Last Updated on April 18, 2020 by Treks Planner Nepal

Kathmandu is a city that was founded in a vast valley after draining a large lake as per the legends say and where the ancient traditions of this city are passionately conserved while embracing the modern technological advancements. This is a city where one gets a chance to witness the unity in diversity as many people from different caste, ethnicity, and religion, race living together in harmony and where the Gods and people share the same street. Truly a city of monuments, temples, stupas in every chowks and street. A city of various political influence and cultural embrace.

In this ever so culturally and traditionally rich place one has many options to go to and soak in and learn the historical past and tradition of those places. Here is the list of the places that you need to visit while inside the Kathmandu Valley.

1. Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is enlisted in the “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and is also popularly known as Hanuman Dhoka square. It is one of the major attractions in Kathmandu Valley as most of the cultural centers of Nepal are concentrated around the Kathmandu valley; Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square among those cultural sites is the most important one. The statue of Hanuman established by his majesty King Pratap Malla at the entrance of the royal palace in 1672 A.D was what influenced “The name Hanuman-dhoka Durbar”. The famous Basantapur Durbar Palace was built under the reign of the great “Shah Dynasty” ruler King Prithvi Narayan shah in 1770 which is also known as Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is located at the heart of the ancient city in Kathmandu and is surrounding both Hindu and Buddhist temples. Most of the monuments that date back to the 15th to 18th century are mostly embellished in pagoda style with very intricate exterior carvings. The religious and culturally rich life of the people is emphasized with its historic palaces, temples, and traditions. Other interesting things which cannot be missed once you’re in Kathmandu are “Kumari (The Living Goddess) Gar” “Kastha Mandap” Maru Ganesh, Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old Palace, Saraswati Temple, Krishna Octangular Temple, Big drums, Kal Bhairav, Jagannath Temple, and Taleju Temple, etc.

2. Swayambhunath Temple

The name “Swayambhunath” is termed after the word “Self-Created” and history mentions the stupa is from back 5th century when the valley was made out of an out of an antiquated lake. Most usually uttered as “Monkey Temple” the Swayambhunath is one of the excellent landmarks on Kathmandu valley which is enrolled at the world heritage site. Arranged on a peak, this wonderful holy spot showcases a constraining white stupa with entrancing Buddha eyes and a sparkling golden spire. One of the most prominent spots in the city, The Swayambhunath viewpoint also recommends the shocking landscape of the Kathmandu valley.

3. Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square is the next fabulous destination which is one of the three Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley, incorporated into UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Durbar Square is a wonder of Newar architecture with a tiled floor using red blocks. There are numerous sanctuaries and symbols in the area and most meaningful structures are the Golden Temple of 14th century, the octagonal Krishna sanctuary of 16th century and the Shankar Narayan sanctuary with two elephants at its passage. The acclaimed Patan Museum displays bronze and copper statues of gods from both the Buddhist and Hindu conventions.

4. Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another spectacular space which is one of the three Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley, incorporated into UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The recorded landmark on around displays medieval age culture and convention of Nepal and this old city is occupied by the indigenous Newar community of huge gathering. While the attractions comprise of no less than four unmistakable squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square) the entire domains are casually identified Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

5. Pashupatinath Temple

Pinpointed on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is an exceptionally sacred Hindu temple erected of two-storied in the 15th century back where you can glimpse stunning the heavenly men known as “Sadhus” in an extraordinary piece of clothing. This “extensive Hindu sanctuary domain is a sprawling gathering of sanctuaries, ashrams, pictures, and engravings raised throughout the hundreds of years. Vaishnava temple with a Rama sanctuary from the 14th century and the Guhyeshwari Temple built in the 11th century likewise lies throughout Pashupatinath.

6. Kopan Monastery Gumba

The monastery was primarily established by the FPMT’s authors, Lamas Thubten Yeshe and Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, who bought the property from Nepal’s regal astrologer and set up around the 19th century. Without any doubt, it is reflecting it’s identity as Kopan Monastery pursuing the Tibetan influence. Monastery situated on the top of the hill is a pleasant place where you can investigate and gain knowledge about Buddhism along this monastery is considered an excellent point for its books on Buddhist psychology and philosophy.

7. Bouddhanath Stupa

The most appreciated spot to explore all through Kathmandu valley is “Boudhanath Stupa” (One among the largest stupas in the planet) which was constructed back during the 14th century. It is additionally enrolled on the rundown of the world heritage site as well. The vast Buddha eyes on stupa and the colorful praying flags creates distinctive eye-catching outline all through stupa. Amazing belief and Buddhist text declare that Boudhanath stupa dominates the skyline. From throughout the world, this destination is identified as the imperative destination for whole Buddhist minions.

8. Royal Botanical Garden

Royal Botanical Garden established back in the 18th century is a garden dedicated to the collection, cultivation, and showcase of an extensive variety of plants displayed with their botanical names along with conservation of birds. It contains authority for plant collection, and it displays huge desert flora and fauna, herb gardens, plants from specific parts of the world, et cetera. The place is interesting and incredible for strolling along with its goal for instructive presentations, workmanship shows, book rooms, outside dramatic and melodic exhibitions, and other stimulation.

9. Thamel Street

Displaying core populace of Newar community Thamel is Kathmandu’s extraordinary hotspot holding unique boulevards holding narrow streets decorated with colorful praying flags and completed with international and local restaurants serving whole assortments of dishes including Nepalese nourishment and liquors with live music band exhibitions moreover souvenir shops loaded up with Nepal unique melodic instrument, handcrafted customs, tattoo corners, religious antiques like singing bowl are magnetic. Additionally, Thamel is a definitive place to chill out in the city.

10. Garden Of Dreams

The delightfully established garden pronounced as “Swapna Baigicha” is recognized as “Garden of Dreams”. It’s a well-known destination all through the crowded city for investing time to get out of stress for finding peace in Kathmandu to visit offers rest and restoration from the worries of the world. It is a standout amongst the most stunning spots on the planet, holding marble engraving, lovely wellsprings and lakes, hidden garden and countless moreover. The garden was worked in the 1920s and has been brought back into life by the Austrian financed group and still.