Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley is also known as Nepal Valley historically and also one of the old ancient civilization in the world. It is bowl-shaped and it covered 570 sq. km. It height 1400 meters above from sea level. Kathmandu valley includes the Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur district combine. In Kathmandu valley alone, more 4 million lived it and the capital city of Nepal. Kathmandu Valley has more than 100 important monuments and also several pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists. Kathmandu Valley is home of seven world heritage sites which is densely occupied within 15 sq. km.
Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and populated place in Nepal having more than 4 million. It is also economic powerhouse of Nepal which output one-third of GDP alone or around $6.5 billions. When you visiting Kathmandu, Nepal, You must visit these places. You loved when this cultural heritage and century-old temples and stupa with your own eyes.
- Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal, located at the east of Kathmandu. It is major landmark cultural heritage site in Kathmandu valley.
Boudhanath is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Boudhanath is 36 meters tall which is one of the largest stupas in South Asia. Boudha Stupa is listed at 1979 on UNESCO World Heritage site.
Boudhanath Stupa (Picture by Nabin K. Sapkota)
- Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa aka Monkey Temple is one of the major heritage sites in Kathmandu city. It is also known as Monkey Temple.
It is located atop in the hill of northwest of the Kathmandu Valley. The words Swayambhu means “Self-Created” and also believe that this religious site exists more than 2000 years ago. There are comprises of the main stupa, many shires, monastery, temples, museum and library. From the Swayambhu stupa, we can see the panoramic views of Kathmandu city. The hanging the colorful prayer flags over the stupa is stunning sight and It feels to calm suddenly in your body.
Swayambhunath aka Monkey Temple
- Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath temple is one of the sacred temples in the world for Hindu people. It is located on the banks of Bagmati River, north-east of Kathmandu in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley. It was built in 5th century by Kama Dev and later renovated by Malla Kings. The main temple only for Hindu people, not for other religions. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. During the Maha Shivaratri festival, more than 1 million devotees visit the Pashupatinath temple.
Panoramic view of Pashupatinath temple (pic by Laxman Thapa )
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is situated right in the heart of Kathmandu. This Durbar square is also known as Hanuman Dhoka or Basantapur Durbar square. This historical rich of cultural, religious with commercial value. It was built during Malla kings. The major attraction of Kathmandu Durbar square are Kasthamandap, Kumari Bahal, Gaddi Baithak, Maru Ganesh, Mahadev temple, Kal Bhairav, Taleju temple, Mul Chowk, Nasal Chowk, Manju Deval and Museum inside the palace. Kasthamandap and Trailokya Mohan Narayan Temple was completely destroyed by earthquake of 25th April, 2015. But Nepal Government currently working on rebuilding the destroy heritage temple and structure in Durbar square. You can the most beautiful wood carving on every temple. It is worth to visit having more than 500 years old temples and heritage.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar square is located in the heart of Patan city, It is one of the three Durbar squares in the Kathmandu Valley which is also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This Durbar square construction began around 14th to 18th centuries during the Malla Kings period. You can see the most visually stunning Newari architecture in Nepal. The major attraction of Patan Durbar Square is Krishna Temple, Patan Museum, Golden Window, Mahaboudha Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Sundari Chowk, Mul Chowk, Keshab Narayan Chowk, Patan Museum, Bhimsen Mandir Temple, Vishwanath temple, Jagan Narayan Temple (Destroyed), Hari Shankar Temple(Destroyed). Nepal Government is working on restoring the destory temple in Patan Durbar Square by Earthquake 2015.
Patan Durbar Square
Pic by Shaouraav Shreshtha
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
In Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur Durbar square is the most beautiful Durbar square in Nepal. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the Bhaktapur, which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu. It is magnificent spacious durbar square, where you can see the beautiful clay work by potter.
The major attraction of Bhaktapur Durbar Square is 55 window palace, Vatsala Temple, Nyatapola Temple, Bhairav Nath Temple, Golden Gate, Mini Pashupatinath Temple. It is one of the beautiful and cleanest durbar square and also highest tourist visit among durbar square in Kathmandu Valley. You can see spectacular view of 16th century of heritage, temples, palaces and also you see the fine wood craving in the durbar square.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Picture by Rabs003/ Wikipedia
- Changu Narayan Temple
Changu Narayan temple is located on a high hilltop, place called Changu. The temple is located in Changu Narayan village of Bhaktapur district. It is around 22 km away from Kathmandu. It is believed that Changu Narayan Temple is Nepal’s oldest temple, built in 3rd century by King Mandev, lichchavi king. It is two-tiered pagoda style. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. You can the spectacular view of different type of sculptors and craving of stones, wood and metal inside temples area.
Changu Narayan Temple
- Nagarkot
Nagarkot is located 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur district. It is famous for sightseeing of himalayan views from our hotel balcony. You can see magnificent views of the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Jugal, Rolwaling, Everest and Number himalaya but thanks to rapidly changing weather, you cannot see this himalaya. The best view seasons are March to April and October to December.
View of the valley and the mountain range to the north-east of Nagarkot in the very early morning.
Credit: Alexrr123/Wikipedia
- Visit Thamel
Thamel is commercial hub for tourist, center in Kathmandu valley. Over more than 90 per cent of tourists visit this place. It is hotspot area for tourism industry. This bustling area having more than 200 hotels, pubs, lounge, restaurants, and also handcraft shop. It is worth to visit this area. You can buy handicraft item from it as souvenir to loved one.
Thamel (PC: Robert Brands)
For the entrance fee information of this cultural heritage, you can check on this website: https://www.welcomenepal.com/plan-your-trip/heritage-site-entry-fees.html
We can do Kathmandu Valley sightseeing for details. You can contact us at https://www.royalmountaintrekking.com/site/contact