World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu

World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is situated within a bowl-shaped valley formed by three districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.

Kathmandu includes seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, three of them are ancient durbar squares, and palaces and four of them are temples and stupas.

In my view, the whole Kathmandu Valley is an open Museum. Every corner, in every stone, is god to the people of Nepal.

The seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley are:

1.Kathmandu Durbar Square(Durbar Square / Palace)

2.Bhaktapur Durbar Square(Durbar Square / Palace)

3.Patan Durbar Square (Durbar Square / Palace)

4.Swayambhunath Stupa (Stupa)

5.Boudhanath Stupa(Stupa)

6.Pashupatinath Temple (Temple)

7.Changu Narayan Temple (Temple)

Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu District.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan Temple are two UNESCO world heritage sites in Bhaktapur District.

Patan Durbar Square is a UNESCO world heritage site in Lalitpur District.

Although all these seven UNESCO World Heritage sites are located in three districts, they are close together. We can explore them in a day but take a breath and explore slowly.

Kathmandu Durbar Square 

The Kathmandu Durbar Square is located a short walk from Thamel. These are the most visited places in Kathmandu. Most tourists visit this place since it is just around the tourist center, Thamel. Kathmandu Durbar Square is also known as Basantapur Durbar Square or Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square.

The palaces of the city's rulers, the Malla and Shah monarchs, were in Kathmandu Durbar Square, hence it has historical significance, gorgeous Newari architecture, and arts & crafts culture.

Major attractions in Kathmandu Durbar Square are Basantapur Square, Kumari Ghar, Trailokya Mohan Temple, Gaddi Baithak,Kasthamandap,Hanuman Dhoka,inside palace mulchowk,lohanchowk,mohan chowk and Hanuman Dhoka Museum art Gallery.

Swayambhunath Stupa : 

Swayambhunath stupa or just Swayambhunath is one of the oldest religious sites atop a hill within walking distance of 3 km to the west of Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Swayambhunath is the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site among Buddhists and followers of Tibetan Buddhism. Due to the large number of monkeys living there over the ages, Swayambhunaath is also named "Monkey Temple".

As religious sites, People bow to reach there, which have cultural and historical significance, just monkeys living there we should not call these heritage sites as “Monkey Temples”.

Swayambhunath Stupa has been enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Major Attractions are Vajra, Stepping  stone Steps, World Peace ponds, flattering prayer flags.

Boudhanath Stupa : 

Boudhanath is another most religious Tibetan Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu. Boudhanath stupa is located about 11km northeastern edge of Kathmandu.

This is Nepal’s Biggest stupa. Boudhanath Stupa is thought to have been build in the 14th century. Boudhanath Stupa has been enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Pashupatinath Temple : 

Pashupatinath is one of the most religious Hindu temples. This is the most sacred temple of Hindus around the world.

Pashupatinath Temple is about 5km from Thamel, It is on the eastern edge of Kathmandu, on the banks of the holy Bagmati river. Pashupatinath Temple is Nepal’s most popular tourist destination.

Patan Durbar Square :

Patan Durbar Square is another popular UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu valley. Patan Durbar Square is located in Lalitpur district around 3KM from Thamel.

The area around used to be the royal residence of the Patan kings. It now has temples like the Krishna Temple, the Bhimsen Temple, the Viswanath Temple, and the Hari Shankar Temple.

Another well-known Hindu temple in the Patan Durbar area is the Krishna Temple, which is inside the royal Durbar area.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square :

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another popular durbar square and UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu Valley, located in Bhaktapur district, just around 15 km from Thamel.

The 55-window palace is one of the most amazing monuments here. It was built in 1427 AD by Malla King Yaksha Malla and renovated in the 17th century by King Bhupendra. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Kathmandu Valley as it reflects the ancient arts of Nepal.

Changu Narayan Temple : 

Changu Narayan temple is located around 5km from Bhaktapur Durbar Square. This is a 5th-century Hindu temple in Kathmandu Valley. Changu Narayan Temple is often regarded as Nepal's oldest Hindu temple.

This historic temple is devoted to the lord Vishnu. The temple and its grounds are littered with fifth-century stone inscriptions about Lord Vishnu.