Top Places to Visit in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is one and only metropolitan city with more than 3 million population. It is situated at height of 4600 feet above sea level. Kathmandu is also known as the "city of temples" as it is rich in medieval temples, shrines, monasteries that gives you the flavor of how Nepal used to be in past.
You will be amazed to know that Kathmandu is home to seven world heritage sites enlisted by UNESCO. Similarly, Kathmandu is home of some of the oldest culture, traditions and peculiar festivals that will leave speechless. The fluttering prayer flags at the highest spot in temples, shrines and stupas, the traditional instruments music are other things that you might be interested in.
Here are some of exciting places to visit in Kathmandu (Kathamandu Day Tour, City Sightseeing Tour):Kathmandu Durbar Square:
Kathmandu Durbar Square also famous as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square is highly architectonic. It is one of the world sites among seven world heritage sites inside Kathmandu valley. It is divided into two sub areas: the outer complex and inner complex. The inner complex home for numerous country yards whereas the outer complex is rich in ancient temples like Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap, Shiva-Parbati Temple and many more. Similarly, Kathmandu Durbar Square is rich in numerous small temples build in pagoda style that is rich in handicraft. It is center for the celebration of some major festivals like Indra Jatra, Gai Jatra and some others.
Pashupatinath Temple:
Near the Tribhuvan International Airport, there lies another world heritage site considered to be the most sacred religion site of Hindus. It is the largest temple of Nepal and offers every visitor with religious, cultural and spiritual experience. There are around 492 temples, 15 Shivalayas and 12 Jyotilinga that have important religious aspect to Hindus. The holy Bagmati river flows through the Pashupati and people believe that when they bath in it, it will remove their sins. It is center for one of the biggest festival Maha Festival.
Swayambhunath:
Swayambhunath also known as Monkey temple and situated on the top of the hill and offers a gorgeous view of whole Kathmandu valley. It is believed that, when Kathmandu valley was a lake, Swayambhunath used to be an island. Within Swayambhunath there is a large Stupa with Buddha eyes gazing sleepily, surrounded by small temples, chaityas. It is also inhabitant of hundreds of monkeys which eventually gave Swayambhunath name of "Monkey Temple". It is considered as symbol of peace and center for prayers.
Boudhanath:
Boudhanath is another destination that is near the Tribhuvan International Airport. It is just 2.2 miles from airport. It is the largest spherical stupa with massive mandala. It is considered to be a center for meditation of Buddhist people. Boudhanath resides at centre surrounded by countless monasteries. You will see white dome structure with a golden spire that has Buddha’s eyes overlooking the whole Kathmandu city. It is believed that the prayer wheels around the stupas are for spinning and sending prayers and whishes straight to heaven.
Thamel:
Thamel is a commercial place that provides you with each and every item needed for trekking. It is believed that to be tourist hub in Kathmandu. The street of Thamel is crowded and narrow that leads to various travel agencies, hotels, small grocery stores, foreign money exchange. Similarly, Thamel offers you almost every kind of traditional as well as continental cuisine that might want to try. It is the only place that never sleeps at night at Kathmandu valley.
Garden of Dreams:
Garden of Dreams is located at Kaiser Mahal, Kathmandu near Thamel, and the most popular tourist hub of Kathmandu. It is classical garden created by Late Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana in the early 1920s. It was designed by Edwardian style of Singha Durbar.
The garden is full of beautiful water fountain, decorated furnished woods and other features like verandas, pergolas. It’s famous because of its unique design. The garden offers you varieties flowers and other plants like bamboo that spread the natural scent in the air. Similarly, Garden has enough furniture for you to relax and enjoy this combination of man-made and natural things.