Things To Do In Kathmandu

Things to do in Kathmandu

The Kathmandu Valley holds seven UNESCO-listed monument zones, and the city is built around them. Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, is the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal: walk the kora, the clockwise circuit, at dusk with the pilgrims spinning prayer wheels, and climb to a rooftop café for the view (NPR 400).

Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, sits on a hill west of the city; climb the 365 steps of the eastern stairway for the view over the valley (NPR 200). Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal square, is still being restored after the 2015 earthquake; see the Hanuman Dhoka palace and the house of the Kumari, a young girl worshipped as a living goddess, who sometimes appears at her window (NPR 1,000).

Pashupatinath, on the Bagmati River, is Nepal's holiest Hindu temple; non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple, but can watch open-air cremations on the ghats from across the river, respectfully and without photographing mourners (NPR 1,000).

Patan, across the river, has the finest Durbar Square in the valley, with the excellent Patan Museum, and a quarter of Newar metalworkers. The Garden of Dreams, a restored neo-classical garden by Thamel, is a quiet escape.

For views of the Himalayas, go to Nagarkot for sunrise, or take a mountain flight past Everest.