Sightseeing destinations around Kathmanndu valley offers Nepal’s historical and cultural glimpse which includes two other neighboring cities Patan and Bhaktapur specially these are most visited spots due to their own reorganization. Besides Nepal’s country side other destinations are also major places of interest among visitors some of them are Pokhara Annapurna Rigion for short and long hike, Everest Region to explore Sherpa Land, Chitwan for wildlife safari tour, Lumbini birth place of Lord Buddha, Nagarkot, Daman and Sarankot for sunrise & sunset views as well Bandipur, Gorkha and Nuwakot etc. Here some of the most visited spots of Nepal are described in brief.
Major destinations to visit in Nepal
Chitwan - (Chitwan National Park)
Chitwan National Park is expanded across an area of 932 sq. kilometers and lies in the inner Terai belt of Chitwan district. It is probably Asia’s best one for wildlife safari tour destination and is established in 1973 A. D. as well country's first national park belongs to UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Due to easy accessibility both from Kathmandu and Pokhara and well managed eco-resorts facilities made most visited tourist spot of the country. The park offers wide variety of wildlife in nature as well some rarest species of animals found on planet. Travelers can enjoy real fun filled adventure encounter with one horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, wild elephant, black beer together canoe ride on Rapti River can see crocodiles and many colorful birds.
Lumbini
The birthplace of Lord Buddha Lumbini lies in the southern Terai plains of Nepal and is about 300 kilometers Southwest of Kathmandu. The holy site Lumbini as being birthplace of Lord Buddha regarded as a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhist religion people. In 250 BC, Emperor Ashoka built a large stone pillar containing an inscription about the birth of the Buddha which is main remaining proof for entire world to now the reality of the place. There is a museum and a research center for Buddhism and beautiful many newly built monuments. Most popular of them are- Peace Pagoda, Lumbini Garden, Maya Devi Temple, Tara Foundation, World China Temple, Thai Monastery, Burmese (Myanmar) Temple, Nepal Buddha Temple and Dharmaswami Buddhist monastery are the major attractions of Lumbini.
Pokhara
Nepal’s second large tourist hub Pokhara lies 200 KM away in mid west and is a most popular holiday destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. The most beautiful less crowded city offers amazing mountain views as well boating on Fewa Lake. Mainly trekking to the Annapuna Region most of them are halt there before and after the trip. It has nice Lake Side market and facilated with many hotels, guest house and restaurants. The Devil's Fall, Mahendra cave, International Mountaineering Museum and the gorge of the Seti River are the other sprinkled places for sightseeing. After entering Pokhara you will be totally fascinated by true ambience of nature and its exquisite beauty.
National Museum
Nepal’s national museum is situated at Chhauni in Kathmandu which is close to famous monkey temple (Swoyambhunath Stupa) and it was established in 1938. National Musiem has preserved many artistic masterpieces, artifacts, sculptures, historical pictures of former royal family and martyrs, large number of geographic evidences and ancient monuments etc are showcased. Travelers can visit this museum to know about and understand real history, culture and tradition of Nepal.
Swoyambhunath – The Monkey Temple
The most popular as a monkey temple (Swayambhunath Stupa) lies 3 km away from west of Kathmandu on small hill. It is also most visited Buddhists monument and holy shrine for both Hindu and Buddhists which was built by King Manadeva first. In 14th century Mughals from Indian sub continent attacked the Kathmandu valley and destroyed most of the historical monuments. Later it again renovated and during Malla Dynasty’s king Pratap Malla in 17th century enhanced the architecture also added rocky steps to get to the Stupa. At present day, the Stupa is a solid hemisphere of brick and clay, underneath an arrogant conical spire capped by a pinnacle of bronze and copper and has Lord Buddha’s eyes adorned on all the four sides of the spire base. Besides from the hill top travelers can enjoy wonderful views of entire Kathmanadu valley.
Bouddhanath Buddhist Stupa
The most remarkable monument of Buddhism was built in the 5th century A.D. during the ancient Licchavi Dynasty’s king Man Dev who also introduce first metric system in Nepal. Now it is belongs to UNESCO World Heritage Site which is one of the world’s biggest octagonal stepped stupa and popular shrine for both Buddhist and Hindu religious people as well one of main tourist attraction of Nepal. The entire Stupa of around has many other sects’ monasteries (Gompas & Chaityas) and many devotees pray, fire incenses, lit butter lamps and creak prayer wheels together chants of monk which makes ambience of a place centre to nirvana.
Pashupatinath Temple
The Pashupatinath temple is a temple of Lord Shiva and is the holiest shrine for Hindus. The sacred temple lies on the bank of holy Bagmati River 5 km east of Kathmandu city. Non-Hindus are strictly prohibited from entering the temple. The temple has two-tiered roof and four silver doors and opens its doors early morning and evening for pooja. Devotees from all over the world come here to pay their homage to lord Shiva as well pilgrimage their visit.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The ancient city Bhaktapur lies on the Eastern part of Kathmandu valley which is also known as Bhadgaon or Khwopa, Bhaktapur. It is regarded as the abode of traditional Nepali culture, custom and unique arts of wooden and potteries. The historical monument on around signifies medieval age culture and tradition of Nepal and this old city is inhabited by indigenous Newari people in large group. The main attractive monuments are Nyatapola Temple, statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Peacock Window, Golden Gate and fifty-five windowed palace of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. To visit this ancient place requires foreign tourists have to pay $10 as entry fee and only NRs 50 for nationals from China and SAARC nationalities.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is situated in center of Kathmandu Valley. It is also known as Lalitpur, houses the residence of the former Patan royal family. Patan Durbar Square and its surroundings are good specimen of ancient Newari architecture. It has changed little since this drawing was made in 1885 to illustrate Gustav LeBon's, Voyage au Nepal. The image on the near pillar, erected in 1693, is a gilded portrait of King Yoganarendra Malla, successor to Srinivasa for whom the Patan Museum's gilded throne was made. In devotional attitude he faces a temple consecrated to the royal tutelary deity, Taleju. Atop the far pillar, erected in 1637, the gilt sunbird Garuda makes obeisance to Krishna, a manifestation of Vishnu. The earliest extant structure on the square, a temple to Vishnu, is dated 1566, but this crossroads has been Patan's center for millennia.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The UNESCO world heritage site-Kathmandu Durbar Square is well renowned as Hanuman Dhoka Palace which is Nepal’s most popular site as a historical and cultural heart. The main palace and monuments of around built in medieval age by Malla Dynasty kings. The antique historical palace bears Nepal’s former reminisce of Royal family, traditional culture, authentic architecture and arts as well main festive ceremonial site. It was also until 1886 palace for Shah Dynasty and thereafter shifted to Narayanhiti palace. The most astonishing palace and of around to explore Tribhuvan Museum, Nine storey Basantapur Tower, Hanuman Temple, Taleju Temple, huge Kal Bhairab statue, Kumari-Living Goddess Temple, Kasthamandap, and 17th century old stone inscriptions which is written in 15 different languages as well amazing wooden art carvings.
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