Experience Kathmandu

Overview

Kathmandu is the compelling capital city of Nepal, set in a lush, verdant valley surrounded by the magnificent Himalayan Mountains. The vibrant heart of the city is filled with historic sites, ancient temples, and shrines; it bedazzles with its sights, smells, and sounds. A fast-growing tourist destination, the city offers a unique blend of ancient culture, vibrant energy, and a distinct historic character with an enriching experience to offer its visitors. Durbar Square is set in the heart of the city, an ancient metropolis, a maze of alleys decorated with cafes, shops, restaurants, and hidden speakeasies. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. It's an overwhelming city with chaotic traffic, loud street food vendors rattling pans on every corner, and shop vendors enticing you into their establishments, but one thing is for sure: it's never boring!

Things to see and do

Check out the Boudhanath Stupa, a popular religious center for Buddhism in the country. The huge 118-foot stupa features a white dome with a 13-step pyramid at the summit, which embodies the 13 steps to enlightenment. It's a spectacular sight to see in person, encircled by houses and monasteries. During the day, pilgrims circumnavigate the structure on ritual walks chanting mantras, and it is an especially spectacular sight at night, adorned with illuminated lamps, and many come to light candles. Remember to walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction and to spin the prayer wheels clockwise.

See the Swayambhunath Stupa, which is the most important, sacred, and popular temple in Kathmandu. Known as the Monkey Temple, it is nestled on a hilltop in the city and can be reached by climbing 300 steps to the top, passing by holy monkeys who live around the base. Theres also an impressive 12-foot-tall Tibetan prayer wheel and a trio of embellished Buddha sculptures on your journey up. There are spectacular views of the Kathmandu Valley from the temple grounds, especially on a clear day.

Visit Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest temple in Nepal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of over 500 temples, pagodas, ashrams, and shrines. It is considered one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the country. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, an intense place to visit. The large temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati River. It's a public, open-air cremation site where the last rites of Hindus are performed on raised platforms along the river around sunset (not an experience for the fainthearted).

Visit the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, once the home of the reigning monarch and royal family until 2006, when the revolution took over the monarchy. The palace was transformed into an interesting museum following the revolution, and it now displays the fascinating history of the Royal Kingdom of Nepal. The historic building features wood-paneled walls, marble tile flooring, and tiger skin rugs inside. On the outside, there are gorgeous courtyards and well-manicured grounds. The palace grounds are also the site of the royal massacre, where the prince shot his mother and father (the king and queen) over a bizarre love story and then shot himself.

Wander around the historic Dunbar Square. The sacred heart and old town of Kathmandu a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For centuries, Kathmandu was one of the three royal cities, and the main square was a place of coronation and celebration. Kathmandu’s Dunbar Square is the largest of the three squares, a sprawling space where kings rose to power from the 12-18th centuries. Walking around the maze of alleyways is like wandering through an open-air museum with different landmarks telling stories of long ago.

Mount Everest was established as the world’s tallest mountain in 1852. It's been a fascinating attraction to hikers ever since. Another incredible way to experience the breathtaking beauty of this massive peak is to see it from above. Take a panoramic flight over the fascinating Himalayas before coming face-to-face with Everest. This is an unforgettable experience taken right from Kathmandu; soak up these once-in-a-lifetime views of the highest mountain range in the world from above.

The lush, verdant Kathmandu Valley is a beautiful place to go hiking before you venture any deeper into the Himalayas. These rolling hills are a great way to get outdoors and explore the natural beauty of the region. There are some local hikes within national parks just on the outskirts of the city that are at a low altitude. A great place to start out and provide a great overall experience, with some leading to stunning mountain vistas

Just out of the hustle and bustle of the city streets, you’ll find yourself within the Kathmandu Valley, where hills and lush vegetation reign supreme. The many local hikes are within national parks and remain at low altitudes, providing great family and beginner-friendly experiences.

Shopping

There are some shopping opportunities in Kathmandu; there are shopping centers and malls found in the city center. Thamel is the main tourist area filled with winding, busy streets and alleyways decorated with many different kinds of shops selling books, clothes, souvenirs, food, and more. New Road, Chhetrapati, and Boudha are also popular shopping areas. The city of Kathmandu is a haven for shoppers with a great variety of merchandise and unique items to choose from, including cashmere, pashminas, hiking and trekking gear, Himalayan singing bowls, Tibetan Thangka paintings, Khukuri, Nepali tea, and rice paper.

The popular malls in the capital city are Civil Mall, Kathmandu Mall, City Center, Sherpa Mall, and Times Square Mall. Markets and bazaars are well-known shopping attractions in Kathmandu. Pote Bazaar, Raki Bazaar, and Asan Bazaar are located in Indra Chowk, where visitors can pick up ‘potes' colorful glass beads that are symbolic of Nepali married women. Brand names can be found in the posh area of Durbar Marg, which is also known as King’s Way. There are many expensive restaurants, bars, boutiques, and hotels in this area.

Dining

The capital city of Nepal offers food lovers a vibrant and diverse dining experience. The food scene in the city features both traditional Nepali cuisine as well as international influences along with Tibetan, Chinese, Thai, Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Indian cuisines. Fusion dining experiences are growing more popular in Kathmandu, and the growth of tourism in the city has led to culinary creativity and the development of hybrid foods accommodating tourists with Westernized adaptations of traditional dishes. The restaurants around the city offer a diverse array of cuisines and different dishes that showcase the diverse culinary heritage of the country.

The vibrant street culture in Kahtmandu is seen in the numerous street food vendors throughout the city selling delicious snacks like samosas, chaats, and fried noodles. The charming, relaxed atmospheres are what make most meals in the city so pleasing. With such an inviting atmosphere and ambiance, the food is a great bonus to the stunning views many restaurants offer of the surrounding Himalayan mountains. Kathmandu is a city where foodies can embark on a culinary journey and enjoy the distinctive flavors of the local delicacies. There are hundreds of traditional Newa delicacies that can be found in bhatti (local restaurants) and cafes, especially in the bustling streets of Thamal. Patan offers some of the best garden restaurants with serene settings and sensational views.

Some iconic local dishes include; momo (meat or vegetable dumplings, fried or steamed), Dal Bhat (lentil soup with rice), dhido (buckwheat dish), sel roti (rice doughnut), Thukpa (noodle soup), kwati (bean, and lentil soup), gundruk (leafy greens), Jeri (deep fried sweet treat), Chhoyela (spicy dish marinated meat), laphing (spicy mung bean noodles), Dhau (Nepali yoghurt).

Nightlife

The streets of Kathmandu have quite a bit to offer partygoers after dark. The chaotic streets of the capital city are filled with restaurants and bars and plenty of charming nightlife opportunities for tourists to experience. The city offers a great blend of cultural charm with modern-day entertainment options. There are lively nightclubs, scenic rooftop bars, cozy pubs, and charming bars with outdoor terraces. There’s also a wide variety of diverse experiences and entertainment options to choose from in the city, with live music, late-night street food, entertainment centers, casinos, and so many festivals. Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a truly wonderful experience at night, with rooftop restaurants and bars offering scenic views and lively music. The square transforms at night and is a fantastic place to be; adorned with lights, the historic charm of the temples and monuments at night is something everyone should experience.