Kathmandu : The City Connecting the Medieval and Ancient to Modern

Nestled in the Himalayan Terrains, Kathmandu offers a blissful experience to all of its tourists and visitors. It is the perfect mix of ancient and modern world and there are number of things to do and experience in the city. There are number of markets to shop till you drop and the chaos of the city is something that soaks in your soul. Kathmandu is known for some marvelous architecture and revives the spiritual connection through its culture and heritage. Here is the list of top 10 places to visit in Kathmandu:

1. Swayambhunath

The religious architecture is set on top of a hill in the Kathmandu Valley and one of most prominent Buddhist pilgrimage sites. It is a popular pilgrimage place and the temple complex consists of a stupa along with different types of shrines and temples, some even from the Licchavi period. The recent addition to the temple complex is a Tibetan Monastery, museum and a library. The iconography roots from Vajrayana tradition of Newar Buddhism and it is one of the oldest religious places in Nepal.

2. Durbar Square

The historic Durbar Square of Kathmandu is an ancient set-up that is located south of Thamel and is the place where the royal family lived till 19th century. The Durbar Square was made a UNESCO Word Heritage Site in the year 1979. Apart from the Royal Palace, there are many Hindu and Buddhist Temples around it that dates back from the 19th century. However the site has been damaged a lot during the earthquakes and not been restored efficient which reduced the number of tourists.

3. Garden of Dreams

The Garden of dreams is one of the serene and peaceful places to visit away from hustle and chaos of the city. The garden was originally established in the early 20th century and is a private garden of a high ranking official. It reflects a neo classical garden architecture and the entrance is within the Kaiser Mahal complex. The size of the garden is around 6,895 square meters and includes pavilions, amphitheater, central ponds, pergolas, urns, etc, It is one of the most sophisticated gardens in the city and was open for public in 2007.

4. Pashupatinath

The Pashupatinath Temple is dedicated towards Lord Shiva and is one of the most important religious sites in Asia for Shiva devotees. The temple was built in 5th century and was renovated by the Malla Kings in the 5th century. It is one of the largest temple complexes in Nepal and stretches on either side of Bagmati River, considered holy by Hindus. The temple has a main pagoda which has a gilded roof and four sides of the temples are covered in silver. The temple displays best of the wood carvings with intricate detailing. It is a UNESCO cultural heritage site of Kathmandu.

5. Boudhanath

This is one of the most majestic places to soak into the spiritual vibes and the soothing sparkling lights bring a sense of inner peace. It has an inspiring white dome that is surrounded by so much of positive energy. The devotees can light a butter lamp and offer prayer. It has a stupa of Boudhanath of around 36-meter high and is one of the largest stupas in South Asia. The stupa is built in the shape of Mandala and replicates the Gyangtse of Tibet.

6. Budhanilkantha Temple

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and thousands of people offer their prayers to the temple. The magnificent temple stands strong since 5th century which has an image of Lord Vishnu that looks similar to features of Lord Buddha. The intricate detailing of art work on the temple makes it even more beautiful. It is located at the foot of Shivpuri Hills which is located around 8km from the city and the shrine has largest stone statue of Lord Vishnu surrounded by serpents in a small pond, the status was carved in Lichchhavi period.

7. River Rafting at Trishuli River

It is one of the most exciting and riveting experience to river raft in the Trishuli River which connects Kathmandu to Pokhara. It is one of the most attractive and fascinating things to do as you river raft braving the huge currents and rapids. The white water rafting is undoubtedly a great experience and a fulfilling adventure activity. As you raft across the river, soak your soul into the natural and scenic beauty of the villages. It gives you a chance to enjoy the crystal clear water.

8. Tour to Bhaktapur

It is highly recommended to take a guided trip to Bhaktapur which is also known as “City of Devotees” and brings the right blend of ancient with modernism. The ancient city is set centuries old and there are number of temples and pagodas in and around the place. The temples are adorned with metal gates and resemble the doors of forts and fortress. It is home to some of the most intricate and brilliant carvings, pottery and weaving, perfect place for culture and heritage.

9. Langtang National Park

It is the 4th largest national park in Nepal and is a part of the Himalayan National Park. The National Park was established in the year 1976 and is situated at an altitude of 6,450 meters and transcends three districts in Nepal. The holy and sacred lake of Gosainkunda is present within the park and is one of the best places for star grazing. The Kathmandu Valley lies on the southern border of the park which is around 32 km away.

10. Narayanhity Palace

The palace is located in the city of Kathmandu and previously served as residence and workplace for Monarch of Kingdom of Nepal. The palace is the centre of state occasions and located towards the east of Kaiser Mahal which is next to Thamel. The palace is surrounded by impressive surrounding and number of gardens, courtyards and buildings. The current Durbar of the palace was built in 1963 by King Mahendra. The inside of the palace is divided into the guest wing, state wing and private wing.

◎ Closing

Kathmandu is the heart of Nepal and is known for its connecting thread between ancient and modern. The city is known for grandeur of religious architectures and attracts tourists and devotees from across the world and country.