Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal, is the political as well as cultural capital of the country. Kathmandu is a city where ancient traditions rub shoulders with the latest technological advances. However, it is the grandeur of the past that enchants the visitor whose gaze may linger on an exquisitely carved wooden window frame, an 18th century bronze sculpture or the spiritually uplifting stupas. Like any big city, Kathmandu has seen rapid expansion in the last decade, but despite the hustle and bustle so typical of metropolitan cities, its people remain as refreshingly friendly as ever. Retaining its ancient traditions, Kathmandu is blessed by a Living Goddess and is enriched by endless ceremonial processions and events that take to the streets every now and then with throngs of devotees seeking blessings. These religious festivals are steeped in legend and are quite a spectacle with chariot processions and masked dancers often possessed by the spirits of deities.

Places to See in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantapur Durbar and Hanuman Dhoka, is an old durbar square in Kathmandu's city center. In the heart of old Kathmandu city, Basantapur never fails to impress first time visitors with its intricate wood carvings and rich history. Hanuman Dhoka was built during the Licchavi period (4th to 8th centuries AD), and King Pratap Malla extended the property significantly in the 17th century. With the highest concentration of old structures, the square is home to several palaces, courtyards, and temples. It is also known as "the Museum of Temples" because there are over 50 temples in the square. Handicraft shops may be found in the courtyards around Gaddi Baithak, where you can see a variety of attractive purchasable handicrafts.

Among the 50 temples that lie in the vicinity, lies the temple of the titular deity, Taleju Bhawani. The Durbar is divided into two courtyards, the outer Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple, and the inner section consisting of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. Some floors have been converted to museums dedicated to three generations of Shah kings of Nepal. Most parts of the palace premises are open to tourists throughout the week.

TALEJU TEMPLE: The Taleju Temple is the tallest of all structures, built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD. This temple is open to the public for one day each year during the Dashain festival.

KUMARI TEMPLE: The 17th century Kumari Temple, or the temple of Living Goddess is an example of highly developed Nepali craftsmanship. This is the official residence of Living Goddess Kumari of Kathmandu. Visitors can get a peek of the living goddess and seek blessings during special hours.

JAGANNATH TEMPLE: Built in the 16th century, the Jagannath Temple is known for the fascinating erotic figures carved on the wooden struts.

NASAL CHOWK: This lovely courtyard inside the main entrance will be your first experience of the historic royal residence. Nasal Chowk was built during the Malla dynasty, although many of the structures in the area were built during the Rana period. Nasal Chowk was utilized for coronations throughout the Rana regime, and the practice persisted until 2001.

NARSINGHA STATUE: Narsingha is thought to be Lord Vishnu in his man-lion avatar, disemboweling a demon. Pratap Malla erected the stone image in 1673, and according to the inscription on the monument, he did so out of fear of upsetting Vishnu by dancing in a Narsingha attire.

SWET BHAIRAV: Swet Bhairav is a statue of Bhairav, avatar of Shiva. This Bhairav temple is open to the public once in year during the festival of Indra Jatra during August-September.

SHISHA BAITHAK: Shisha Baithak is an open patio with the Malla throne on display, and pictures of the Shah kings.

TRIBHUWAN MUSEUM: Along with memorials to Kings Mahendra and Birendra, the Tribhuwan Museum commemorates King Tribhuvan and his successful insurrection against their regime. The museum exhibits the king's bedroom and study, complete with real personal belongings that provide a surreal look into his existence. The king's boxing gloves, the walking staff with a spring-loaded sword hidden inside, and his dusty, empty aquarium provide some mysterious moments. There are several spectacular thrones, numerous hunting photographs, and the typical coin collection on display.

KAL BHAIRAB: The Kal Bhairav is one of the largest 17th century stone statues in Kathmandu, representing the terrifying aspect of Lord Shiva.

Swayambhunath Stupa: Find peace and prayers on the little hillock of Swaymbhunath northwest of Kathmandu Valley.
Find peace and prayers on the little hillock of Swaymbhunath in the northwest of Kathmandu Valley. Visitors for whom the name was a tongue twister have called it "Monkey Temple" from the 1970s. Swayambhu, overlooks most parts of the valley giving visitors a panoramic view of the city. The stupa has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries with Hindu temples and deities incorporated in this Buddhist site. The glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this point.

Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, Swayambhu is one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises.

Swayambhu literally means "self-existent one". Believed to date back to 460 A.D., it was built by King Manadeva and by the 13th century, it had become an important center of Buddhism. Legend has it that Swayambhu was born out of a lotus flower that bloomed in the middle of a lake that once spread across the Kathmandu Valley once was. The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal sits on a high pedestal on the western boundary of Swayambhu beside the Ring Road. Behind the hilltop is a temple dedicated to Manjusri or Saraswati - the Goddess of learning. Chaityas, statues and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities fill the stupa complex. The base of the hill is almost entirely surrounded by prayer wheels and deities. Devotees can be seen circumambulating the stupa at all times.

Exceedingly steep stone steps that lead up to the shrine is quite a challenge. However, there is also a motor road going up almost to the top from where it is a short walk. A large number of Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swayambhu throughout the day. This shrine is perhaps the best place to observe religious harmony in Nepal. The largest crowds of people are seen here on Buddha's birthday which usually falls in May each year.

Some important monuments to see in this area

The huge gold plated Vajra ‘thunderbolt’ set in the east side of the stupa.

Buddha statue on the west side of Swayambhu.

The Sleeping Buddha.

The Dewa Dharma Monastery, noted for a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings.

The temple dedicated to Harati, the goddess of all children. It is said that she was an ogress before Lord Buddha converted her to be the caretaker of all children.

Pashupatinath Temple: This temple situated on the banks of the holy River Bagmati is the most revered Hindu temple in Nepal. The main temple complex is open only to the Hindus; non-Hindus must satisfy themselves by observing from the terraces just across the Bagmati River to the east. As a mark of reverence and tradition, leather items that include shoes, belts and cameras are forbidden within the temple complex and must be left outside. Photography is strictly prohibited.

The most important festival observed here is Shivaratri, or ‘the Night of Lord Shiva’ - the night Lord Shiva self-originated - when devotees and pilgrims from far and wide across Nepal and India, including sadhus (barely attired holy men with long locks of hair and smeared in ashes) and ascetics, throng the temple to have a darshan (glimpse) of the sacred Shiva lingam. The other holy occasion when devotees descend to the temple in large numbers is on Teej (a festival solely observed by Hindu women) in mid-September. The whole temple complex and the adjoining areas turn into a sea of red as women draped in their bridal red sarees and wearing yellow or green bead necklaces offer prayers for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. The temple is just as crowded with devotees every fortnight on the 11th day of the lunar month on Ekadashi. Among the Ekadashis, the most prominent and holiest two are the Harishayani Ekadashi in Ashadh (June/July) and four months later, Haribodhini Ekadashi in Kartik (October/November.

The Slesh Mantak forest encircles the holy site where monkeys abound, and deer is reared in captivity to revere the animal form that Lord Shiva took as per the Swasthani Brata Katha.

The Pashupati Bagmati Aarati is one of the most engaging rituals at this pilgrimage site. Devotees from all over the country participates in this ritual whenever they visit Pashupatinath Temple.

Guhyeshwari: It is one of the famous Shakti Peeths in Nepal and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River near the Pashupatinath Temple. Here too, non-Hindus are denied entry. The goddess is replicated here in the form of a silver-plated waterhole which is kept covered by a silver kalash (auspicious water jar). The Swasthani Brata Katha chronicles the origin of the temple. Following the death by self-immolation in a fire by his beloved consort Sati Devi, a grief-stricken Shiva wandered aimlessly across the earth carrying her dead body on his shoulders. In the course of his directionless wandering, the corpse began to rot, and parts of the body fell at different places. Wherever those body parts fell, a Shakti Peeth originated, and the Mother Goddess in her manifestation as the consort of Lord Shiva came to stay there. Gods, sages and celestial beings came to the Shakti Peeths to do penance or offer worship to the goddess (Ishwari), and thus these spots became holy places. It was at this spot that the Guhya (anal portion) of the corpse fell, and hence this place came to be known as Guhyeshwari.

Access: The temple lies 5 km to the east of the city center. Besides taxis, microbuses or three wheelers called tempos will drop you at Gaushala from where it is a short walk to the temple.

Thamel: As the tourist district of Kathmandu, Thamel bustles with activity late into the night. It is a mere10-minute walk from the center of Kathmandu, yet completely different from the rest of the city. Thamel caters entirely to tourists with its scores of hotels, rows of restaurants and bars, book shops, inviting souvenir shops, cyber cafes and travel agencies. All that a tourist needs can be found here, even friends and traveling companions. Thamel is also great for shopping for trekking and mountaineering gear, travel accessories as well as souvenirs.

Asan: Once the center of old Kathmandu, the Asan market square is located about midway on the only diagonal thoroughfare in Kathmandu that links Durbar Square with Durbar Marg. At Asan, there are six roads radiating in all directions. The three-storied pagoda style Annapurna Temple of Annapurna, the Goddess of Grains, presides over the ever-lively bazaar. Asan is still an important shopping center and one of the busiest market places with shops selling anything from local and imported spices to kitchenware, grocery, fresh vegetables, Chinese goods, hardware and clothes.

Kirtipur: Located about 30 minutes from Kathmandu on a ridge 8 kilometers southwest of the city. Kirtipur, an ancient Newar town, is a little hill town with paved streets lined by typical red-brick houses and tiled roofs, as well as temple squares. An experience in itself, its age-old traditional Newari buildings blending with the new is a sight you wouldn’t want to miss. Apart from its architecture, Kirtipur is a lively town that hosts a variety of traditional events known as Jatras in Nepali, which visitors can attend. The most well-known Jatras are Indrayani Jatra in November and December, and Bagh Bhairab Jatra in August.
The Chilamchu Stupa and the Bagh Bhairab Temple are the main lures here. Bagh Bhairab is without a doubt the most well-known temple with Gurkha weapons on display. Other popular temples in the area include Aadinath Temple and Lohan Dega. Aside from the temples, you can also walk around Manjushree Park, hike to Chobhar Gorge, or go birdwatching at Taudaha Lake, which is located south of Kirtipur. Nepal's oldest university, Tribhuvan University, is in the foothills of Kirtipur. After a long day of sightseeing, you can relax with your friends at one of the Newari eateries and spend the rest of the day munching on delectable Newari cuisine.

Garden of Dreams: At the entrance of Thamel, the Garden of Dreams is a quiet oasis for city dwellers in the heart of Kathmandu. The garden, a part of the Kaiser Mahal complex which was earlier in dire need of maintenance was renovated and restored to its former glory. Major attractions in this 24-acre garden include neo-classical pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture, Chinese Moon Gate and European inspired features such as pergolas, balustrades, urns and birdhouses. Today it is open to the public with a restaurant and bar.

Pharping : Lying 18 km south of Kathmandu on the valley rim, Pharping is perched on a hilltop with a Buddhist monastery. Pharping’s main attraction is an elaborate 17-century temple which houses a glided image of Goddess Bajra Jogini. Other fascinating sights here include a cave and a hand-imprint of the Buddhist saint Padmasambhav on the rock face over its entrance.