Kathmandu, sometimes referred to as the “city of temples,” is located in central Nepal’s bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley at a height of roughly 1,400 metres above sea level. The valley is where the Newar people live and has been referred to historically as “Nepal Mandala”. The palaces, residences, and gardens of the Nepalese aristocracy can be found in the royal capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. Since 1985, it has served as the location of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) headquarters. It is now the administrative centre of the 2008-founded Nepalese republic, which is a part of the Bagmati province.
The heart of Nepal’s history, art, culture, and economics is Kathmandu, and it has been for a very long time. Hindus and Buddhists make up the majority of the population, which is multiethnic. The lives of those who reside in Kathmandu are heavily influenced by religious and cultural celebrations. The economy depends heavily on the tourism industry. In 2013, Kathmandu was named first in Asia and third overall among the world’s top ten up-and-coming vacation destinations.
When to go: September to November.
Take a flight to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport or a taxi from India to get there. Buses run to Kathmandu from Patna, Varanasi, Darjeeling, and Gorakhpur.
- Pashupatinath Temple
Approximately 5 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu, in the eastern portion of the Kathmandu Valley, is the Pashupatinath Temple, a well-known and revered Hindu temple complex. Pashupatinath is housed in the temple. In 1979, this temple complex was included to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. This “extensive Hindu temple precinct” is one of the seven monument groups in the Kathmandu Valley designated by UNESCO as a place to visit. It is a “sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images, and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river.” This is one of the top destinations in Kathmandu for pilgrims.
- Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath is a stupa in Kathmandu that is situated approximately 11 km from the city’s centre and northeastern suburbs. The stupa is one of the biggest spherical stupas in Nepal due to its enormous mandala. This is one of the top attractions in Kathmandu for Nepali tourists.
Third Thamel Thamel is a business district in Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. Since the hippie era, when many artists visited Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel, Thamel has been the focus of the tourism sector in Kathmandu for more than 40 years. Within the Kathmandu valley, it is the most popular tourist destination. This is one of the top destinations in Kathmandu for shoppers.
- Swayambhunath Temple
The ancient holy structure Swayambhu is perched atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu. Because there are so many different kinds of trees on the hill, the site’s Tibetan name translates to “Sublime Trees.” Shing.kun, which means “self-sprung,” may really be a corruption of the complex’s native Nepalese Bhasa name, Swayambhu. It is likely the most sacred of all Buddhist pilgrimage places for the Buddhist Newars, whose mythological history, origin myth, and daily religious practise Swayambhunath occupies a central role. It is second only to Boudha in importance to Tibetans and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kathmandu for pilgrims.
- The Garden of Dreams
Kishore Narshingh designed the 6,895 square metres of grounds, which include three belvederes, an amphitheatre, ponds, flies, and coffins. It fell into seediness following the death of its patron, Kaiser Sumsher Rana, in the middle of the 1960s, but was lately repaired with support from the Austrian government. This is one of the main sightseer spots in Kathmandu for individualities who like flowers.
- Hanuman Dhoka
In the Durbar Square of the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal, there is a complex of buildings called Hanuman Dhoka that includes the Royal Palaces of the Shah and Malla dynasties. It occupies a five-acre area. The stone statue of the Hindu god Hanuman that is located next to the main entrance gave the Hanuman Dhoka Palace (Hanuman Dhoka Darbar in Nepali) its name. Nepali for “door” or “gate” is “dhoka.” For those who love religion, this is one of the best locations to see in Kathmandu.
- Indra Chowk
Indra Chowk is a historically significant market district in Kathmandu that is teeming with vibrant stores and vendors. There are numerous locations to buy fresh produce, savoury spices, and textiles. Additionally, there is a specialty market offering beads, bangles, and other decorations for traditional Nepali weddings. Among the temples are Aakash Bhairav, which is defended by lion statues, and Seto Machhendranath, which has elaborate wood carvings. Fried momo dumplings are sold at street food stalls. For foodies, this is one of the top destinations in Kathmandu.
- Kopan Monastery
The Kopan hill, visible for miles, rises out of the terraced fields of the Kathmandu valley just to the north of the historic Buddhist town of Boudhanath. It previously served as the residence of the king of Nepal’s astrologer, and is dominated by a beautiful bodhi tree. The Gelug tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism, led by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is practised at Kopan Monastery, which is now located on the same hill. The valley view is spectacular, and the air is clear. For Buddhist tourists, this is one of the top destinations in Kathmandu.
- Phulchowki
The Phulchowki hill, which in Nepali means “Hill of Flowers,” is the tallest hill in the Kathmandu valley at a height of 2782 metres. People use bicycles or hikes to get to the peak. It must be on the list of exciting locations to see while in Kathmandu.
- Kumari Ghar
In Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions, it is customary to worship young prepubescent girls as embodiments of the divine female energy or devi, known as Kumari, Kumari Devi, or Living Goddess—Nepal. Typically, on holidays like Navaratri or Durga Puja, a Kumari is selected for a single day and worshipped as such. This is a practise that is particularly common in the Kathmandu Valley. It is thought that Taleju manifested as a Kumari. Visit the Kumari Ghar at Basantapur, where she dwells, and you could be lucky enough to see this Goddess there. If you go in late August or early September, you might be able to witness the intriguing celebration known as Indra Jatra, in which the Living Goddess Kumari is taken from her house and driven by a giant chariot through the winding streets of ancient Kathmandu.
- Narayanhiti Palace
The palace in Kathmandu known as Narayanhiti Palace, also known as Narayanhiti Durbar, was once the house and main office of the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal. In 2008, it was converted into the Narayanhiti Palace Museum. The palace, which located in Kathmandu’s capital, served as the venue for official events and royal hospitality. For history buffs, this is one of the top spots to see in Kathmandu.
- Dakshinkali Temple
One of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal, Dakshinkali Temple, also known as Dakshin Kali Temple, is dedicated to the goddess Kali and is situated 22 kilometres outside of Kathmandu and roughly 1 km outside the village of Pharping. The primary manner that the goddess is worshipped is through animal sacrifices, particularly those of cockerels and uncastrated male goats, and this is especially evident during the Dashain festival.
- Lake Taudaha
A tiny lake on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, is called Taudaha Lake. The name is a fusion of the Newari words “Ta,” which means snake, and “Daha,” which means lake. For those who value peace, this is one of the nicest spots to visit in Kathmandu.