Kathmandu continues to enchant us…

Located in the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood that serves as the tourist hub of the city. It is a bustling maze of narrow streets teeming with shops offering colorful textiles, traditional handicrafts, and trekking gear. It also has an extensive selection of restaurants, cafes, bars, and entertainment venues. Formerly known as Tabitha Bahal, the maze of streets that make up Thamel is home to numerous stalls. Thamel is also home to several restaurants that serve delicious and varied cuisine. One can almost always get a good bargain on the items that are sold here, especially on handcrafted materials. Thamel is also the prime entertainment district in the capital with a plethora of bars, clubs and casinos, most of them operating for 24 hours,

At its centre, Thamel has the serene Vikramshila Mahavihara Monastery which dates back several decades. The manuscript Swayambhu Purana, which narrates the story of Kathmandu Valley, is said to be housed within it. In addition to this historical treasure, Thamel houses several other cultural monuments. One of the lesser-known temples in Thamel, the Tri Devi temple houses temples devoted to the Goddesses Jawala Mai, Dakshinkali, and Manakamana. Below a pavement in the northern region of Thamel stands a bland concrete monument with the most beautiful deity of Lord Ganesha inside it. Planted below street level, the deity at the Sunken Ganesh Shrine is ornate with intricately detailed ornaments and carvings. Ghairi Dhara is a colossal natural water source which is still in use in spite of being damaged by the 2015 earthquake. For several centuries, this spot has been used by the locals to draw water for different purposes. Close to the Thamel Marg stands the picturesque Shiva Shrine, thronged by devotees on a daily basis. The Ashoka Stupa, dedicated to Emperor Ashoka, is a newly renovated Stupa which holds a rich historical significance. Even though there are no written archives stating the age of the monument, it is said that it is over a thousand years.

Asan Tole is a famous market street in Asan. The six spoked juncture of the street is always bustling with people selling everything from vegetables and fishes to clothes, jewellery and spices. It is a place where one can experience the daily life of Nepali people. Other than the bazaar, tourists can also explore some sites in Asan Tole. There is the Annapurna Ajima Temple located on a busy street. It has a traditional three-tiered pagoda, wooden architecture and houses a pot with grains representing the Goddess. A little distance away, to the north of the square, is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh and the north-west is another shrine dedicated to Lord Narayan. From a distance, one would notice the new construction all around the temple. This proves that the culture and the belief are so strong that locals embrace it even after centuries of evolution. At the centre of the attraction, a stone figurine of a fish, also called the Nyalon or the Fish Stone has been installed. This is believed to be the exact location where a fish miraculously fell from the sky. After this incident, Asan Tole was founded. To the southern side of the square is a building called Yita Chapa. This building has a prayer or hymn hall and several shrine rooms where locals get together and sing hymns. A stone platform, called the Asan Dabu is specially used for cultural performances held during festivals.

The rest of the streets that radiate out from the square are lined with more shrines and religious courtyards like the Kwathu Baha, Thakse Baha, Dhalasikwa Baha, Asan Baha, Haku Baha and the Dagu Baha. All these courtyards have decorated shrines with stupas and statues of Buddha that emphasise on the spiritual aspect of the city. This ancient commercial centre in Kathmandu, Asan Tole is one place that truly is the lifeline of Kathmandu and the local traders. Those who wish to witness this unique facet of Nepal must visit this part of the city.

Located near the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of Bagmati River, the crematoria is where Nepali Hindus go for their last rites. Visitors can sit on the other bank of the river and observe the last rites. The Cremetoria is open from 10:30 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays. Entry is free for Nepalis, while foreigners need to pay NPR 1000.

Kathmandu is home to a number of museums and art galleries, including the National Museum of Nepal and the Natural History Museum of Nepal. Nepal’s art and architecture is an amalgamation of two ancient religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. These are amply reflected in the many temples, shrines, stupas, monasteries, and palaces in the seven well-defined Monument Zones of the Kathmandu valley, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also known as the Rashtriya Sangrahalaya, the National Museum is a century-old museum that has preserved the exhibits depicting the rich historical significance of Nepal. Located in the western part of Kathmandu, near the Swayambhunath stupa, the National Museum is in a historical building constructed in the early 19th century by General Bhimsen Thapa. It is the most important museum in the country, housing an extensive collection of weapons, art and antiquities of historic and cultural importance. The museum was established in 1928 as a collection house of war trophies and weapons, and the initial name of this museum was Chhauni Silkhana, meaning the stone house of arms and ammunition. Given its focus, the museum contains many weapons, including locally made firearms used in wars, leather cannons from the 18th–19th century, and medieval and modern works in wood, bronze, stone and paintings.

Home to three buildings: the Historical Museum Building, the Buddhist Art Gallery, and the Juddha Jayatia Kala Shala, this monument houses cultural, historical, and philatelic sections, including weapons, artworks, coins, statues, postage stamps, and several species of plants and animals.

The main building houses a Philatelic Gallery, a Historical Gallery, a Natural Science Gallery, and a Numismatics Museum. It also houses leather canons seized during the first war fought between Nepal and Tibet in 1792, cane helmets, Birgun, and Thomson submachine guns. The sword presented by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte remains the most valuable treasure, along with the plethora of relics from 1934, the year in which Kathmandu became a victim of a massive earthquake. The displays of the Natural Science section houses a variety of species of birds and animals of the wild, including mammals, reptiles, insects, and butterflies. The philatelic section, including an extensive collection of stamps from previous centuries, primarily draws in collectors. On the other hand, the numismatic section houses bronze, copper, silver, and gold coins dating back to the Licchavi era. Finally, life-sized paintings of the rulers during the Malla and Shah dynasties along with the Prime Ministers adorn the walls of the building.

A repository of Buddhist sculptures, paintings, and ceremonial objects, the Buddhist Art Gallery provides a rich insight into Buddhist art in the country of Nepal. This gallery is segregated into three sections, namely the Kathmandu Valley, the Terai, and the northern Himalayan sections. While the first section comprises of figures of Bodhisattvas and the Buddha and Chaityas cast in bronze, the Terai section is ornate with numerous pictures of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. On the other hand, the northern Himalayan part offers a glimpse of the impact of Tibetan Buddhism on the country, which was supposedly full of rituals and religious practices. Ritualistic artefacts like Phurpas, Dorje, Thangka paintings, and Tibetan amulets are displayed in the gallery, among other religious materials. Breathtaking images and paintings of the Goddess of Wisdom, Manjushri, Dipankara Buddha, and Yantras belonging to the 19th century wrap up the priceless collection of the Buddhist Art Gallery.

Also referred to as the Hall of Sculpture, the Juddha Jayatia Kala Shala is devoted to stone and wood carvings and intricate metal works. Among the several stone images, the one of Jayavarma, the Licchavi King of the 2nd century, is the most prominent. The artefacts that attract several connoisseurs are the four stolen sculptures, namely, the Buddha of Bhinchhe Bahal from the 9th century, Hyumat Tole’s Garudasana Vishnu from the 10th century, Veena Dharini Saraswati from Kamalpokhari in Pharping from the 12th century, and Surya, belonging to Panauti’s Triveni Ghat from the 14th century.

Other exquisite sculptures include the exquisite Uma and Maheshwara, the fat-bellied Lord Brahma, and the dancing Lord Ganesha. A restored statue from the 15th century of the dancing goddess, Nrittya Devi, adorns the wood carving section. Intricate and detailed carvings made on sal, teak, rosewood, as well as on the window frames, provide a glance at the refined wood carving skills of the artisans. The painting section is ornate with images of the mystical deeds of Lord Krishna, and has been named Krishna Leela. Apart from these three exhibits, the museum is home to a captivating Doll Gallery, consisting of dolls from all over the world. This unique range of dolls was given to the female royalty from the heads of states and other countries over the years.

Between February and October, the museum is open from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm on Wednesdays to Sundays and from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm on Mondays. Between November and January, the the museum is open from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm on Wednesdays to Sundays and from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm on Mondays. Entry fees are NPR 50 for SAARC country citizens, NPR 75 for those with a still camera, NPR 150 for those with a video camera. For foreigners, entry fee is NPR 150, NPR 100 for those with a still camera, and NPR 200 for those wanting to take a video camera inside.

The Natural History Museum is in the southern foothills of Swayambhunath hill and has a sizeable collection of different species of animals, butterflies, and plants. The museum is noted for its display of species, from prehistoric shells to stuffed animals. The Tribhuvan Museum contains artifacts related to King Tribhuvan, who ruled between 1906 and 1955. It has a variety of pieces, including his personal belongings, letters, and papers; memorabilia related to events he was involved in and a rare collection of photos and paintings of Royal family members. The Mahendra Museum is dedicated to King Mahendra, who ruled between 1920 and 1972. Like the Tribhuvan Museum, it includes his personal belongings, such as decorations, stamps, coins and personal notes and manuscripts, but it also has structural reconstructions of his cabinet room and office chamber. The Hanumandhoka Palace, a lavish medieval palace complex in the Durbar, contains three separate museums of historic importance. These museums include the Birendra Museum, which contains items related to the second last monarch, King Birendra.

The Taragaon Museum presents the modern history of the Kathmandu valley. It seeks to document 50 years of research and cultural heritage conservation of the Kathmandu Valley, documenting what artists, photographers, architects, and anthropologists from abroad had contributed in the second half of the 20th century. The actual structure of the museum showcases restoration and rehabilitation efforts to preserve the built heritage of Kathmandu. It was designed by Carl Pruscha, the master-planner of the Kathmandu Valley in 1970 and constructed in 1971. Restoration works began in 2010 to rehabilitate the Taragaon hostel into the Taragaon Museum. The design uses local brick along with modern architectural design elements, as well as the use of circle, triangles and squares. The museum is within a short walk from the Boudhanath stupa, which itself can be seen from the museum tower.

Kathmandu is a centre for art in Nepal, displaying the work of contemporary artists in the country and also collections of historical artists. Patan in particular is an ancient city noted for its fine arts and crafts. Art in Kathmandu is vibrant, demonstrating a fusion of traditionalism and modern art, derived from a great number of national, Asian, and global influences. Nepali art is commonly divided into two areas: the idealistic traditional painting known as Paubhas in Nepal and perhaps more commonly known as Thangkas in Tibet, closely linked to the country’s religious history, crafts and on the other hand the contemporary western-style painting, including nature-based compositions or abstract artwork based on Tantric elements and social themes of which painters in Nepal are well noted for.[76] Internationally, the British-based charity, the Kathmandu Contemporary Art Centre is involved with promoting arts in Kathmandu. Kathmandu houses many notable art galleries. The NAFA Gallery, operated by the Arts and Crafts Department of the Nepal Academy is housed in Sita Bhavan, a neo-classical old Rana palace.

The Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery, inside the Bhrikutimandap Exhibition grounds, hosts the work of contemporary painters and sculptors, and regularly organizes exhibitions. It also runs morning and evening classes in the schools of art. Also of note is the Moti Azima Gallery, in a three-storied building in Bhimsenthan which contains an impressive collection of traditional utensils and handmade dolls and items typical of a medieval Newar house, giving an important insight into Nepali history. The J Art Gallery near the former royal palace in Durbarmarg displays the artwork of eminent, established Nepali painters. The Nepal Art Council Gallery, in the Babar Mahal, on the way to Tribhuvan International Airport contains artwork of both national and international artists and extensive halls regularly used for art exhibitions.

The National Library of Nepal is located in Patan. It is the largest library in the country with more than 70,000 books in English, Nepali, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Nepal Bhasa. The library is in possession of rare scholarly books in Sanskrit and English dating from the 17th century. Kathmandu also contains the Kaiser Library, in the Kaiser Mahal on the ground floor of the Ministry of Education building. This collection of around 45,000 books is derived from a personal collection of Kaiser Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana. It covers a wide range of subjects including history, law, art, religion, and philosophy, as well as a Sanskrit manual of Tantra, which is believed to be over 1,000 years old. The 2015 earthquake caused severe damage to the Ministry of Education building, and the contents of the Kaiser Library have been temporarily relocated.

The Asa Archives are also noteworthy. They specialise in medieval history and religious traditions of the Kathmandu valley. The archives, in Kulambhulu, have a collection of some 6,000 loose-leaf handwritten books and 1,000 palm-leaf manuscripts, mostly in Sanskrit or Nepal Bhasa and a manuscript dated to 1464.

Tundlikhel is a former parade ground of Gurkha soldiers which has been converted into a picnic spot and viewpoint, popular amongst locals and tourists. On a clear day, one can view the mesmerising Himalayan peaks including including Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare, Langtang Lirung, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. Best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset. Once upon a time, this plateau region was used by traders to sell off some goods before making their way to Tibet or India. The ground was also used for parade purposes by the Gorkha regiment. Nowadays, it is open for anyone to enjoy and relax.

Located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Taudaha Lake is a famous freshwater lake surrounded by hills covered with dense forests. The lake is full of fishes and is also a heaven for birdwatchers because of the migratory birds in the area. As per a legend, Taudaha is one of the lakes that were formed from the waters of a large lake after a mythical character cut the hill behind it and let the water flow away.

Legend states that there was once an enormous water body where Kathmandu now exists. This water body was believed to be home to mythical creatures that were a part serpent and part human and were recognised as the Nagas. Manjushree, a bodhisattva who was associated with Mahayana Buddhism, is believed to have cut through a hill located in the south of the Kathmandu Valley and let the water drain away to expose the land underneath to use it for human settlement. The water, however, did not drain off entirely and smaller ponds and lakes were formed in and around the region. One of these is believed to be the Taudaha Lake.

The Nagas were left homeless after the water body no longer remained and their King, Karkotak set out in rage to take revenge. To calm the king, the people who settled near Taudaha Lake built a magnificent palace underwater, studded it with precious stones and offered it to the Naga King. He was extremely pleased with the gesture but put forth a condition that nobody would disturb the biodiversity of the lake if they wanted him to rule the Nagas harmoniously underwater. The people agreed, and ever since, no fishing or swimming is allowed in the Taudaha Lake.

The lake has incredible biodiversity, home to a number of plant, bird and animal species. Researchers have found that the place is home to 17 species of resident birds, two summer migrants and about 20 species of winter migrant birds. The lake is open daily between 9 am and 5 pm and has an entry fee of NPR 25 for SAARC country nationals while others need to pay NPR 100.

The national botanical garden or the Royal Botanical Gardens is located at the base of Phulchowki hill, covering an area of 82 hectares and is surrounded by beautiful evergreen natural forests. Various indigenous plants such as ornamental plants, rock plants, rose cultivars, trees and shrubs, lilies, ferns, medicinal plants and native flora, aquatics, cacti, orchids are housed here for display. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm and foreigners can enter by paying NPR 100 while SAARC tourists need to pay NPR 25.

The Garden of Dreams, also referred to as the Swapna Bageecha and garden of six seasons is a neo-classical garden built by Kishore Narshingh in1920. The garden has a magnificent amphitheatre, urns, gorgeous pavilions, paved perimeter paths, pergolas, and ponds that draw in locals and tourists alike. After the patron of this garden, Kaiser Sumsher Rana, passed away in the 1960s, the site lay in neglect until recent years, when it was beautifully restored by the Austrian government and reopened for visitors.

When set in contrast to the other gardens that were designed in those years, this garden, inspired by the Edwardian style of architecture, was wonderfully modern in its time. Under the professional supervision of the renowned architect, Kishore Narsingh, this European garden was a repository of fascinating features. After Kaiser Sumsher Rana passed away, the Government of Nepal took over the responsibility of the garden. After lying dormant for several years without any attempts at restoration, the Garden of Dreams came back to life after a renewal project was begun with the financial aid of the Government of Austria and the implementation of Eco Himal.

Spread out across 6895 square metres, it houses some smaller gardens within the walls. Along the perimeter of the path paved across the place, sunken flower gardens, with viridescent ponds in the middle, add to the beauty of the attraction. This place is also home to several classical concerts, corporate functions, private receptions, as well as cultural programs. In 2016, a small museum was integrated within the garden, and at present, it also houses a library and a cafe. The garden, which can be visited by paying an entry fee of NPR 320 for adults and NPR 160 for children, is open from 9 am to 10 pm with the last entry at 9 pm.

With trekking trails, lush greenery, and a variety of species of flora and fauna, the Langtang National Park is the fourth national park established in Nepal in 1976. The national park is situated approximately 32 km to the north of Kathmandu and is connected to the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. The picturesque park is also home to the serene, high altitude Gosaikunda Lake, believed to be sacred. From the dense forests which comprise the hilly areas, the area of the park spreads across the Nepalese larch in the middle before cascading down to the vast meadows of green grasslands. With more than 250 species of birds, around 46 species of mammals, and a whopping 1000 species of plants, this place is ideal for nature enthusiasts.

The park encompasses 26 village executives and is perched at an altitudinal range of 6450 masl. The peak of the gigantic Langtang Lirung, at an altitude of 7245 m, is the zenith of the park. The numerous trekking tracks, each differing in its level of difficulty from the other cater to those who come here seeking adventure. While the international boundary of Tibet coincides with the borders of the park in the north and east, the western border follows the rivers Trisuli and Bhote Kosi. The protected area within the park is representative of both the Palearctic and Indo-Malayan ecozones, which houses a rich and vast biodiversity.

Of the numerous trekking routes that make up a significant part of the Langtang National Park, the three main trails are the Langtang Valley, the Gosaikunda Lake, and Helambu. A significant portion of the Langtang valley is loosely connected to the southern section of the Helambu region through Laurebina La. To make sure that trekkers do not face any inconvenience, all three routes have locally operated lodges, hotels, tea stalls, and campgrounds, in addition to other facilities. The Langtang National Park lets the visitors make the final choice by offering them trekking options ranging from moderate to difficult. The duration of each trekking trip ranges from 3 days to 3 weeks. The trekkers can also ask for extra time to explore the vast wilderness, the breathtaking hilltop view, and the cultural heritage sites. For the more adventurous, the remote areas of the park, including the Panch Pokhari, Langshisa glacier, the eastern part of Helambu, and the upper sections of Kyanjin, along with the Ganja La Pass, are also accessible.

Langtang National Park is a repository of mammalian and avian fauna, the former falling into an intermediate category of the Palaearctic and the Indo-Malayan. While most of the species belonging to the Indo-Malayan group have chosen the lower altitudes as their abode, the red panda is the only fauna belonging to the same group which has found its shelter at an elevation of 4800 metres. Up to 46 species of mammals have been found and recorded in this beautiful park, of which the ones that have been segregated into the protected list of the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 are the grey wolf, red panda, leopard cat, clouded leopard, snow leopard, Tibetan sheep, Assamese monkey, and the musk deer. If one wants to spot snow leopards and their prey, the Himalayan Tahr, they should visit the upper sections of the Langtang, Lendi, and Yangri Valleys. The red panda may be sighted in Ghodatabela and Polangpati, along with the southern sections of Panch Pokhari, Cholangpati, Magnigoth and Yangri areas. To The mighty Himalayan black bear is one of the animals that throng the Thulo Bharu, Briddim, Timure, Thulo Syabru, and Ghodatabela frequently. The national park is also home to over 250 species of birds. The National bird of Nepal- the Himalayan Monal is the most sought after, along with the Satyr tragopan that falls under the list of protected birds sheltered in the park. Of the thousands of plant species that are housed in the park, 21 are endemic, which include two species of Meconopsis. one species of Zanthoxylum, and two species of Rhododendron.

Nepalis do not have any entry fee to the park while SAARC nationals need to pay NPR 1500 and other foreigners pay NPR 3000. For SAARC and other foreigners, an an additional 13% VAT is charged. Children below the age fo ten are granted free entry, irrespective of their nationalities.