Kathmandu is known as the city of temples. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. People around the world come to visit Nepal. Firstly land in Kathmandu as Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA) is the only international airport in Kathmandu. People coming with different goals, like going to Everest or visiting other places, must consider some of the things to do in Kathmandu.
Many tourists/travelers here for some days cannot decide where to go and what to do. If you planning to come to Kathmandu then there are many things to do to spend your time.
Yes, the city is fast-paced and busy at times. But there is a lot to find in the midst of all this. You can explore the food and culture. Plus, you can take a short ride to the outskirts to get away from the busy city life. There you can find peaceful places and connect with nature. Kathmandu Valley Weather is so energetic all the time.
In this blog, we discuss the Top 10 Things to Do in Kathmandu. So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
Boudhanath stupa is located in the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, 11km from the center. It is one of the popular places to visit near Kathmandu and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. The stupa holds significance for Buddhist people. They come there to pray and light the square every day; this adds to the beauty of the stupa. The environment is filled with the fragrance of juniper incense.
Many shops have various products. If you want souvenirs, this can also be a good place for shopping. The best time to visit the Boudhanath stupa is in the evening.
Swayambhunath temple is located on a high hilltop in the western part of Kathmandu. It is also one of the popular places to visit in Kathmandu. This temple was built in the 5th century. The name Swayambhunath means “self-created”. Tourists also call the temple “monkey temple”; as the name suggests, many monkeys are around this area.
There are several ways to enter the premises; the right entrance approach is from the eastern side. There are 350 steps you need to climb to get to the top. On the way to the top, you can also witness statues of lord buddha in his different forms. You can also find libraries, monasteries, and shrines on the grounds of Swayambhunath. So, this is a place one must visit.
Thamel is located on the northwestern side of Kathmandu. In today’s time, Thamel is one of the popular places though it didn’t hold much historical significance in Kathmandu’s history. It has a lot of pubs, bars, clubs, and diverse vendors.
A person can shop for various souvenirs and products in the daytime. During the night, the area is lit with neon lights. The nightlife of Thamel is alive with the movement of locals and tourists. You can find local and continental cuisines here. Thamel is the place where you will find bands performing live music. So, this place is also musical at night time.
Pashupatinath temple is located on the eastern side of Kathmandu. It is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pashupatinath is the ritual place of Nepal. It is a common pilgrim site for Hindu people around the world. People come here following their beliefs of reincarnation.
Pashupatinath temple consists of over 500 temples, pagodas, ashrams, and shrines, with a mix of Hindu, Buddhist, and Sadhus roaming freely. The river bank is a cremation site; cremations are openly done. This could be a completely new experience for people of other cultures or backgrounds. The time fixed for cremations is from 7 am to 10 am. An arati(fire worship) takes place at 6 pm; it is also an important part of the day.
Garden of Dreams is a few steps away from the urban chaos roads of Thamel. This was made in 1920 by Kaiser Shamser. The estates of England inspired him, so he designed this garden. It was restored to perfect shape with the help of the Austrian government.
You will find the original gate at the front. Once you go inside, you can witness a beautiful/peaceful place, a small lake, and pavilions with fountains at the front. This place is best for someone who wants to forget the busy city life.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is located in the central part of Kathmandu. Durbar Square is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It holds the historical significance of Kathmandu as it has been the crossroads of many kingdoms. It consists of historical buildings that reflect the culture and craftsmanship of the Newari people.
The historical buildings were damaged by the earthquake in 2015 but are completely restored now. It is a good place for someone to know about the history and culture of the ancient people of Kathmandu.
Kopan Monastery is located on the northeastern side of Kathmandu. It was established in 1970, a little later than other stupas. Kopan Monastery is home to 360 Buddhist monks. It is a peaceful place. There are giant bodhi trees in the ground, complemented by the beautiful garden, which is cared for properly.
There is also a chance to meditate with a Western teacher. One must arrive at 10 am if they want to meditate. There are many means of travel to reach Kopan monastery; you can take a local bus or taxi, or if you like walking, you can walk 8km from Thamel. One can view the entire Kathmandu valley from the monastery’s peace.
Narayanhiti Palace is located on the eastern side of Thamel. The buildings of Narayanhiti Palace were created in 1963 by King Mahendra. It was home to the reigning monarch until 2006. After the revolution of 2006, the palace was transformed into a museum.
It shows the history of the royals of Nepal, which includes the unforgettable royal massacre event.
The place is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. It has three sections. They are starting with the guest wing, where kings, queens, and national leaders worldwide spend the night. The second wing has a Throne room known as the State wing. The third section has the private rooms of the royals.
The furnishing of this place is straight out of the 60s. Visiting the place feels like going back in time.
This museum is located in the center of Kathmandu near Tripureshwor. This museum was developed and curated by Ram Pd. Kadel was inspired by the 1300+ musical instruments of 100 ethnic groups of Nepal. He has collected 650+ instruments and is so passionate that he is readily available to answer every question.
At the entrance, you can find the world’s biggest sarangi(Nepali traditional stringed instrument) to welcome you; another attraction is the serpentine trumpet Naagbeli. It is often visited and played by musicians.
Kathmandu is diverse, as people from all over Nepal and the world come here. So, there are many options you can try if you are a foodie. You can enter a fancy restaurant for continental food with a touch of Nepal or try authentic Newari food. There are street foods, too, if you’re more into fast food.
The food that is most popular in Kathmandu is momo(Dumpling). You can find varieties of momos and other foods in Kathmandu, there are a ton of foods you can eat. If you love to explore food, Kathmandu is a good place.
From busy urban roads in the city’s center to peaceful places just a ride away. Kathmandu has it all. You can go to clubs and bars if that’s yours or book a meditation course in a monastery. Kathmandu caters to a larger audience that has different tastes. So, yes, you can do a lot in Kathmandu.
In this blog, we will talk about the things to do in Kathmandu. if you want to know more about Kathmandu then explore here. if you want further insights into our website, check out some of our things to do blogs. And as always, thank you for reading till the end.
The various temples and monuments that beautify the landscape of Kathmandu are some of its famous things. Particularly, Pashupatinath temple is famous among pilgrims.
Here are the Top 10 Things to Do in Kathmandu:
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