Home/Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia and has at least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrims sites for Hindus and Buddhists. There are seven world heritage sites within the valley:

- Pashupatinath temple: Pashupatinath temple is a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, 5 km north-east of Kathmandu valley in the eastern city of Kathmandu. This temple is considered one of the most sacred temple of Hindu faith. The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. The temple complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list since 1979. One of the major festivals celebrated at the temple is Maha Shivaratri, on which day over 700,000 devotees visit here.

- Boudhanath stupa: Boudha stupa is one of the most famous Buddhist temple and most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area. Also known as Bouddhanath or Baudhanath or the Khasa Caitya stupa, it is 36 metres (118 ft) high. Located about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

- Bhakatapur Dabar square: Bhaktapur Durbar square is located 13 km east from Kathmandu. It is one of three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. It is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples, mostly dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artworks. Bhaktapur is also known as Bhadgoan. The main attractions are 55 window palace, Golden Gate, Lion's Gate, Mini Pashupati Temple, Batsala Temple, Statue of Bhupatindra , Malla Temples.

- Latitpur (Patan) Dabar square: Lalitpur, located 7 km from Kathmandu valley, is very famous for Hindu and Buddhist temples with lots of god and goddess statutes. It is a small dictrict of Nepal and is one of three districts in Kathmandu Valley. Patan is the district headquarter of Lalitpur and covers an area of 385 km². Patan city was founded in the 3rd century AD, by King Veera Dev and has the finest Newari crafts. Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of three Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley, all of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attraction is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. Patan is one of the oldest known Buddhist cities. It is a center of both Hinduism and Buddhism with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Most of these structures are in the vicinity of the Durbar Square: Changu Narayan temple, Swayambunath (monkey temple) and Hanuman Doka Dabar square.

Kathmandu Valley is the most developed and populated place in Nepal. The majority of offices and headquarters are located in the valley, making it the economic hub of Nepal. It is popular with tourists for its unique architecture, and rich culture that includes the highest number of jatras (street festivals) in Nepal.