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Kathmandu Travel Guide
Exploring the Heart of Nepal: A Travel Guide to Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, known for its rich culture and history. Located in the Kathmandu Valley, it is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain range and is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic Durbar Square and the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.
As a travel destination, Kathmandu offers a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern amenities. Visitors can explore the city's vibrant markets, sample delicious local cuisine, and visit a variety of temples, shrines, and museums.
One of the most popular attractions in Kathmandu is Durbar Square, which was once the seat of the ancient Nepalese royal family. The square is home to several important temples and palaces, including the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and the Temple of Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal.
Another must-see attraction in Kathmandu is the Swayambhunath Temple, also known as the "Monkey Temple" due to the large population of monkeys that live there. Located on a hilltop overlooking the city, this sacred Buddhist site offers stunning views and is an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from around the world.
In addition to its many cultural attractions, Kathmandu also offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as trekking, mountain biking, and rafting. The city is a popular starting point for treks to the nearby Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest.
When it comes to accommodation, Kathmandu has a wide range of options to suit all budgets. From luxury hotels and resorts to budget guesthouses and hostels, there is something to suit every traveler.
Overall, Kathmandu is a fascinating destination that offers a unique blend of ancient history and modern amenities. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's rich culture, taking part in outdoor activities, or simply relaxing and enjoying the scenery, Kathmandu has something for everyone.
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MAKE AN ENQUIRYBest Places To Visit In Kathmandu
From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Kathmandu.
Durbar Square
Of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu is one of the most visited in terms of tourists. Kathmandu Durbar Square and the other two at Bhaktapur and Patan are three of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the Kathmandu Valley. Durbar Chowk once served as the courtyard of the royal palace. Years later, the coronation of the kings of the valley used to take place here. All the various festivals and ceremonies organized under the king's rule were also celebrated here. In a sense, Nepal's courtiers are the bearers of the age-old heritage that the country has seen and experienced. To this day, this place is the most remarkable legacy of the traditional architecture of Kathmandu. Even though the unfortunate earthquake of 2015 took its toll on the building and nearly half a dozen places within the campus collapsed, it has retained its original glory. The three squares – a former elephant stable Basantpur Square, the main Durbar Square to the west and the other part of the Durbar Square containing the entrance to the Hanuman Dhoka, which are loosely connected, form the Durbar Square area.
Kopan Monastery
To the north of the ancient Buddhist town of Boudhanath is Kopan Hill which houses the Kopan Monastery. This is a natural landscape just outside Kathmandu where the Mystic Monastery is run and managed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The place is popular among foreign tourists for its meditation retreats and various other courses. Visitors are welcome to explore the monastery and take part in an early morning meditation session. The air around the monastery is clean and the view is simply magical. More than 350 monks, lamas, teachers and workers live in the holy place.
Kumari Bahal
Kumari Bahl, the palace where the virgin resides while she is the chosen goddess, is a beautiful ancient palace. It is a three-storied traditional structure built of wood and red bricks with intricately carved windows, doors and balconies that closely resemble a Buddhist vihara. The structure was built by Jai Prakash Malla in the mid-1700s and also houses a stupa with symbols of Goddess Saraswati and a huge chariot that is used to carry Kumari around the city during the annual festival of Indra Jatra. is done.
Asan Tole
Asan Toll is a famous market street in Asan city of Kathmandu. The six-pointed square of the street is always crowded with people selling everything from vegetables and fish to clothes, jewelery and spices. This tour allows you to experience the hustle and bustle of the ancient streets of Asan Toll and Indra Chowk bazaars while learning about its history and the culture of the Nepalese people. We visit market stalls, temple shrines and hidden courtyards. You can sample the local fare, try your hand at bartering with the locals or simply soak in the atmosphere and photograph a truly magical part of Kathmandu.
Boudhanath Stupa
The center of Tibetan culture and Buddhist symbolism, Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa in Asia and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple located outside Tibet. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, where thousands of devotees come daily to perform the dome ritual under the watchful eyes of Lord Buddha, the stupa is believed to have been founded between 590-604 CE by the Nepalese Lichchavi king Evadev . Boudhanath Stupa has acquired many names throughout the years including Buddha Stupa, Chorten Chempo, Chaitya, Jarung Khashor and Khasti. The entire complex of the stupa has 50 Tibetan monasteries, known as gompas, which have been serving as shelters for Tibetan refugees since 1959.
Budhanilkantha Temple
Budhanilkantha Temple is an open-air temple situated at the foothills of Shivpuri Hill in Kathmandu Valley. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has an extraordinary idol of the presiding deity who is seen in a reclining posture in a pool of water. It is the largest stone statue in Nepal which not only attracts devotees but also tourists in large numbers.
Garden Of Dreams In Kathmandu
The Garden of Dreams is located in the heart of the city of Kathmandu, Nepal. Garden of Dreams, Kathmandu is a neoclassical garden with a rich history. Covered with natural beauty, this place is considered peaceful amidst the crowded Kathmandu city. If you want to take some time out from your busy and hectic schedule and work life to attain inner peace then you can visit this place. Garden of Dreams is a major tourist destination. A huge number of people visit this wonderful place every day. The Garden of Dreams is also known as Swapna Garden and is made up of famous enclosures and pavilions.
Hanuman Dhoka
Hanuman Dhoka is located in Durbar Square in the heart of the city of Kathmandu, Nepal. Established during the 4th to 8th centuries, Hanuman Dhoka is the royal palace in Kathmandu. This vastly extended space is one of the most amazing sights in the region. It is a complex of other structures such as the royal palace of the Malla kings and the Shah dynasty and is spread over an area of ​​about five acres. Hanuman Dhoka Palace takes its name from the standing stone statue of Hanuman which has been present on the east side of the main entrance since 1672. 'Dhoka' means 'door or gate' in Nepali. This place sees a huge number of footfalls by tourists and locals every day.
Langtang National Park
Langtang National Park is spread over an area of ​​1710 sq km and is spread over Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchowk districts. This oldest Himalayan National Park was established in 1976. In addition, the park was extended to 420 km of buffer zone in 1998. It is also the fourth protected area of ​​Nepal. It is also a part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. The region is famous among trekkers for its trekking routes.
Narayanhiti Palace
Located to the east of the famous Kaiser Mahal near Thamel, the Narayanhiti Palace Museum is a former royal palace that was home to the kings of Nepal. It is historically significant because of the 2001 'murder of the royal family'. The stunning museum displays the old furniture, art pieces, jewelry of the royal family and the lavish lifestyle that once adorned the court hall of the exquisite palace. Things will become very clear when you visit Narayanhiti Palace and Museum. Full of meeting rooms and 1970s glamour, the palace boasts opulent interiors. This place is known for the beauty of its museum.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath is the grand Hindu temple situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati river in the capital of Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is the largest temple complex in Nepal and is said to have been built in the 5th century. The main temple has a pagoda style architectural building with gilded roof and is surrounded by fine quality silver and wood carvings. The temple complex is huge and houses many other Hindu and Buddhist temples. The temple complex and its surroundings are places of religious and cultural mix. This important Hindu pilgrimage center is one of the most visited places in Nepal and attracts hundreds and thousands of tourists from India and Nepal due to its religious importance. Pashupatinath Temple is also one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley.
Swayambhunath Temple
Situated on the top of the Semgu hill, on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley to the west, the Swayambhu Mandir temple is one of the most important religious shrines in the city of Kathmandu. With a white dome stupa and a series of temples, this place attracts people every day. It is a common practice among pilgrims to circumnavigate the temple in a clockwise direction as it is believed to wash away all sins. The sanctum sanctorum is one of the holiest sites among Buddhists and Tibetans and second only to Lord Buddha for them.
Taudaha Lake
Located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Todaha Lake is a famous freshwater lake surrounded by hills covered with dense forests. The lake is full of fish and is also a bird watcher's paradise due to the migratory birds in the area. It is a common practice among pilgrims to circumambulate the temple in a clockwise direction as it is believed to wash away all sins.
Phulchowki
Rich in natural resources, Nepal is fascinated by its natural beauty. Among all the popular destinations, Phulchowki is one of them. It is heart-warming to visit Phulchowki in Lalitpur, which is important from the point of view of tourism. Phulchowki is the highest hill situated in the Kathmandu Valley (2791 m) which is known for its hike. The mountain is covered with a natural park full of beautiful wild roses, yellow jasmine, iris and other native flowers. The climb through the rough terrain covered with dense forests will be worth it to reach the top one after the other and witness the breathtaking view of the valley.
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