Kathmandu Durbar Square
It is historic seat of royalty. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations celebrated. Kathmandu's most impressive sight, Durbar Square, is crowded with ancient temples and palaces reflecting the religious and cultural life of the people. It is also home to Kathmandu's Kumari, or 'living goddess', a young girl believed to be a reincarnation of the goddess Durga. It was listed in the UNESCO world Heritage Monument list is 1979.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Is situated at an altitude of 1401m, 14 km east of Kathmandu and is the least developed of the three cities in the valley. Translated Bhaktapur means the city of devotees. The most laid back of the three valley towns its narrow brick paved streets harbor hidden shrines and statues around every corner. It is quite easy to spend a whole day here relaxing and taking in an almost fantastic atmosphere. Bhaktapur is famed for its woodcarvings, pottery and cloth weaving. Many of Bhaktapur's practices have changed little over the centuries.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan (The City of beauty) is situated on the southern bank of the holy river Bagamti (a tributary of the Ganges) some five kilometers southeast of Kathmandu. Now a days, it has virtually become part of sub metropolitan Kathmandu. The city is famed for its wealth of Buddhist and Hindu temples with an abundance of fine bronze gateways and wonderful carvings. Patan is known for its expert craftsmen and metal workers.
Patan Durbar square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal Bath called Tushahity. It was listed in the UNESCO world Heritage Monument List in 1979.
Swayambhunath
This is one of the world's most famous Buddhist Chaityas. The 2000-year-old Chaityas is commonly known as the 'monkey temple' because of its resident population of monkey. This spectacular Buddhist Stupa, from which the Buddha's eyes gaze serenely down, lies on a hilltop only 2km from the center of Kathmandu. The views of Kathmandu and the surrounding valley are superb from here. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument list in 1979.
Boudhanath
The Stupa of Bouddhanath lies eight kms. East of the centre of Kathmandu.This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the World and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. It was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Pashupatinath Temple
Situated 5km east of Kathmandu, the temple of lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with two tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Other religion people can see it from out of the temple premises. The temple was listed in the UNESCO world Heritage Monument in 1997.
