Places to Visit in Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. It has long been a favorite of visitors from around the world. The city is home to several World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu is home to several different theaters. These include the Himalayan Theatre, Ganga Theatre, and National Dance Theater. Other theaters in the city are the Aarohan Theater Group, and the Kathmandu International Theater Festival. In addition to the theaters, Kathmandu has a variety of cinemas. Several are modern and in English. Movies cost about 300 rupees for a ticket. They are a great way to escape the crowds.

The city is also a major center for agriculture. Many of the townspeople work in this sector. Some of the areas that were damaged during the earthquake are being repaired. A number of Hindu shrines are scattered throughout the valley. There are hundreds of temples. The garden of six senses is a great place to relax and unwind. This is an oasis in the middle of the bustling city. Here, you can find cafes, restaurants, and shops. You can also get some Himalayan coffee. Some of the major attraction of  the city are listed below.

Pashupatinath Temple

The Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Asia. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

This temple is built in a pagoda style. In fact, it is considered to be the largest temple complex in Nepal. You will find four hundred smaller temples within its grounds.

The temple is one of the most revered places for Lord Shiva devotees. During certain times of the year, the Pashupatinath Temple is visited by thousands of people. If you want to experience this, you should go to the temple during the three days of Teej.

Unlike other temples, you cannot enter Pashupatinath without a ticket. The ticket is sold at the entrance gates. Non-Hindus are not allowed to visit the temple.

For Hindus, the temple is the spiritual centre of the land. The temple has a sanctum that is surrounded by Sadhus. These are holy men who live ascetic lives. They are also called Babas. They are selected for the priesthood by the Raj Guru of the Pashupatinath Temple.

Boudhanath Stupa

If you’re looking for a place to visit in Kathmandu, you may want to check out Boudhanath Stupa. This is a famous Buddhist monument in Nepal and is also considered a World Heritage Site. It is the largest spherical stupa in Asia.

The stupa has an enormous dome in the middle. It is surrounded by thankas and a ring of prayer wheels. At night, lamps illuminate the stupa. You can go inside to see the white dome.

When you’re here, you can participate in puja services, meditate, or watch Tibetan dance performances. There is also a gift show. Boudhanath is also home to the largest Tibetan refugee community in the country. They live in the area around the stupa. In the 1950s, a Chinese invasion caused many Tibetans to flee to Nepal. Today, there are over twenty monasteries in the area.

The Buddha stupa was built in the 14th century. It is surrounded by a ring of prayer wheels, and contains a number of Buddha statues and relics. Visitors can find out more about Boudhanath Stupa by hiring a guide. A guide will be able to explain the history of the site, as well as lead you to some of the local restaurants and shops.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhu is one of the most sacred sites in Nepal, a holy site for both Buddhists and Hindus. It is an ancient site, built more than 1500 years ago. Swayambhu has two main entrances. The eastern entrance has stray dogs, a garden and a pond, while the western entrance has three large golden Buddha statues. There is a 365-step stairway to reach the stupa. The top of the stupa is decorated with pentagonal torans. These torans contain figurines of the Buddha and a lightning bolt.

During a 2010 renovation, the dome of the stupa was gilded with 20 kilograms of gold. This is said to have brought good luck to the people. One of the most important festivals in Swayambhu is Lhosar, a Buddhist New Year celebration. This is held in February. People visit the temple to ask the Lord for protection. During this festival, monkeys are said to frolic at night.

In addition to the main stupa, there are several smaller buildings surrounding the main structure. Some of the outlying structures were damaged during the 2015 earthquake.

Thamel

Thamel is one of the most popular places to visit in Kathmandu. It is known for its nightlife and restaurants. If you want to find the best local and international food, you can stop by at some of the eateries here.

There are plenty of things to do in Thamel, but it is also a great place for a quiet night out. The neighborhood has a number of clubs, bars, and pubs. They often have live music and great food.

During the day, Thamel is a bustling shopping center. You can get souvenirs, clothing, and trekking gear. And if you want to catch a movie, you can go to the Chaya Center Complex.Aside from the aforementioned movie center, there are other entertainment options to be found in Thamel. One of the most interesting is a fountain with a lotus flower. Another is a food court.

Thamel is a bustling area full of tourists and backpackers. However, it is relatively safe. As long as you do not get lost, you should be fine.

Kopan Monastery

Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a popular attraction for tourists who are interested in Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.

The monastery offers various courses and retreats to people interested in Tibetan Buddhist study. There are various options to choose from, including courses that last for a week or month, and short-term classes for one or two weeks.

Courses are designed to improve your meditation skills and increase your understanding of the Dharma. They also incorporate a vegetarian diet.

Kopan is part of the international network of Gelugpa dharma centers. Kopan is a place of spiritual teachings, and it’s known to produce compassionate individuals.

During your stay, you’ll be able to attend morning meditation sessions at the Monastery. You can also visit the library and join in various Dharma-related activities.

Kopan is also home to several teachers, lamas, and workers. Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche founded the monastery. Kopan has a policy to ensure the safety and health of its staff. In order to make sure that your visit to the Monastery is a safe and positive experience, you need to follow the instructions on the visitor’s guide.

Garden of Dreams

The Garden of Dreams is one of the most beautiful gardens in Kathmandu. Located in the middle of the city, this garden is an oasis of greenery. It features large ponds, pergolas, fountains, and a sunken flower garden.

This beautiful garden is perfect for families or couples who are looking for a place to spend time alone or to spend a day or two with friends. It is also an ideal location to learn about the history of Nepal.

The Garden of Dreams is open to visitors from 9 AM to 10 PM everyday. Tickets cost Rs. 150 for Nepalese citizens and NPR 400 for foreigners. However, if you are a member, you can enter for free. The Garden of Dreams is also an ideal location to watch cultural performances or classical concerts. In fact, the venue often hosts these events. If you are visiting the city in the spring, summer, or fall, this garden is definitely worth a visit.

The garden is divided into two sections. One is located in the center of the Garden of Dreams complex, while the other is in the northwestern section. Each section contains pavilions that are dedicated to one of the six seasons of Nepal.

Durbar Square Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar Squares of Nepal. The square consists of a number of ancient buildings that are a part of the palace complex in Hanuman Dhoka, the royal palace of the Nepalese kings. It is considered a world heritage site by UNESCO.

In addition to the palaces in the square, there are several temples to be seen. They include the Kasthamandap temple, which was built in the 7th century. There is also the Trailokya Mohan temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Another popular temple is the Mahadev Temple, which is said to be the home of Hindu god Mahadev.

Some of the other places of interest are Kumari Chok, which houses the Raj Kumari, a living incarnation of the mother goddess Durga. Her appearance is said to bring blessings to those who visit her. She is usually carried around in a gilded chariot during festivals.

Also on the southern edge of the square is the Kumari Bahal temple, which is a house to the Kumari Devi. The temple is built in the shape of a pyramid.

Hanuman Dhoka Temple

If you are looking for places to visit in Kathmandu, the Hanuman Dhoka temple is a must-visit. Located in the Kathmandu Durbar Square, it is one of the major tourist attractions in the city.

The complex includes a temple, a palace and a museum. It is spread across five acres. This site gets its name from a stone image of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman.

King Pratap Malla installed a statue of Hanuman in 1672. He believed that a prophetic dream made him install the statue in two places. One of the locations is the entrance of the Hanuman Royal Palace, while the other is in the courtyard of the palace.

The standing statue of Hanuman is decked with a red umbrella. His orange-vermillion paste was applied by generations of devotees. In addition to the temple, the palace has a museum that displays artifacts from the history of Nepal.

Another place to visit is the Tribhuvan Museum. The museum exhibits artifacts from the late King Mahendra’s grandfather, Bir Bikram Shah. There are also many beautiful thrones and weapons on display.