10
Dec
The top ten places to visit near Kathmandu before you die.
Kathmandu is and has been the epicenter of Nepal's beauty and the cynosure of the animated arena for many years, attracting crowds of tourists from all over the world. Kathmandu and its surrounding areas are ideal for connecting with nature and learning about different ethnicities. Typically, Kathmandu evokes images of trekking to the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, and strolling through the jungles, all of which require a significant amount of time and energy. There are far more options within easy reach of Kathmandu for those of you who aren't hard core trekkers and don't have much time to devote to trekking. Near Kathmandu, there are a number of interesting places to visit. The best part is that they are inexpensive to explore.
10 Places To Visit Near Kathmandu
Kathmandu has it all, from ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples to spice markets that will have you sneezing or buying exotic products by the kilo. At first glance, Kathmandu may appear 'crazy,' but behind the scenes, peace can be found by visiting Swayambhunath 'Monkey' Temple or Kopan Monastery, where you are bound to find a little piece of Nirvana. If food is your thing, there's a good chance you'll be salivating for more after trying momos or garlic soup (both of which are plentiful). Kathmandu is extremely crowded all year, so we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best places to visit in Kathmandu.
1. Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhnath (or Boudha), located 7 kilometers from Thamel, is possibly at the top of the list of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Kathmandu. Boudha is one of Asia's largest stupas (a Stupa is a place of worship where Buddhist generally visit for worship). Boudha is seriously impressive and can be seen from miles away, but when you get up close and personal with the thousands of pilgrims and tourists, it's truly an amazing sight to see. Boudha is said to have been built around 600AD, around the time the Tibetan King decided to convert to Buddhism, making it a very sacred place for Buddhists. Surprisingly, Boudha survived the devastating 2015 earthquake with little damage.
Boudha can get very crowded, and an insider told me that the best time to visit is just after dark, when locals gather to light butter lamps and burn incense. Don't miss this when deciding what to see in Kathmandu! Ka-Nying Sheldrup Ling Gompa, located slightly north of Boudhanath, is also Tibetan in nature and, like Boudhanath, is white. Ka-Nying Sheldrup Ling Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist learning center.
2. Swayambhunath
One of Kathmandu's most spectacular stupas, known to most as Monkey Temple, is perched above the city. Swayambhunath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and rightly so, as it is a beautiful historical site with some of the best accessible views of Kathmandu, essentially 360 degrees. Given its location, Swayambhunath is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu in my opinion. It's a must-see in Kathmandu. Prayer flags adorn the Swayambhunath stupa, which is surrounded by temples, stupas, and statues. Everything is so close together, and when you add people, it can get quite crowded, but don't let that deter you from visiting. The best time to visit Swayambhunath is early in the morning, around 7:30 a.m., when the skies are clear and there are fewer people at the stupa.
Walking around Swayambhunath is best done in a clockwise direction (kora), which also keeps you from running into people coming the other way. Swayambhunath, like Boudhanath, can be a little perplexing because there is so much going on. So here are a few quick tips to get you to the right places:
• Great Thuderbolt: Dorje's thunderbolt is a massive brass-made thunderbolt that represents enlightenment. This is located on the eastern stairwell.
• Eastern Stairway: Why not take the stairs if you're feeling fit? The eastern stairway, which leads directly to the great thunderbolt and stupa, was built in the 17th century. However, be cautious when ascending or descending these stairs because macaques may bite you or steal your food.
• Western Stupa: Take a left from the main entrance and meander the stone cobbled path until you come across a Gompa perched overlooking the mountains that surround Kathmandu.
• Buddha Amideva Park: The Buddha Amideva Park in Swayambhunath is one of the less visited areas, with three massive gold statues dedicated to Guru Rinpoche.
While you're here, you should check out the Natural History Museum, which is a rather odd attempt at a museum that you'd find in Trafalgar Square. The museum admission fee is 50 rupees, plus another 50 rupees for your camera.
3. Thamel
Thamel is a tourist hotspot in Kathmandu, complete with international restaurants, souvenir shops, hiking stores, and street vendors selling delectable cuisines. Thamel is probably the most popular of all Kathmandu tourist attractions, so expect street vendors to try to sell you flutes and a variety of exotic souvenirs. Thamel Central is the ultimate place to unwind in the city, and it is usually the first thing that visitors from other countries think of when deciding what to see in Kathmandu.
• Thamel Marg: Thamel Marg is the suburb's main street, and it's pretty cool to walk down it with draping prayer flags strung from building to building and the sound of singing bowls buzzing through the air mixed with a hint of incense (or the wafting smell of momo's). Many of the shops on Thamel Marg are the same, and the prices of souvenirs are consistent from one shop to the next.
• Mandala Street: This super chill street feels like it belongs in Melbourne's backstreets, complete with fairy lights, book stores, and cafes. Head upstairs to Himalayan Java Coffee and order a Honey Latte to sit above Mandala Street and watch the world go by.
4. Pasupatinath
Pashupatinath is a highly sacred Hindu temple perched on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, where you can see the holy men known as Sadhus creating crazy poses for the camera and eye-opening cremations along the river Bagmati. Pashupatinath, despite being quite pricey to enter, is one of the best places to visit near Kathmandu; the experiences available are truly incredible.
Begin your adventure by visiting Pashupatinath Temple, the area's largest gold-painted structure. You can't enter unless you're a Hindu, but just walking around the grounds gives you a good idea of what goes on inside the temple. The cremation Ghats along the Bagmati River are bound to move you in some way, so be prepared to see upsetting scenes. The ceremony itself is open to the public, but please be respectful and refrain from taking photographs or video, as this is a very difficult time for the families in attendance.
5. Garden of Dreams
The Garden of Dreams, located south of Thamel along Tridevi Marg and defined as 'neo-classical,' is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. The Garden of Dreams was built in the early 1920s as a place for locals and tourists to unwind and rejuvenate their bodies and souls.
It is quite a contrast to what is outside the gates, which includes green grass, ponds filled with lilies, and lush trees, all of which combine to form a mini botanical garden in the middle of Kathmandu. It's strange to see a European-inspired garden in Nepal, but having this little piece of paradise in one of Asia's busiest cities helps take your mind off all the crazy things going on outside the complex. It should be added to the list of amazing places to visit in Kathmandu.
6. Kopan Monastery
This is a hidden gem among the less visited monasteries. The Kopan Monastery is located above Kathmandu and offers breathtaking 180-degree views. Kopan is a Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site where pilgrims and tourists seeking relaxation and meditation come to visit, and it has grown in popularity in recent years due to its stunning architecture.
As a result, Kopan Monastery is one of the most distinctive places to visit near Kathmandu. Kopan Monastery currently houses 360 students, teachers, monks, and lamas who come to learn Tibetan Buddhism.
7. Kumari Bahal
The Kumari Devi is a living goddess who is revered by the people of Kathmandu. Unless you are attending the Indra Jatra Festival in September, it is often difficult to catch a glimpse of this young girl; however, the Kumari Bahal (house of the Kumari) can be seen by visiting Durbar Square. Why would you want to see the Kumari's house? The building itself is quite architecturally stunning, with a three-story courtyard in which the Kumari can be seen wandering.
Please keep in mind that photographing or filming the girl herself is strictly prohibited.
8. Chabahil Stupa
Heading northeast out of Kathmandu (from Thamel), you'll come across Chabahil Stupa, a smaller version of Bodhnath and Swayambhunath that was damaged in the 2015 earthquake but has since been restored to its original state.
The Chabahil Stupa is not as crowded as the larger stupas, giving you more space to explore without running into anyone.
9. Durbar Square
Durbar Square is located south of Thamel and was unfortunately severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is sometimes confused with the village of Bhaktupur.
Durbar Square is a collection of temples, stupas, and the occasional Sadhu. Durbar Square is about 700 meters from Thamel, and once there, you can explore some of the larger temples or simply sit back and watch people feed pigeons.
With all of the different structures, it can be quite overwhelming, so here are a few places to visit in Durbar Square to help you out:
Seto (White) Bhairab: Seto (White) Bhairaba, a large carving of an odd-looking creature said to have been made in 1794, is popular among pilgrims during the Indra Jatra festival in September.
Jagannath Temple: One of the oldest buildings in Durbar Square, with strange, erotic carvings on the roof struts and three doors that appear to lead to the temple but only one opens.
Taleju Temple: Taleju Temple is regarded as the most magnificent temple in Durbar, but it is inaccessible to both Hindus and tourists. Taleju is 35 meters tall and contains 12 smaller temples surrounded by four gates.
Indrapur Temple: Nobody knows for certain which God this temple was built. Some say it's for Shiva, while others say it's for Vishnu, and we still don't know.
Mahendreshwar Temple: This temple is dedicated to the God Shiva and is topped with a golden umbrella. Despite its unusual appearance, the Mahendreshwar Temple is always buzzing with pilgrims. Durbar Square is one of the most well-known Kathmandu attractions and, as such, should not be missed!
10. Bhaktapur
The awe-inspiring medieval city of Bhaktapur is located within the confines of Kathmandu valley, about a 30-minute drive from Thamel. During the Malla period, it was the capital of Nepal until the second half of the 15th century. This city was once famous for its magnificent craftsmanship, cultures, and temples, and it still retains that identity. Bhaktapur is still a popular tourist destination for archaeologists because it is home to numerous architectural monuments and temples. Strolling through the streets of this magnificent city transports you back to Nepal's ancient times.
Get ready to experience a montage of wonderful places near Kathmandu that will leave you with unforgettable memories. You will undoubtedly enjoy visiting these fascinating places near Kathmandu, especially since you will be able to do so in a very short period of time and at a very low cost.
