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Overview: UNESCO has declared 7 World Heritage Sites, all inside Kathmandu Valley.

These seven World Heritage Sites are all amazing man-made wonders still standing

majestically - some of them as old as 2500 years. Although their close proximity means

you could probably travel to each sight in a single day, you'll need two to three days in

the city of Kathmandu to get the full experience of each location.

Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

The political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal is the first stop for the majority of

visitors to the country. Once a separate kingdom in itself, it contains three fabled cities -

Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur . Out of ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven

cultural heritage sites are in Kathmandu Valley. The history of the Valley begins with the

Buddhist saint Manjushree who slashed a passage through the surrounding hills to drain

out the primordial waters and make it inhabitable. Over the centuries, a refined urban

civilization emerged, built on a unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism. Dynasties

came and went. Trade and the arts flourished. Its deeply religious Newar inhabitants

built fabulous cities and artistic temples that attracted devout pilgrims as well as

rampaging invaders. In the late 18th century, following the founding of modern Nepal

within more or less the present boundaries, Kathmandu was made the capital.

Kathmandu, the largest city in Nepal is situated at an altitude of 1,350m.

KATHMANDU (population 1,096,865 - 2001 census)

Durbar Square. This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples like Hanumandhoka

Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju temple, built between the

12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla Kings of Kathmandu.

An intriguing piece here is the 17h -century stone inscription set into the wall of the

palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square, protected as a UNESCO World

Heritage Site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. Even to date, all

the major state and social ceremonies, including the solemnization of coronations are

performed in one of the courtyards in this complex. There are also museums inside the

palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs. 250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the

Square entitles you to visit all the museums.

Walkabout: A colorful and enlightening walk that gives you a feel of Kathmandu

starts at Rani Pokhari, the large pond at Jamal beside the clock tower (Ghanta Ghar).

The first stretch of the diagonal street leading southwest from here is called Kamalachhi.

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nepal

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It is lined with bicycles and garment stores and brings you to the stone-paved market

square of Ason, where the Annapurna temple presides over the motley of spice, grain

and oil shops. Keep on walking and you come to Kel Tole after passing shops

overflowing with brass utensils. Further on is the junction of Indrachowk with the temple

of Akash Bhairav occupying one side. Your next stop after threading your way through

the street lined with cloth shops is the stone-paved plaza of Makhan, where the Taleju

temple towers over a row of handicraft shops. Walk on through Durbar Square to the

intersection of Maru where you are surrounded by temples of all shapes and sizes.

Heritage Walk: A walk through selected historic sites seldom visited. This revitalizing

walk starts at Teku, south of old Kathmandu, leading on to Wonder Narayan, a 17th

century temple dedicated to Lord Bishnu. Strolling through Hyumat Tole, you will arrive

at Kusah Bahi, a Buddhist courtyard built in 1754. The next stop is the Narayan Dewal,

another Bishnu temple (built in 1865) with a small Ganesh temple at the entrance. Walk

on to Tukan Baha, built in the 14th century as a replica of the Swayambhu stupa.

Admire the Ram temple at the Ramchandra Dewal before reaching Jaisi Dewal, a

huge Shiva temple built in 1688. Saunter down to Kohiti to study the Buddhist and Hindu

sculptures in this sunken water fountain. Walk through Chikan Mugal and stop by at the

Atko Narayan Dewal, an important Bishnu temple built in 1857, before visiting the

namesake of the city, the Kasthamandap pavilion. After a further five-minute walk,

reach the final destination, the Bhimsen Dewal, built in 1655 and dedicated to the main

deity of local traders.

Swayambhunath Stupa: watches over the Valley from the top of a hillock on its

western side just three kilometers west of the city center. The stupa is one of the holiest

Buddhist sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu

Valley out of a primordial lake. Swayambhunath is also known as Samhengu and is

listed as a World Heritage Site. It is also one of the oldest and glorious Buddhist shrines in

the world which is said to be two thousand years. The four sides of the stupa is painted

with the eyes of Lord Buddha and the temple is also known as the watchful eyes of

Buddha. Entrance fee Rs. 50 (SAARC nationals Rs. 30).

Bouddhanath Stupa lies about 6 km east of downtown Kathmandu and is the

largest stupa in the Valley and one of the largest in the world. It looms 36 meters high

and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design with hundreds of

prayer wheels and 108 small images of Buddha all around. Just like the

Swayambhunath, the stupa here is too has four sides with the watchful eyes of Lord

Buddha. All the Buddhist throng to this stupa to take part in the sacred rituals during the

Buddhist festivals. Bouddhanath , a World Heritage Site is also known as Khasti. There are

more than 45 Buddhist monasteries in the area. Many have schools that teach young

monks like those pictured here. An information counter, run by the Bouddha Area

Preservation & Development Committee (Ph: 4471368) offers assistance to visitors.

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Changu Narayan Temple is situated on a ridge overlooking the Valley, about 12 km to

the east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu God Bishnu - the Preserver. One of the

finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture, the temple is embellished with

exquisite wood and stone carvings and is said to be the oldest pagoda style temple in

Nepal built sometime back in 323 A.D. The sacred complex is a World Heritage Site and

offers a panoramic view of the surrounding at 125 meters. Chronicles indicate

Pashupatinath's existence prior to 400 AD. Devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in

the holy Bagmati river flowing beside the temple, also a World Heritage Site. The

crematorium is just outside the temple and it is a dream of almost every Hindu to be

cremated by the side of Pashupati Aryaghat after their death.

PATAN (population 162,991 - 2001 estimate)

Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace

buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage

Site, the former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life,

and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects.

There is an entrance fee of Rs. 200 per foreign visitor. One remarkable monument here is

a 17th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna - Krishna Mandir built

entirely of stone with rare stone carvings on its walls

depicting the epic wars from Ramayana and

Mahabharata. Iba Bahi is situated about a two-minute

walk south of Durbar Square. It is one of the oldest

Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu Valley and reflects

the sophisticated architecture of the Malla period. A

two-step platform leads to the courtyard with a hall

called Dalan. There is a shrine dedicated to

Shakyamuni right across the entrance. Kwa Bahal, also

known as the Golden Temple, is a Buddhist monastery

courtyard dating to the 12th century. It is a five-minute

walk west and north from the northern end of Durbar

Square. The monastery building is embellished with

exceptionally fine wood-carvings and repousse work. Artistic images are scattered

around the courtyard, and devotees can be seen offering worship at the many shrines

here. Entrance fee Rs. 25. Mahabouddha can be reached by walking east from the

southern end of Durbar Square and then turning right at the sunken water taps. This

Buddhist monument is an excellent example of terra cotta art form which points to the

skill of Patan's ancient craftsmen with a variety of building styles. The 14th century

monument's obelisk-like design is also unusual in a city of pagoda roofs...

Oku Bahal is situated a few steps past Mahabouddha and is one of the best known

Buddhist places of worship in Patan. The stone-paved courtyard is enclosed by a two-

story building with gilded roofs. The wood-carvings on the roof struts are especially

attractive. The place is peppered with sacred images and other small shrines.

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Walkabout. Besides these much frequented tourist attractions, there are other ancient

parts of Patan worth sight-seeing. Nakabahi, Nyakha Chuka, Nagbaha, Swotha Square,

Tumbaha, Walkhu Tole, Chyasa, Kapinche, Chapat, Subaha, Bhinchhebaha, Dupat

and Nugah make up a nice half-day walk around the squares, temples and

monuments of inner Patan. The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel is a pleasant diversion after a

tour of the cultural sights. The only zoo in Nepal, wasfirst established in 1932 by a Rana

Prime Minister as a private zoo and later opened to public in 1956. It houses about 106

species of birds and over 665 different animals and has 14 of the 38 endangered

animals of Nepal. There is also a pond where you can go boating. The zoo is open daily

except Mondays from 10 am to 5 pm. Entrance for foreign visitors costs Rs. 60 (Rs. 25 for

children under 10). Elephant ride costs Rs. 100 (Tel: 5528324). Tibetan Refugee Camp

was set up in 1960 under the initiative of International Red Cross and the Swiss

Development Corporation (SDC), known as Swiss Association for Technical Assistance

(SATA) then, in cooperation with His Majesty's Government of Nepal. Its main objective

is to enable the Tibetan refugees to do something productive and support themselves.

The carpet industry of Nepal is almost run by the Tibetan refugee families and the

carpet factories have been a great source of employment for them to become self

reliant economically. Apart from the carpet industry, Tibetan refugees are also

engaged into handicrafts and there are many handicraft centers providing work

opportunities to the families of the refugees with its profits going for the education,

sanitation, healthcare of the Tibetans in the Refugee Camps including the physically

handicapped and senior Tibetans.

BHAKTAPUR (population 74,200 - 2002 estimation)

Durbar Square. As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner

harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55

Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as

you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also

housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali

is a masterpiece in repousse art. In front of the palace building is a medley of temples

of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in

Bhaktapur is the best preserved one. There is an entrance fee of Rs. 30 for SAARC

nationals and Rs. 500 for other foreign visitors. Taumadhi Square lies to the east of

Durbar Square reached by a narrow brick-paved lane. The towering five-roofed

Nyatapol temple presides over the square. The monument gracefully soars into the sky

atop a five-story plinth. The stairway leading up to the temple is flanked by stone figures

of deities and mythical beasts, each 10 times more powerful than the one immediately

below. Dattatreya Square takes its name from the Dattatreya temple dedicated to a

three-headed combination of the Hindu deities Brahma, Bishnu and Shiva. If you want

to experience the feel of the traditional urban layout of Bhaktapur, Dattatreya Square is

it. Set in a maze of streets lined with richly ornamented houses, the square is famed for

its many ornate Hindu monasteries known as Math. The National Woodworking Museum

is also housed here and the Brass and Bronze Museum is across the street. The oldest

structure in Bhaktapur was raised during the reign of the last Malla King, Yaksha Malla

who ruled the Valley before it was divided into three Kingdoms amongst his three heirs.

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Potter's Square. A two-minute walk south of

Durbar Square brings you to Bolachhen, also

known as Potter's Square because of the

many potters seen here moulding wet clay

into different kinds of earthen ware. It has a

display of fresh pottery left out to dry in the

open square. This place can be

approached from Taumadhi Square. The

elephant-headed Lord Ganesh is the patron

of potters, thus the Jeth Ganesh temple in

the square.

Siddha Pukhu, a pond dating back to the

Lichhavi period, is better known as Ta-Pukhu, meaning big pond. Though situated right

at the bus stop, it provides a serene atmosphere with its sashaying fish and the stone

images of different Hindu and Buddhist Gods.

Surya Binayak is one of Kathmandu's most popular pilgrimage spots, 12 kilometers east

of the center. It has been positioned in such a way to catch the first rays of the sun in

the morning. Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur, it is a 20-minute walk

from the trolley bus terminal. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesh (the

Elephant headed God) is crowded with devotees especially on Tuesdays and

Saturdays. It is also one of the favorite picnic spots offering elegant views of Bhaktapur

and other attractive landscapes.

Lumbini (Birth Place of Lord Buddha)

Lumbini associated with the birth of Lord

Buddha is of extreme archeological i

mportance and also a UNESCO Cultural

Heritage Site. It is said that Prince Siddhartha

Gautam, who later became Buddha the

Englightened One, was born in the gardens

of Nepal's Lumbini in 623 B.C. The main

shrines of Lumbini are the newly restored

Mayadevi Temple, the Ashokan Pillar behind

the temple and the Lake Shakya Puskarini

where Mayadevi is said to have bathed

before delivering the little Buddha into the

world. Several other places near Lumbini are

linked with stories connected to Buddha and Buddhism. Lumbini is about 300 kilometers

southwest of Kathmandu. Bus and flights to Bhairawa which is about 22 kilometers from

Lumbini, are available from major cities. From Bhairawa transport services to Lumbini are

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easily available. Food and accommodation facilities are available in Lumbini and

Bhairawa.

Chitwan National Park

The Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first ever

national park lies at the foot of the Himalaya

in the Inner Terai lowlands of Chitwan.

Covering an area of 932 sq. kilometers the

park extends over decidous forest foothills

and river floodplains. The park is rich in its

variety of vegetation and wildlife. The park

provides one of the last habitats for

endangered species like the Asiatic one-

horned rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger.

Chitwan National Park was officially

established in 1973 and included as Natural Heritage Site in 1984.

Sagarmatha National Park Area: 1148 sq. km.

Established: 1976

LOCATION: Sagarmatha National Park is located to the north-east of Kathmandu in the Kumbu

region of Nepal. The park includes the highest peak in the world, Mt. Sagarmatha

(Everest), and several other well-known peaks such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Pumori,

Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachung Kang. The park was

added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.

FEATURES: The mountains of Sagarmatha National Park are

geologically young and broken up by deep gorges

and glacial valleys. Vegetation includes pine and

hemlock forests at lower altitudes , fir, juniper, birch

and rhododendron woods, scrub and alpine plant

communities, and bare rock and snow. The famed

bloom of rhododendrons occurs during spring (April

and May) although other flora is most colorful

during the monsoon season (June to August).

Wild animals most likely to seen in the park are the Himalayan tahr, goral, serow and

musk deer. The snow leopard and Himalayan black bear are present but rarely sighted.

Other mammals rarely seen are the weasel, maren, Himalayan mouse hare (pika), and

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jackal and languor , monkey. The park is populated by approximately 3,000 of the

famed Sherpa people whose lives are interwoven with the teachings of Buddhism. The

main settlements are Namche Bazar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Thyangboche,

Pangboche and Phortse. The economy of the Khumbu Sherpa community has

traditionally been heavily based on trade and livestock herding. But with the arrival of

international mountaineering expeditions since 1950 and the influx of foreign trekkers,

today the Sherpa economy is becoming increasingly dependent of tourism.

Suggested Half-Day Itineraries

Sight-seeing can be done on foot in the city core areas; for outlying spots, hire a car or

take the bus. Travel agencies in Kathmandu offer a variety of half-day and full-day

guided tours. The following combinations of tourist sites make for a pleasant half-day of

sight-seeing:

1. Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

2. Kathmandu Durbar Square

3. Patan Durbar Squares

4. Bhaktapur Durbar Square

5. Pashupatinath Temple

6. Bouddhanath Stupa

7. Changu Narayan Temple

8. Lumbini (Birth Place of Buddha)

9. Chitwan National Park

10. Sagarmatha National Park

Samrat Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd. GPO Box: 20961, Gairidhara, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tel: +977-1-4004700 / 4004701/ 4004702

Fax: +977-1-4700226

Cell: +977-9851030564 (CN Pandey)

Cell: +977-9851032867 (Rajaram Tiwari)

Email: sales@samratnepal.com or pandeycn@gmail.com

Web: www.samratnepal.com

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