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Kathmandu Maps & Attractions Guide
Kathmandu maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Kathmandu
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Kathmandu
Attractions - Things to do
1. Durbar Square
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What is it? Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Durbar Square is the religious and social heart of Kathmandu's old
city and is a complex of palaces, temples, shrines, statues and
courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient
kings of Nepal. The square is a queer assortment of the old and the
new - elaborately carved architectural features and curving roofs
provide shelter for cows, beggars and weary tourists; Brahman
priests and painted Sadhus perform rituals and pose for photos,
while souvenir sellers and rickshaw drivers compete for attention
among the crowds. Stone lions guard the gates to the Old Royal
Palace that contains a number of courtyards and several museums.
Set into the palace wall is a 17th-century stone inscription
written in 15 languages; it is believed that milk will flow from
the spout below if anyone deciphers the entire inscription. On the
other side of the square, the Kasthamandap temple is an open
pavilion topped by a pyramidal tower, said to be created from the
wood of a single tree. It is purportedly the Valley's oldest
building, and the city of Kathmandu derives its name from this
ancient temple.
Hours of Operation: Durbar Square: daily 8am to 5pm. Old Royal Palace:
Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 3/4pm
Phone: |
2. Swayambhunath Stupa
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What is it? The golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu
stupa is adorned with a colourful fluttering of prayer flags; it
crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic
views over the city of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath is one of the most
recognisable symbols in Nepal and the painted eyes of Buddha watch
all who ascend the worn stone steps. It is a World Heritage Site
and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, and is at the
source of the Valley's mythical beginning. Legend has it that the
history of the Valley began with the draining of an ancient lake by
an Enlightened Being to reveal the Valley and a lotus flower was
transformed into the hill and the shining light became the stupa
itself. Swarms of pilgrims and red-clad monks circle the complex,
spinning the prayer wheels, while the scores of monkeys that give
the temple its nickname, Monkey Temple, prance about in irreverent
groups. Interestingly the temple complex is scattered with shrines
and statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities and the assortment of
pilgrims from both faiths characterises the country's unique
religious harmony.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Royal Chitwan National Park
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What is it? Of the 14 national parks and reserves in
Nepal, the Royal Chitwan National Park is the oldest and the most
popular safari destination for visitors. Situated in the
sub-tropical Tarai lowlands, the jungle is home to endangered
animals such as the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal
tiger. Other animals include leopards, wild elephants, Indian
bison, sloth bears, crocodiles, pythons, monitor lizards,
pangolins, and over 400 species of birds. There are different ways
to explore the park, but elephant-back safaris are the most
popular. Jeep safaris, guided walks, overnight jungle expeditions
and canoe trips are also available. There is a wide choice of
accommodation ranging from luxury camps or hotels within the park,
to budget options on the outskirts.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
4. Bhaktapur
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What is it? Lying just 22 miles (35km) east of Kathmandu,
Bhaktapur, also known as the City of Devotees, was the capital of
the Kathmandu Valley during the 14th to 16th centuries, and the
wealth of fabulous architectural showpieces, soaring pagodas,
richly ornamented houses and medieval layout is testament to this
period. The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is
filled with palaces, temples, statues and squares connected by a
maze of largely pedestrian-only streets. The main central square,
Durbar Square, boasts many architectural attractions, including the
Golden Gate, the 15th-century Palace of 55 Windows and several
statues of ancient kings. The second main square of Taumadhi is
presided over by the graceful Nyatpola Temple, the tallest in the
Valley atop a five-story platform. Bhaktapur is also the centre of
traditional pottery and weaving industries in the Kathmandu
Valley.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
5. Pashupatinath
Three miles (5km) east of Kathmandu, in Deopatan
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What is it? One of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the
world, Pashupatinath is one of the major temples devoted to Shiva
(Pashupatinath) on the Indian subcontinent and attracts thousands
of Hindi pilgrims each year. Shiva is the patron deity of Nepal.
The Temple of Pashupatinath stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati
River, a tributary of the Ganges, and is renowned for its beautiful
architecture. It is surrounded by numerous other temples, shrines,
statues and pagodas making it a temple complex, rather than just a
temple. The complex is home to Kathmandu's funeral ghats, a series
of cremation platforms spread along the river where the bodies of
Hindus are burnt and the ashes scattered into the holy river. The
complex swarms with Sadhus (holy Hindi ascetics) and Shiva devotees
daily, meditating and praying on the steps throughout the temple. A
World Heritage Site, Pashupatinath is also one of the richest
temples in Nepal, having received a great deal of wealth from kings
and aristocrats in devotion to the god. The temple buildings are
closed to non-Hindu visitors, but the site can be enjoyed by
all.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
6. Bouddhanath Stupa
Four miles (6km) east of Kathmandu
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What is it? Bouddhanath Stupa is the largest stupa in the
Kathmandu Valley at about 131ft (40m) high, and one of the largest
and most important Buddhist stupas in the world. The all-seeing
red, white and blue eyes of Buddha are painted on all four sides of
the stupa, similar to Swayambhunath, and surrounded by hundreds of
fluttering prayer flags, prayer wheels and small images of Buddha.
It is central to the Tibetan culture in Nepal and is said to date
back 500 years. Buddhist festivals are a hive of activity when
thousands of Buddhists join together to join in the sacred rituals,
such as the Tibetan New Year, or Lhosar, in February every
year.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
7. Changu Narayan Temple
Nine miles (15km) from Kathmandu
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What is it? Dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, Changu
Narayan Temple is situated on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu
Valley, and is one of the oldest and most impressive examples of
pagoda architecture in Nepal. The temple is believed to be 1,600
years old. The complex is a World Heritage Site, and is known for
its incredible wood carvings, metal inscriptions and stone statues,
which adorn the courtyard, all dating between the 5th and 13th
centuries.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Kathmandu Holidays guide
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Transport -The public bus system in Kathmandu is
perhaps best not attempted, unless by the seasoned traveller, as
buses tend to be crowded and unreliable, leaving only when buses
are full to bursting.
More information at the |
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