under the patronages of the Kirat, Lichivi and Malla kings and has become home to many beautifully carved temples, palace courtyards, public baths and houses of elaborate wood, stone and metal carvings.

Amid the centuries-old legacy, Kathmandu is bustling with modern charms. Tourists have vibrant markets to explore, delicious cuisines to try, casinos to try their luck and so much more. The getaway to other places to visit in Nepal also makes the capital city worth exploring.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath Stupa

Sawayambhunath - The monkey temple, with its commanding views of Kathmandu, its whitewashed stupas and its unique synthesis of Buddhist and Hindu religions.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square - a number of interesting pagodas and Indian style temples (Sikhara), the House of Kumari (the living Goddess) and the Kasthamandap (or wooden house which is the origin of the word Kathmandu) and many more things to see.

Hanuman Dhoka

Hanuman Dhoka

Hanuman Dhoka – a temple complex in the middle of the old city. Built during the Malla period, the area consists of a number of different monuments & image of Lord Hanumana.

Boudhnath Stupa

Boudhnath Stupa

Boudhnath - it is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many of them decided to live around Bouddhanath. They established many gompas, and the "Little Tibet" of Nepal was born.

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur - The most attractive tourist spot in this grotesque city is the Durbar Square. The Golden Gate in the square, with its intricately carved deities and monsters is one of the most richly carved gates of its kind in the world. The gate leads to the Palace of 55 windows, which has a balcony with 55 windows wand is a masterpiece of woodcarving. The stone temple of Batsala Devi at the square is a beautiful example of the Shikharal style of architecture. The temple also has a colossal bell on the terrace called the ‘Bell of the Barking Dogs’. A magnificent statue of King Bhupantindra Malla praying has been placed in the column facing the palace. Bhakatapur's second main square is Taumadhi Tole, which is home to Nyatapola, the highest temple in the valley and Til Mahadev Narayan, an important place of pilgrimage. At Taumadhi Tole, you can also find Potters' Square, where thousands of clay pots are made and sold. East of Taumadihi Tole, through narrow snaking streets of the old city centre, lies Tachupal Tole, another square containing temples and monasteries and a number of craft museums.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple

The Pashupatinath Temple is a famous and sacred Hindu temple complex that is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, approximately 5 km north-east of Kathmandu in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal. The temple serves as the seat of Pashupatinath. This temple complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list in 1979. This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river" and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu Valley as visit here. The temple is one of the 275 Tamil Paadal Petra Sthalams on the continent. Kotirudra Samhita, Chapter 11 on the Shivalingas of the North, in Shiva Purana mentions this Shivalinga as the bestower of all wishes. 

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square

Patan - - The stunning Durbar Square here is anotherUNESCO World Heritage Site and despite the earthquake remains the finestcollection of temples and palaces in Nepal. Top sights here include theintricately carved Krishna Mandir Temple which dates back to 1637 and theGolden Temple with its beautiful gilt metal frontage.

Garden of Dreams

Garden of Dreams

The Garden of Dreams, also, the Garden of Six Seasons, is a neo-classical garden in Kaiser Mahal Kathmandu, Nepal, built in 1920. Designed by Kishore Narshingh, it consists of 6,895 square metres of gardens with three pavilions, an amphitheater, ponds, pergolas, and urns. From the mid-1960s, upon the death of its patron, Kaiser Sumsher Rana, it lay in neglect but was recently restored with the help of the Austrian government