Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing with your local guide.
It is believed that Kathmandu valley used to be a big lake filled with snakes, until the Manjushri cut a gorge at a place called Kashapaal (later called Chobhar) with a sword called Chandrahrasha and drained away from the waters to establish a habitable land, according to ancient myths and stories. Fast forward to the 20th century Kathmandu is the hustling and bustling capital and the most developed and populated place in Nepal. It has at least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists and there are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Kathmandu Valley has three prominent districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur with many things to offer.

Places to visit in Kathmandu:

• Swayambhunath temple: Watching over the capital from its hilltop vantage point, Swayambhunath Temple stands proudly as one of the nation’s most popular tourist and religious sites. Featuring a white dome topped with an iconic golden spire, the World Heritage-listed temple likely dates back to before the 5th century, when it was already a vital pilgrimage destination. The structure endured the devastation of the 2015 earthquake, its prayer flags continuing to flutter in the breeze. Step inside to see a fusion of Hindu and Buddhist iconography, or try spinning the prayer wheels yourself. The Swayambhunath Stupa (meaning the ‘self-created’ stupa, aka the Monkey Temple) is found on a hilltop to the west of Kathmandu. Second in importance only to the Boudhanath Stupa, the Swayambhunath complex, founded by King Manadeva during the fifth century, contains a stupa, temples, shrines, Tibetan monastery, museum, and library. The Stupa, re-gilded with 20 kilograms of gold in 2010, has a large white dome at its base, above which are painted four sets of Buddha’s eyes and eyebrow; further up the Stupa are found four pentagonal Toran (gateways) and thirteen tiers leading to the Stupa’s golden spire.
• Pashupatinath temple: Built-in 1696 on the orders of King Bhupendra Malla, Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most important Hindu temple. Constructed in the pagoda style of architecture, Pashupatinath stands on the banks of the Bagmati river, has a distinctive gilded rooftop, intricately carved rafters (featuring members of Shiva’s family) and four silver-plated main doors surrounded by statues of deities. Pashupatinath is presided over by priests called Bhattas and a chief priest called Mool Bhatt or Raval. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, though a glimpse of Shiva’s bull, Nandi, can be caught from outside the western entrance. The temple’s exterior and its surrounding buildings are worth a look. Sadhus (Hindu holy men) watch the world go by. Traders hawk marigolds, incense and conch shells. And the riverbanks of the Bagmati river are a popular place for cremations. Whilst the ‘ghats’ in front of the temple were reserved for the cremation of royalty, four other ghats to the south of the nearby bridges are in regular use. There is often a cremation in progress, with a shrouded body lifted on top of a log fire with surprisingly little ceremony. Cremations are followed by ritual bathing in the river.
• Kathmandu durbar square: The construction of royal palaces at this site dates back to as early as the Licchavi period in the third century. Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur Durbar Kshetra) in front of the old royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Durbar Square was surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The Royal Palace was originally at Dattaraya square and was later moved to the Durbar square. The Kathmandu Durbar Square held the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles, revealing courtyards and temples. It is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace.
• Boudhanath: The ancient Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest in the world. This Bauddha stupa was built shortly after the death of Lord Buddha and is the largest single Chhorten in the world. Over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) are built around Boudhanath by the Tibetan Refugees. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner. It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan – thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu (which was a later foundation). Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Bhaktapur, a small town about 10 kilometers from Kathmandu, is famous for its many varied temples. The most impressive is the five-storey Nyatapola Temple on Taumadhi Tole (pictured), the tallest temple in Nepal built-in 1702 during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla. Bhaktapur, which became an independent city-state under King Ananda Malla in the 12th century, also has its own Durbar Square (replete with several temples, including one featuring erotic cows, camels, and elephants!). The northern section of the square is home to the Royal Palace, with visitors able to access the Golden Gate, intricately carved and set into a bright red gatehouse, and the National Art Gallery, with an extensive collection of Tantric cloth paintings. But the town also has a timeless air, with visitors able to see grain laid out to dry in the sun, potters at work in Potters’ square, locals weaving baskets, drying laundry or collecting water, and children playing. Keep an eye out for exquisite architecture as you wander the streets: many buildings feature intricately carved woodwork (such as the famous Peacock window, on an alley leading south-east from the Tachupal Tole).
• Nagarkot and Dhulikhel:
• The tiny settlement of Nagarkot clings to a hilltop 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2195m. / 7200 ft. It is one of the best points in the valley to view the peaks – from the Annapurna and Ganesh Himal. The sunset and sunrise view over the Himalayan panorama from Nagarkot is a memory of a lifetime for many. It is also possible to do a day hike from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel along the valley rim.
• 30 km east of Kathmandu lies the old town of Dhulikhel set on a hilltop, enveloped in copper soiled terraces with magnificent views of the central Himalayan peaks. Dhulikhel has one of the best resorts and an old town similar to the Bhaktapur durbar square. Dhulikhel is well known for its sunrise views and several days trail lead along the north ridge of the town.
• Namo Buddha:
• The pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha is about forty kilometers from the Boudhanath Stupa. Located on slightly elevated land, it is a pleasant and out-of-the-way place. The landscape below resembles an eight-petaled lotus, and the sky above has the form of a wheel with nine spokes. In this wide panorama, some mountains glisten white like a conch shell or a crystal. On other mountains, the groves of trees seem to gleam with emerald and turquoise jewels. In the summertime, southern winds bring coolness; in wintertime, the warm, gentle sun is like the clear and radiant face of youth. The flowers bloom bright and multicolored. In the blue vault of the sky, clouds gently gather and turn all shades of red at daybreak; they are beautiful in wondrous hues that fill space with their canopies and banners. Like a heap of white silk scarves, mists drift slowly from place to place. From the clouds, the drums of thunder resonate; lightning flashes like a slim dancer’s quick movement; and fine showers fall in brightness. In sum, all the harmonious conditions needed to practice samadhi are present at this sacred site. Merely coming here inspires one’s faith; renunciation and weariness with samsara naturally arise. As it is said, “In the supreme place of a solitary mountain retreat, any activity is virtuous.” In brief, Namo Buddha is a place of pilgrimage highly esteemed by people from all over the world, East and West.
• Patan durbar square: Patan Durbar Square is situated in the center of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attractions is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.
• Durbar Square is a marvel of Newa architecture. The Square floor is tiled with red bricks. There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite the western face of the palace. The entrance of the temples faces east, towards the palace. There is also a bell situated in the alignment beside the main temples. The Square also holds old Newari residential houses. There are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square built by the Newa People.
• Kopan Monastery:
• The Kopan Monastery is a gated community of Buddhist monks found on a hilltop north of Boudhanath. Founded by Lamas Thubten Yeshe and Zopa Rinpoche in the early 1970s, the Monastery houses 360 monks in grounds which include an enormous Bodhi tree, the Chenrezig gompa (temple), statues, prayer wheels, prayer flags (at the top of Kopan Hill) and the colorful Thousand Buddha Relic Stupa. The Monastery is twinned with the nearby Khachoe Ghakyil Nunnery. Those visiting should expect to replace the hubbub of central Kathmandu with morning chanting, an evening pooja/puja ceremony (involving pageantry and traditional Tibetan music made from cymbals and large horns), study, silence, peace, and love. The Monastery also offers daily and longer courses in meditation and yoga provide panoramic views over the Kathmandu valley, has an immaculately kept garden and great gift shop and café. Just beware of the monkeys.