Kathmandu

Durbar Square

This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, 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 17th-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. 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.

Swayambhu Stupa

Swayambhu Stupa watches over the Valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. 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. Swayambhu is also known as Samhengu and is listed as a World Heritage Site. Entrance fee Rs. 50 (SAARC nationals Rs. 30).

Balaju

Balaju consists of a sprawling garden of stone waterspouts, religious shrines, fishponds, and a replica of the statue of . Situated below Nagarjun hill about 3 km northwest of the city center, Balaju is known for its bank of 22 stone water spouts (hiti) carved in the shape of sea-dragons. Devotees take ritual baths under the gush of water. Balaju is also known as Lhuti.

Budhanilkantha

Budhanilkantha is situated below Shivapuri hill at the northern end of the Valley. It is about 9 km from the city center. The hub of the temple complex is a pond in which lies a great stone figure of the Hindu god Vishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. It is also known as Bhuijasi.

Bouddhanath Stupa

Bouddhanath Stupa lies about 6 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu and is the largest stupa in the Valley. It looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design.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 thoughts pictured here.

Changu Narayan Temple

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 Vishnu. One of the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture, the temple is embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings. The sacred complex is a World Heritage Site.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple. One of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, Pashupatinath lies 5 km east of the city center. The richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva.

Chronicles indicate the 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.

Kirtipur

Kirtipur is situated on a ridge 6 km southwest of Kathmandu. The ancient township is a natural fortress and has a proud and courageous history. The Chilamchu stupa and the temple of Bagh Bhairav are major sights here. Kirtipur offers quaint streets lined with artistic houses and temple squares. The people are known for their skill in building and weaving.

Dakshinkali and Chobhar

The temple of Dakshinkali is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali and is one of the most popular places of worship in Kathmandu. Located 22 km from the city center on the southern rim of the Valley past Pharping village, the shrine is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal sacrifices are offered to the deity. On the way back, stop at Chobhar gorge. The narrow gash in the hills was made by Lord Manjushree to drain out the lake, which once covered the Valley.

Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square

Most of the cultural centers of Nepal are concentrated around the Kathmandu valley and among those cultural sites; the important one is the Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square. Located at the heart of ancient city Kathmandu, it is a complex of beautiful temples and shrines. The Durbar Square epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is the place where kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized.

The name Hanuman-dhoka Durbar came from the statue of Hanuman established by King Pratap Malla at the entrance of he royal palace in 1672 A.D. But after the erection of nine-storied temple residence by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1771, it began to be called Basantapur Durbar. The complex is also known as Kathmandu Durbar Square. The Durbar Square area is actually made up of two sub-areas. The outer complex is renowned for numerous interesting temples as Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap, Shiv-Parabati Temple, Jagannath Temple, Big Bell etc., while the inner complex comprises the old palace area, Hanuman-dhoka and its courtyards as Nasal Chowk, Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, Lohan Chowk, Mohan Chowk and others.

The Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace is included in the Protected Monument Zone along with other private buildings. This site had been listed in the World Heritage Site of UNESCO along with other six monument zones of the Kathmandu Valley in October 1979.