Kathmandu, Nepal Tourism & Vacations
2015 - Kathmandu, Nepal trip 2015
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Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of
Nepal and the namesake of the
Kathmandu Valley.
Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La,
Kathmandu is now a hub for independent travellers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. As a result of considerable urban growth in recent decades, it is now part of one continuous urban area together with
Patan to the south.
See in Kathmandu, Nepal
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Swayambhu (स्वयम्भू) aka
Monkey Temple - A site on a hill overlooking the city with a large stupa and other Buddhist and
Hindu iconography. One of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the country. There are 350 steps to the top - the back route is less steep but the views on the way up are not as nice. Aside from the views over the city and the ancient carvings in every available space, it's crowded with monkeys mingling with the visitors. The base of the hill is a 30 minute walk from
Thamel (make sure you have a map as there are several confusing intersections along the way), or take a taxi or rickshaw. As with the
Boudha Stupa, are plenty of Buddhist and Tibetan-inspired trinkets for sale. There are also drinks for sale at the top, and at least one small restaurant selling momos. For those that have their own transport or have difficulty climbing stairs there is a parking lot at the back entrance that significantly reduces the number of stairs that need to be climbed to gain access to the main compound. This is one of seven
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
Foreigners: NPR750 for a multiple entry pass. NPR200 for single entry
Boudha Stupa in Boudha (
बौद्ध). One of the most sacred sites for
Tibetan Buddhism. This huge stupa is one of the largest in the world. It is located to the north-east of Dwarikas'
Hotel and just to the north of the airport area. This is another
World Heritage Site.
Narayanhiti Palace Museum - This is the former
Royal palace which was turned partly into a Museum and partly into the
Foreign Ministry after the abolition of the monarchy in 2009. Now you can visit the splendid Halls of the main building of the palace.
Giant fruit bats hanging from the tall trees and 20 foot-tall bamboo around the otherwise modern (and still well secured) former palace are a sight, especially around sunset when the bats depart en masse. Foreigners: NPR500
Thamel Chowk - a tourist neighborhood with many restaurants and shops.
Freak Street - Historic street where western hippies seeking enlightenment would stay. Now just a few restaurants and hotels.
Pashupatinath - An important
Hindu temple to
Shiva in the form of
Lord of Animals.
See monkeys, cremation, sadhus and meditation caves.
Morning or sunset are great times to go.
1000 Rupess for foreigners, though you can sneak in through the park at the
North side of the temple, as many locals do (beware of police though, who try to catch people doing exactly this). No entry inside the main temple for foreigners, though you can peer inside from the doorway. Also, there are stairs on the
East side of the river leading to the Boudha Stupa (a short walk away).
Garden of Dreams /
Kaiser Mahal [2] -
Relax in this beautiful and peaceful walled garden close to Thamel and the former
Royal Palace. Beautifully renovated in partnership with
Austrian government.
Currently has two pavilions depicting two of the six annual seasons in the
Hindu calendar. It has several expensive cafes and a bar.
Nice toilets. NPR200.
- published: 19 Jan 2015
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