Ice Cap Adventure on January 14, 2020
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. There are so many great places to visit in Kathmandu since the place has been the center of Nepal’s art, history, and culture for many centuries. The Kathmandu valley includes the towns of Bhaktapur and Lalitpur and has a total population of about five million. It can be a loud, busy, and dusty day in Kathmandu, but there’s a good chance that you will love the historic places here. There are so many interesting places in Kathmandu that would never make you bored. And when you travel to Nepal you should spend at least a few days in Kathmandu. You can visit Nepal, especially Kathmandu, since it is Visit Nepal 2020.
Kathmandu is rich in cultural value as it has so many Buddhist and Hindu temples, like Boudhanath and Pashupati temple. There are also seven world heritage sites to visit in Kathmandu. We have put together a list of the best places to visit in Kathmandu.
Situated at a distance of 7 kilometers from the center of Thamel, Boudhanath is among the largest stupas in the world. The stupa was said to have been built around 600AD. In 1979, Boudhanath Stupa was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are gompas which are stupa houses in Boudha. These gompas have been giving shelters to Tibetan refugees since 1959.
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu Temples in Nepal. The temple is situated at the bank of the sacred Bagmati River on the eastern side of the capital city Kathmandu. This magnificent temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Many people from neighboring countries come to offer their prayers and seek blessings from him. In 1979, this magnificent temple was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This temple is located on the top of Semgu Hill, located on the outskirts to the west of Kathmandu Valley. It has a white dome stupa and an array of shrines, which draw people to it daily. This sanctum is one of the holiest places for Buddhists and Tibetans. Swayambhunath Temple, also known as Monkey Temple, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a beautiful site that provides some of the best views of Kathmandu, with basically 360-degree views.
Thamel has been one of the most popular areas of Kathmandu city. Be it cultural monuments, cozy restaurants, or magnificent temples, it is rich in every aspect. This area is usually for tourists, and the goods sold here are a little bit pricey, but they are worth the price. If you want to buy anything, Thamel is the perfect place for you to buy the accessories you need. Many travel agencies in Thamel can help you explore this district for the first time. Thamel is one of the few places with no shortage of vehicles, including cycle rickshaws, taxis, bicycles, and two-wheelers. Thamel is also known best for its restaurants, cuisines, and services.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar squares in Nepal. Until today, Kathmandu Durbar Square remains one of the most remarkable legacies of Kathmandu’s traditional architecture. Even though it collapsed to a certain extent in 2015 due to the earthquake, it still hasn’t lost its touch. Basantapur Square, the main Durbar square to the west, and another Durbar square that harbors the entrance to Hanuman Dhoka are loosely connected to make up Durbar Square. Even though Durbar Square is not used for coronation, it is used by locals during festivals like Dashain, Indra Jatra, Gaijatra, and Macchindranath Jatra.
It is also referred to as the ‘Swapna Bagecha’ built by Kishore Narshingh in 1920. The Garden of Dreams is the perfect place in Kathmandu, which is a peaceful getaway from the busy city and its hustles. The Garden of Dreams was created in the early 1920s as a way for locals and tourists to relax the body and soul. Since Kathmandu is one of the most populated cities, you can refresh yourself in this garden with green grass and ponds with lilies and lush trees. Having this garden in the middle of Kathmandu is like a paradise in the city. This garden is very beautiful, with its magnificent amphitheater, urns, gorgeous pavilions, paved perimeter paths, pergolas, and ponds.
One of the lesser-visited monasteries is quite a hidden gem. Kopan Monastery sits above the city of Kathmandu, providing amazing views of Kathmandu. It is a stunning Tibetan Buddhist monastery established between the late 1960s and early 1970s. Many tourists come here for relaxation and meditation. The architecture of the Kopan Monastery is so beautiful that it attracts people to visit. Kopan Monastery is unique in style and one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu.
Kumari Devi is known as a living goddess in Kathmandu. Kumari Bahal is a place where Kumari lives while she is chosen as Devi. It is a beautiful ancient place that has a three-story traditional structure made of wood and red bricks. Kumari Bahal is quite architecturally spectacular, and Kumari can be seen wandering around.
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is a former royal palace that was home to the monarchs of Nepal. It has one of the most significant histories of Nepal because of the ‘Royal Family Massacre’ of 2001. The name Narayanhiti is made up of two words in Nepali. ‘Narayan’ signifies the Hindu god ‘Lord Vishnu’, and ‘Hiti’ means ‘water spout’. The name is particularly important as the temple of Lord Vishnu is situated right opposite to the palace complex. And a water spout lies on the eastern side of the main entrance.
Hanuman Dhoka is a part of Durbar Square. Hanuman Dhoka consists of buildings that include the Shah Dynasty and the royal Malla king palaces. Spread over an area of 5 acres, it has a standing statue of the Hindu god Lord Hanuman at the entrance. The place gets its name from the statue. ‘Dhoka’ means “door” or “gate”. The door serves as the entrance to Mohan Chok, Nasal Chok, Mul Chok, and Tribhuvan Museum, portraying King Tribhuvan’s royal belongings. This place is one of the must-go places in Kathmandu and is the best to visit.
