Last updated on February 4th, 2021

Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath, Visit Kathmandu

Monkey Temple, © Can Stock / HamsterMan

Visit Kathmandu – Durbar Square

The Kathmandu Durbar Square is a highlight for those who visit Kathmandu. Unfortunately the earthquake in April of 2015 collapsed many of the historic buildings. The Kathmandu Durbar Square contains palaces, courtyards and temples built during the Malla Dynasty from the 12th to the 18th centuries. In the square you will find the Royal Palace, the Taleju Temple and the giant pagoda of Kasthamandap. The giant pagoda of Kasthamandap is the origin of the name Kathmandu. Walk down Old Freak Street to get the flavor of the ancient city.

Bhaktapur, Earthquake Destruction, Kathmandu

Bhaktapur, Earthquake Destruction, Kathmandu

Visit Kathmandu – Kumari, Living Goddess

One of the most interesting buildings in Kathmandu Durbar Square is the Kumari Ghar. The Kumari House is the residence of the Royal Kumari, a Living Goddess. There are many Living Goddess’ in Nepal, but the girl at the Kumari Ghar is rated by many as the most important. Her title is the Royal Kumari.

Royal Palace, Visit Kathmandu

Royal Palace, © Can Stock / shariffc

A Kumari or Kumari Devi is a female child chosen by Buddhist priests for the child’s lineage, physical characteristics, mental capabilities and social poise. She lives in a sacred house and is rarely see her parents. If she continues to perform her role to the exacting standards, she can continue in the role until puberty, at which time a child of about 4 years old is chosen to succeed her. The Kumari Devi is the incarnation of a goddess and cannot touch the ground when appearing in public. The Kumari Devi Living Goddess is carried on a wheeled throne at religious ceremonies that she attends.

Wooden Masks, Monkey Temple, Visit Kathmandu

Wooden Masks, Monkey Temple, © Can Stock / shariffc

Visit Kathmandu – Monkey Temple

The Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath) is a Buddhist stupa or temple which was built around 500 AD. Don’t trust the live monkeys at the site. They may be holy, but that doesn’t make them friendly. The Natural History Museum of Nepal and the National Museum of Nepal in the Chhauni district are near the Monkey Temple. At the National Museum, you will find the Juddha Art Gallery, the Buddha Art Gallery and the Historical Art Gallery.

Rani Pokhari, Queen's Pond, Visit Kathmandu

Queen’s Pond, © Can Stock / shariffc

Visit Kathmandu – Parks

Just east of Kathmandu Durbar Square are a series of parks. At the southern end you will find the Dharahara or Bhimsen Tower. Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa built the Dharahara Tower in 1832. The tower is open to the public for a fee. It has views over Kathmandu in every direction. Next head north through the parks to the Rani Pokhari Queen’s Pond.

Kopan Buddhist Monastery, Visit Kathmandu

Kopan Buddhist Monastery, © Can Stock / oguzdkn

Visit Kathmandu – Garden of Dreams

Continuing further to the north from the Queen’s Pond, you will arrive at the Garden Of Dreams. The Garden of Dreams has a 24 acre garden with pavilions, fountains, birdhouses, restaurants and bars. Next, stop by the Narayanhiti Palace Museum and the historic Hotel Shanker. Then have a meal and search for mountaineering equipment in the Thamel Neighborhood.

Boudhanath Stupa, Visit Kathmandu

Boudhanath Stupa, © Can Stock / oguzdkn

Boudhanath Stupa

The Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest temples in the world. The large number of refugees arriving since the 1950s has led to the construction of numerous monasteries surrounding Boudhanath Stupa. The earliest construction on the temple may have occurred in 600AD. The 2015 badly damaged this area too. The Tharlam Monastery is located here. When you visit the Boudhanath Stupa, consider extending your visit to three Buddhist monasteries not too far from the stupa: Kopan Monastery, International Buddhist Academy and Druk Amitabh Mountain.

Patan Durbar Square before 2015 earthquake, Visit Kathmandu

Patan Durbar Square before 2015 earthquake, © Can Stock / santorini

Patan Durbar Square

King Birdeva created the Patan Durbar Square in the 6th century. This square was also badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake. The Patan Museum and the Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Centre are located here. Anotther Kumari Devi (Living Goddess) lives here and is often considered the second most influential in Nepal after the Royal Kumari in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Lord Shiva Temple, Bagmati Ghats, Visit Kathmandu

Lord Shiva Temple, © Can Stock / Sabobros

Visit Kathmandu – Lord Shiva Temple

The Lord Shivah Temple or Pashupatinath is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. King Bhupendra Malla rebuilt the Lord Shiva Temple in the 17th century. The temple is on the banks of the Bagmati River and is also known for its ghats along the river. Ghats are steps down to the river, which are used for bathing, religious ceremonies and cremations too. The area contains slums that provide an insight into the lives of the poor in Kathmandu.

Visit Kathmandu – More Sights

  • Nepal Fine Arts Association Gallery (NAFA)
  • Volunteer – With a large number of refugees from Tibet and Bhutan, there are many opportunities to volunteer in refugee camps, orphanages and monasteries. One example is Firefly Children’s Home.
Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Mount Everest Base Camp, © Can Stock / zqfotography

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek

The region north of Kathmandu has eight peaks over 26,000 ft (8,000 meters ). The highest peaks in the Himalayas opened up to climbers in 1994. The Mount Everest Base Camp Trek begins with an exciting flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The Lukla airport has one runway, which runs uphill into a mountain side. When you leave, the plane runs down hill and off a steep embankment. From Lukla, you pass through Namche Bazaar and by the Tengboche Monastery en route to the Mount Everest Base Camp.

Expect to spend about 2 weeks making the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek. The main consideration is altitude sickness, because the Mount Everest Base Camp is at an elevation over 17,000 feet. The route crosses several very high suspension bridges that hikers share with yaks caring supplies to base camp. Along the way, you can eat and stay at tea houses. Many tea houses offer free accommodation if you buy all your meals with them.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal, thanks Pixabay

Annapura Circuit Trek

The Annapurna Region in north western Nepal includes the city of Pokhara, Jomsom, Annapurna Base Camp, Mustang, Manang, Sikles and Ghandruk. The Annapurna Circuit Trek takes about 3 weeks. Just like hiking to Everest Base Camp, you can expect to find tea house that will let you stay for free if you buy all your meals there too.

Temple Stairs, Bhaktapur, Visit Kathmandu

Bhaktapur, © Can Stock / kaetana

Visit Kathmandu – Birdwatching

Try birdwatching at Taudaha Lake, which is about 20 minutes from town. Head to Bardia National Park or Chitwan National Park. At Chitwan National Park, ride an Asian elephant, search for Asian rhinoceros and see more than 400 species of birds. Chitwan National Park was originally the hunting grounds for rulers of the valley. Other options for birdwatching include the premier location of Koshi Tappu Wetlands, as well as the Mai Valley, Tamur Valley, Lumbini, Dang Valley and Ghodagodhi Lake. If you go birdwatching in Lumbini, also visit the Maya Devi Temple, which marks the birthplace of the first Buddha.

Swayambhunath Monkey Temple, Visit Kathmandu

Swayambhunath, © Can Stock / HamsterMan

Things to See and Do near Kathmandu

  • Bhaktapur Durbar Square – among the temples and buildings are the Golden Gate, the 55-Window Palace, a statue of King Bhupatindra Malla and a house for a Kumari Devi Living Goddess.
  • Budhanilkantha – North of town in the Shivapuri hills is a 5th century granite sculpture of Lord Vishnu lying on a bed of serpents. The figure is placed in a large pond in a manner that makes the statue appear to be floating.
  • Changu Narayan Temple – known for its statue of Lord Vishnu Vishvarupa and the Changu Museum.
Lord Shivah Temple, Visit Kathmandu

Lord Shivah Temple, © Can Stock / HamsterMan

Savor the Tastes of Kathmandu

  • Dal bhat – rice and lentil soup, which is a staple of Nepal.
  • Bhojanalaya – inexpensive local vegetarian cuisine.
  • Thamel Neighborhood – restaurants, bars and mountaineering shops too.
Bagmati River Ghats, Visit Kathmandu

Bagmati River Ghats, © Can Stock / micropix

Get to Kathmandu

People get to Kathmandu through Tribhuvan International Airport. The airport operates major international flights and domestic service too. Flying in to Tribhuvan International Airport has been risky in recent years due to aircraft mechanical failures on some of the smaller airlines. Bad weather has been a problem too. From 2010 to 2012 there have been fatalities on Agni Air, Tara Air, Buddha Air and Sita Air.

Silu Mahadev Temple, Bhaktapur, Visit Kathmandu

Bhaktapur before 2015 earthquake, © Can Stock / shariffc

The airport is 4 miles from town. Prearranged cab fares can be paid at the airport or negotiated with drivers too. Most hotels and tour companies offer shuttle services. Everyone agrees that Kathmandu badly needs a metro system, but it’s not there yet.

Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu

Patan Durbar Square, © Can Stock / shariffc

Kathmandu Weather

The Kathmandu weather varies greatly depending on the rainy monsoon season. The monsoon season begins in May, reaches its peak in July and finishes in September. Rainfall in July can exceed 14 inches in a month (350 mm). With an elevation of about 4,600 ft (1,400 m) in Kathmandu, the average high temperature is consistently comfortable throughout the year. Average low drops to near freezing for the winter months. October is an excellent month to visit Kathmandu and catch views of the Himalayas. Those climbing in the Himalayas will find April more preferable, as the threat of severe winter weather is more readily avoided.

Kathmandu Weather Graph

Weather Graph for Kathmandu

Visit Kathmandu – Hotel

  • Hotel Shanker
  • Hyatt Regency
  • Hotel Yak & Yeti

Visit Kathmandu – Background

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and its largest city. More than 2 million people live there. Kathmandu is in the Kathmandu Valley. The cities of Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon) are only a few minutes away. UNESCO has designated all three cities as World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu is the access point for tourism in Nepal and the starting point for expeditions into the Himalayas, including trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp. The city is mainly Hindu, but with strong influences from Buddhism. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims travel great distances to visit various temples in Kathmandu. Expect to see pilgrims prostrating themselves at locations throughout the city.

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