Kathmandu Valley in Nepal

In the heart of Nepal, surrounded by towering mountains, lies the Kathmandu Valley. This plain serves as the cultural center of Nepal - where city life intertwines with ancient relics. Experience the ancient royal cities of Nepal and gain insight into the country's culture.

The Kathmandu Valley resembles a place from a long-forgotten world, yet today it is home to over 1.5 million Nepalese. Here, the past and present collide. Millennia-old temples, shrines, and palaces await your visit. At about 1,300 meters above sea level, the valley spans approximately 950 km² and includes not only the three royal cities of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur but also several other locations. Discover the heart of Nepal and explore the beautiful Kathmandu Valley!

Nepal's capital is also the largest city in the country. The former Kingdom of Kathmandu now accommodates about one million residents and is the bustling center of Nepal. The narrow streets are crowded and noisy, but still beautiful. Ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples give the city an extraordinary charm. As you stroll through the lively streets, you can experience Nepal at its finest. Be sure to try the fantastic street food and gain insight into Nepalese culture!

As one of the three former royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley, you'll find an ancient royal palace in Kathmandu, just like in Patan and Bhaktapur. The absolute highlight is the adjoining Durbar Squares, which belong to the palace and feature quite a bit to see. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is home to over 50 temples, shrines, and pagodas dedicated to various Hindu and Buddhist gods. The palace dates back to the 16th century and parts of it can be visited. This area of Kathmandu is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

To enter the square and the palace, an admission fee of 1,000 NPR is required, which is about $8. This may seem somewhat expensive by Asian standards, but many ancient buildings and landmarks in the Kathmandu Valley were destroyed or damaged in a major earthquake in 2015. The entrance fee helps to preserve and restore the beautiful sacred structures. Across from the Durbar Square, you can test your bargaining skills at Basantapur Square, where local goods and tourist souvenirs are sold. Also, remember: bargaining is a must! Discounts of 30 to 50 percent are realistic.

The Pashupatinath temple complex is considered the most important Hindu pilgrimage site in Nepal and is located at the eastern edge of Kathmandu. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can be visited from the outside. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, but you can catch a glimpse of the ghats from outside. These serve as ritual bathing spots and even cremation sites. The ghats of the lower castes are regularly in use, while those of the Nepalese upper class have a purely symbolic character.

Better known as the Monkey Temple, the Swayambhunath Temple is one of the most popular excursion spots in Kathmandu. It is located on a hill where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the valley. Due to its animal residents, it is considered a unique highlight. However, be cautious, the little macaques are always on the lookout for food. You should keep your bags tightly closed and preferably avoid carrying loose items like sunglasses. The Buddhist temple in the west of the city is considered one of the oldest in the world and is estimated to be around 2,500 years old. Characteristic is the large stupa with painted eyes. From here, Buddha watches over the city.

In the Boudhanath district, also known as Bodnath, the large stupa of Kathmandu rises majestically. It is about 36 meters high and is surrounded by a ring wall, into which small statues and prayer wheels are embedded everywhere. Spin the wheels clockwise (in the direction of the Earth's rotation around the sun) and let yourself be enchanted by the impressive stupa.

The city of Patan is now physically part of Kathmandu. Although separated by the Bagmati River, they are framed by a common ring road. The oldest of the three royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also known as Lalitpur, Patan was once a kingdom and therefore also has its own royal palace and the associated Patan Durbar Square. You can partially visit the three-part royal palace with its flanking lion statues, but you must pay an entrance fee of about $8 first.

But let me tell you this: the entrance is worth it! In the square, you will find many small temples and shrines that are adorned with intricate carvings, giving them a very special architectural charm. Be sure to check out the octagonal Krishna Temple and the Vishwanath Temple.

The temple complex Kwal Bahal, better known as the Golden Temple, is located in the Kumbeshwar district and should definitely be on your list as well. It got its name from its numerous gold and copper decorations. With its detailed carvings, it is a special gem and even the oldest temple in all of Patan.

In the eastern part of the Kathmandu Valley lies Bhaktapur, the city of the pious. In Nepal's third largest city, you can expect a similar program as in Kathmandu and Patan.

As the last of the three royal cities in the valley, you can also visit the Royal Palace and the Bhaktapur Durbar Square here. Bhaktapur is a bit quieter than the other two royal cities. There is significantly less hustle and bustle, although the pretty temples and shrines are also a bit more modest. Here you also pay about $12 to enter the square. Whether it's worth it to enter the city after visiting Kathmandu and Patan is something everyone must decide for themselves. Besides the royal palace, you can visit the Changu Narayan Temple, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, and the intricately decorated Vishnu Temple. Or you can browse one of the pottery and handicraft markets.

The slightly smaller place Narayanthan is often referred to by the name of its famous Hindu temple, Budhanilkantha. The highlight of the temple is the roughly six-meter-long reclining statue of the sleeping god Vishnu. He is resting on the nine-headed serpent Ananta and is adorned with flowers year-round. Only Hindus can enter the temple, but from the outside, the temple makes quite an impression and you can admire the sleeping Vishnu.

Thimi, also known as Madhyapur, is a very small village in the Kathmandu Valley. Here, you can experience Nepal away from tourism. In this original place, it seems like time has stood still. Experience the village life of the Nepalese up close, grab freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, and admire the traditional architecture.

The Kathmandu Valley is an important relic of long-past times. It tells a compelling story of the former political structures of the country and seems to spring from a distant fairy tale with its countless intricately decorated temples. Some may wonder if one can tire of all the stupas, temples, and shrines. For my part, I was as fascinated by the Nepalese structures as I have rarely been in any other place. Amid quiet high plateaus and endless expanses, the Kathmandu Valley seems to be a place of life and history, framed and protected by the mighty Himalayas. Therefore, you should not miss a trip to Nepal!