6 Top Sightseeing Attractions of Kathmandu
Posted by Brightsun India on January 27th, 2020
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city of Nepal is also known as the “City of Temples”. Being a cosmopolitan civilization in the foothills of the Himalayas, it forms the very heart and life of the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley, and also serves as the gateway to extensive trekking and mountaineering expeditions in Nepal. Visitors embarking on their cheap holidays to Kathmandu can also explore the numerous cultural, religious and sightseeing hotspots in the city. Below are the top must-visit attractions in Kathmandu…
Swayambhu aka Monkey Temple: The temple complex of Swayambhunath atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley is home to numerous temples with admirable ancient carvings and a large stupa painted with Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows. The temple complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is revered in both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. The temple normally remains crowded with monkeys who delightfully mingle with the visitors, while a small restaurant here offers some tasty snacks for a refreshing vacation time.
National Museum of Nepal, Kathmandu: The National Museum of Nepal comprises of centuries-old buildings in Chhauni, Kathmandu. These buildings exhibit several historical and religious art works offering a good insight into the rich traditions of ancient as well as modern Nepal. The Buddhist Art Gallery here displays sculptures, paintings and ritualistic objects related to Buddhism, while the museum’s Juddha Jatiya Art Gallery and Historical Building are rich repositories of ancient art, cultural and painting traditions of Nepal.
Narayanhiti Palace Museum: The Narayanthiti Palace Museum in Kathmandu offers a royal treat to visitors with its impressive throne, glamorous interiors, huge banquet halls and wall mounted animal heads. Some of the palace walls here are poked with bullet holes that offer a grim reminder of the deadly massacre that saw 12 members of the royal family brutally murdered by the crown prince. Visitors can tour the museum every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays and also enjoy some delectable local fare at the food stalls here.
Durbar Square: Durbar Square is undoubtedly the main highlight of any excursion to Kathmandu. Its huge complex houses several Hindu and Buddhist temples and shrines. Intricate wooden carvings is the common feature of all these buildings, and visitors exploring their luxury holidays to Kathmandu can purchase a 1 day pass to explore the entire complex for around . Though some of the sites here have been blocked off for reconstruction after the 2015 earthquake, visitors can still admire the architectural grandeur and spend some leisure time at the courtyards of Durbar Square.
Boudha Stupa: Located on the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Boudha Stupa or Boudhanatha is one of the most sacred sites of Tibetan Buddhism. The stupa features a massive mandala and numerous small mandalas, and came into prominence in the 1950s when Tibetan refugees fled their homeland after religious persecutions by the Chinese officials. Currently, it overlooks the Kathmandu Valley as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and hosts great ceremonial spectacles on every full moon night.
Garden of Dreams: The Garden of Dreams is one of the most serene and beautiful attractions in Kathmandu. This neoclassical garden dates back to the 1920s, and emerged as a major tourist spot in the city after its restoration in 2007. It now houses a splendid marble gate, three pavilions, numerous ponds and fountains and a hidden garden. Kaiser Café here is a nice little restaurant for enjoying a meal or a drink, and visitors can also enjoy cultural events and exhibitions occasionally held within the premises of these splendid gardens.
This Nepalese capital city offers a good deal of religious, historical and cultural and hotspots for visitors from around the world. One can explore all of this with book luxury holidays to Kathmandu offered by Brightsun Travel.
