Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is an amalgamation of the old and new, traditional and modern. It is a city that is alive with culture, traditions and architecture. The city has a lot to offer to its visitors and tourists.
Kathmandu is the oldest city in the world. It was founded by King Bimdev in 601 BC and is known as the ‘City of Temples. The city is home to the most number of temples in the world.
The ancient city is a mixture of cultures and traditions. The city is also famous for its religious beliefs and festivals. The city is divided into two parts – old Kathmandu and new Kathmandu. Old Kathmandu is the historical part of the city while new Kathmandu is the modern part of the city.
The city has many tourist attractions such as Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Bouddhanath Stupa, Panchavati Garden, Kumari’s Palace, etc. These places have become the major attractions of the city.
Pashupatinath Temple:
This temple is situated in the middle of the Bagmati River. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. It is one of the most popular Hindu temples in the world.
Swayambhunath Temple:
This temple is located in the heart of Kathmandu and is the largest stupa in the world. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Buddha and is one of the most visited temples in the city. The temple is surrounded by beautiful pagodas and statues.
Bouddhanath Stupa:
This is a Buddhist stupa that is believed to be the biggest in the world. The stupa is built in the shape of a chariot and houses the remains of Gautam Buddha.
Patan Durbar Square: Patan Durbar Square is the largest open space in the city and is considered to be the largest public square in Asia. The square is surrounded by palaces and other buildings. The square is the main place for the annual festival of Dashain.
Kumari’s Palace:
This is the residence of the living goddess of the city – Kumari. The palace is considered to be the largest residential complex in the city.
Garden of Five Hundred Flowers:
This garden is considered to be the biggest botanical garden in the world. The garden has been constructed since the 15th century. The garden has more than 1000 species of plants and flowers.
Kathmandu:
Kathmandu is a blend of the old and the new. The city has some of the oldest temples in the world and the newest shopping malls and restaurants.
Things to See and Do in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is a city that is famous all over the world. It has been described as the most beautiful and romantic city in Asia. Kathmandu, which means ‘the city of gardens is a city that is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a city that is full of life and colour.
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the second largest city in the country after Pokhara. The city is also known as the ‘City of Monuments’ and is home to some of the finest and oldest monuments in the world.
The city is surrounded by hills and valleys. It is a place where nature is at its best. There are several places of interest to see in the city. These include:
- Durbar Square
Durbar Square is one of the main attractions in Kathmandu. This square was built during the rule of King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1775. The square is located in the heart of the city and is the centre of attraction for visitors. The square is bordered by three temples, namely: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
- Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is another major attraction in Kathmandu. This area is also known as the ‘Royal Garden’. The square is an open area with several buildings surrounding it. The square is surrounded by two walls and is filled with trees and flowers. The square was built by King Prithvi Narayan during the reign of his father, King Jaya Bhim Dev.
- Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. The temple is located in the village of Pashupatinath. The temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River and is surrounded by lush green paddy fields. The temple is popular for the annual festival held in the month of October.
- Swayambhunath Temple
Swayambhunath Temple is another important temple in Kathmandu. The temple is located in Kathmandu and is dedicated to Lord Buddha. The temple is also known as the ‘Monkey Temple’ because of the many monkeys that live there. The temple is very popular among tourists and is one of the must-visit places in Kathmandu.
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another major tourist attraction in Kathmandu. The square is also called the ‘Square of the Kings’. The square is located in Bhaktapur and is home to some of Nepal’s finest temples. The square is surrounded by several buildings including the famous palace of the kings. The palace is considered to be one of the finest examples of Nepalese architecture.
- Thamel
Thamel is another major tourist attraction in the city. Thamel is a small market that is popular among tourists. It is a place where you can find everything from food to souvenirs. The market is also popular for street performers who entertain the crowds.
- Durbar Marg
Durbar Marg is a major shopping area in Kathmandu. The area is popular for shops selling clothing, handicrafts, spices and other souvenirs. The area is also known as ‘Jewel Street’ because of the many jewellers who have set up shop in the area. The area is popular for its large number of restaurants and bars.
- Patan Museum
Patan Museum is another major tourist attraction in Nepal. The museum is located in the city of Patan and is home to some ancient artifacts and sculptures. The museum is also home to the Patan Darshan stupa, a Buddhist stupa dating back to the 6th century.
- Tibetan Refugee Camp
Tibetan Refugee Camp is a major tourist attraction in Kathmandu,u. The camp is home to refugees who fled Tibet in 1959. The refugees were housed in the camp until their freedom was granted in 1987. The camp is now a museum and is visited by tourists from around the world.
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