What Are the Best Places to Visit in Kathmandu

Many travelers might look for the best places to visit in Kathmandu before traveling to Nepal. If you are among those first visiting Nepal and wondering about places to see around the Kathmandu Valley, this post will help you manage your holiday.

There are seven world heritage cultural sites of UNESCO in Kathmandu Valley, where you can see magnificent ancient architecture, art, religious monuments, and more. You need two full days to visit all of these sites. Still, you can select three or four places to see in one day after knowing about those sites below, or you can visit all of them if you have more than a free day in Kathmandu. So, Let's get to know about ancient historical sites here:

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley

Goddess Harati Temple in Swayambhunath

There are seven cultural, historical, and religious UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley, which you can see and explore in two days. Check general information about those heritage monuments below:

Kathmandu Durbar Square

The Kathmandu Durbar Square is an ancient royal palace of Nepal. King Prithvi Narayan Shaha united Nepal and then moved his court from Gorkha to this palace in the 18th century. The kings of Nepal ruled from this palace until 1968 after Prithvi Narayan Shaha, and then they started leading from Narayanhiti Palace.

The Kathmandu Durbar is also known as the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace and Basantapur Area. It has numerous pagoda temples, Newari Architecture, arts, and other ancient treasures. If you like exploring, you can spend a whole day there, visiting magnificent yards and museums. The major highlight of the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace is the living goddess Kumari, who has strong religious beliefs and a long history.

You can walk to this old royal palace from Thamel through the local market. In the palace square, you will see historical monuments and charming wood carvings that you probably have never seen in other places or countries.

Swayambhunath Maha Chaitya (Monkey Temple)

The Syambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, is located on a small hill station with magnificent views of the Kathmandu Valley. It is a Buddhist site with many Buddhist monuments, including colorful prayer flags, stupas, thunderbolts, and more, as well as natural attractions.

You will also see some Shikhara, Pagoda, and dome architecture temples with several Buddhist shrines while visiting the Swayambhunath area. You can also walk to this place from Thamel, which may take around half an hour. You can see amazing lights in the Valley if you visit this place in the evening.

Pashupatinath Area

One of the most sacred Hindu temples in the country is the Pashupatinath Temple. However, Only Hindus and Buddhists can enter the temple. You can also see many temples and historical monuments outside the temple. The primary thing, which can be strange and rarely seen, is an open cremation. Several dead bodies are burning at the side of the Bagmati River at the same time. You can also see several offerings around this area.

Bouddhanath Stupa

The Bouddhanath Stupa is the highest Maha Chaitya in Nepal and the second highest globally. It was built in the early 5th century. Many buildings surround this stupa in a big yard. It is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists in Nepal. Numerous monasteries surround it, where you can see unique religious paintings and shrines. While visiting these monasteries, you can get blessings from the monks and see magnificent stupa views from the monastery's roof.

A full-day Kathmandu tour allows you to visit all the above sites in one day. We arrange private transport and an experienced tour guide for the day tour, and our guide will provide you with extensive information about history, religion, culture, and more.

Patan Durbar Square

Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Area

The Patan Durbar Square is in Latitpur City in the Kathmandu Valley. It has a small area around the palace compared to the other two ancient royal palaces in the Valley. Still, it is rich in art and architecture and has magnificent carvings with decorated fine art.

While visiting Patan, you can see several ancient pagoda temples, the stone architecture of Krishna Temple, beautiful yards, an art museum, a garden, and more.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur is an old Newar City in the Kathmandu Valley. It was the capital of Nepal until the 14th century when the country was divided into three kingdoms. The area is famous for its wood carvings, and you can see unique masterpieces.

Bhaktapur has many old traditional buildings and farming land compared to the other two cities in the Valley. You visit four different squares while touring Bhaktapur. You see Dattatraya Temple and well-carved peacock window, Taumadhi and the tallest five-story temple (Natapola), Pottery and clay pots making, and palace squares in Bhaktapur.

Changunarayan Temple

The Changunarayan Temple is a sacred Temple belonging to the God Vishnu. It is located on a hill station close to Bhaktapur, covering a small area. You can also see a small town here called Newar, which has well-carved buildings. There is a stone pillar with the first proof of historical writings. King Manadeva I from the Lichcchivi dynasty had put this stone pillar writing about his father's work for the country in the 4th century.

You can see both these durbar squares and Changunarayan Temple in one day by doing the Bhaktapur and Patan Day Tour. We arrange this tour by providing you with private transport and an experienced government-authorized guide if you want to visit these tour sites in the Kathmandu Valley.

Visiting Religious Sites

You can also visit two religious sites, Dakshinkali and Pharping, in one day around Kathmandu. These two places are close to each other. You drive south of Kathmandu for around an hour, where the famous Kali Temple is located. You also see the most vital cremation sites, shrines, and parks.

After visiting Dakshinkali, you return the same way for about a minute's drive and visit Pharping. This Buddhist site features several monasteries with colorful prayer flags, religious shrines, and caves where Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and Gorakhnath meditated. You can hike through steps for 10-15 minutes and see the magnificent Pharping Valley and green hills.

After Pharping, you drive another five minutes to Kathmandu and visit the Sheshnarayan temple. Here, you will see many fish and Hindu and Buddhist shrines. Then, you will return to Kathmandu.

Visiting Typical Newar Town Bungmati and Khokana

Bungmati, a typical Newar town, is within an hour's drive from the city center. Here, you can see traditional buildings and lifestyles. Several temples, such as Rato Machhindranath and Bhairava, can also be visited. You can also see beautiful artwork and farm work while visiting Bungmati.

After Bungmati, cross a suspension bridge, visit a religious Ganesha Temple, Siddhibinayak, and walk inside Khokana Village. Our guide will teach you about lifestyle, religion, history, and culture while you visit Bungmati and Khokamna.

Chandragiri Hills

Chandragiti Hill is the third-highest hill around Kathmandu Valley. You ride a cable car to reach this hill. You can see magnificent views of Kathmandu Valley, green hills, and scenic snow-capped high mountains like Ganesh Himal, Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, Jugal, and Everest ranges.

Besides the natural views of Chandragiri Hill, you can do some adventurous activities there. On this Chandragiri tour, you can enjoy zipline, free fall, swing ride, horse ride, wall-climb, and more.

Best Hiking Routes Around Kathmandu Valley

Mountain Views from Jamacho Hill

Suppose you are looking for a one-day adventure activity around Kathmandu and want to escape inside fresh nature. In that case, there are numerous nature and cultural hiking routes. This hiking may also be beneficial if you plan an adventure trek like the Everest Base Camp. According to different trails, you can go to Heart for a day or a few hours. Check out general information about those nature hikes below:

Nagarkot Changunarayan

The Nagarkot Changunarayan hiking is the most popular hiking route near Kathmandu. You can start walking from Nagarkot or Changunarayan, but walking from Nagarkot is more leisurely, mostly descending trails.

You can drive early in the morning from Kathmandu if you are interested in seeing the sunrise and hiking. While walking on this trail, you see long-ranged mountain views, green hills, valleys, farming terraces, and more from Nagarkot. You will also see the village lifestyles and daily activities of the locals on this hike.

At the end of the trip, you arrive at Changunarayan, one of Nepal's UNESCO cultural heritage sites. After visiting Changunarayan, you drive back to Kathmandu through Bhaktapur.

If you do not like to wake up early in the morning and drive from Kathmandu, you can also spend one night in Nagarkot, enjoy the sunrise and sunset, and hike to Changunarayan.

Champadevi Hill Hiking

The Champadevi Hill Hiking Trail is the best nature trail in Kathmandu Valley. It takes about an hour to drive from the city center to Pharping, where you can start walking. Alternatively, you can drive directly to Hattiban Resort for a shorter hike.

While hiking to Champadevi Hill, you will pass through forests and breathe fresh air. The hike lasts a full day, so you need to bring snacks and water. However, if you visit on Saturday, you can buy drinks and snacks.

You will listen to the sounds of wild animals and birds while walking on the Champadevi trail. Suppose you are hiking in autumn from October to December. In that case, you will see long-ranged mountains like Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Jugal, and Gauri Shankar ranges, green hills, valleys, and more from this hike.

Nagarjun Hill Hike

The Nagarjun Hill, also known as Jamacho Hill, is inside the Shivapuri Nagarjung National Park. It is the nearest and shortest nature hiking destination to the city. You see magnificent views of Mt. Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Gaurishankar, Jugal, Dorje Lakpa, Sisapangma, and more ranges from the top of this hill. It is also the best hill station from which to see Kathmandu Valley.

A small Buddhist monastery and Hindu shrines are on the top of Jamacho Hill. You will see some wild animals and beautiful birds while hiking to Jamacho Nagarjun Hill.

Kakani Suryachaur Hiking

The Kakani Suryachaur hiking trail is also a nature trail around Kathmandu Valley. You drive north of Kathmandu for around an hour to Kakani Hill and start walking towards Suryachour through the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park forest. On this hike, you will see magnificent snow-capped mountain views, natural attractions, and wildlife. The hiking journey ends in Suryachour, which has a massive ground in open space. You see the zenith of green hills, farming terraces, captivating landscapes, typical villages, and more from here and then drive back to Kathmandu.

Shivapuri Nature Hike

Starting Point of Bagmati River (Baghdwar)

Shivapuri Hill is the second-highest hill station near Kathmandu Valley. It is the most extensive hiking destination, and you can escape to nature for a whole day. The Shivapuri hiking trail is inside the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.

You drive to Budhanilkantha, around half an hour from the city, and start walking. You can also visit a female monk (Ani) monastery. You will be walking inside the dense forests of pine, rhododendron, oak, and many other trees with furn and bamboo bushes on the sides of the walking trail.

You will see the starting point of the Bagmati River (Baghdwar), a Buddhist Monastery, a Hindu Shadhu's Kuti (Inn), Hindu shrines, and Buddhist prayer flags. Walking towards Shivapuri Hill, you will see a magnificent view of the Kathmandu Valley. If you take this trip in spring, you will see blooming rhododendrons in the jungle and wild animals like monkeys and deer.

2-4 Days Short Trek Near Kathmandu

Mountain Views from Chisapani Nagarkot Trekking Trail

Besides day tours and hikes, you can also take a short trek near Kathmandu Valley. You can do a 2-4 day short trekking trip, which is the Chisapani trek. Suppose you like to do a 2-day drek near Kathmandu. In that case, you drive to Sundarijal and walk to Chisapani through the traditional village and Shivapuri Najarjun National Park. After Chisapani, you trek to Sankhu through Jhule and drive to Kathmandu. You can also make it three days, during which you reach Nagarkot on the second day, walk to Changunarayan, and go to Kathmandu.

The Chisapani Trek takes four days to reach Dhulikhel, where you drive to KTM. You can walk to Namobuddha and Panauti Town if you have more days. On this trekking trip, you will see pristine mountain views, magnificent valleys, landscapes, green hills, wildlife, a traditional lifestyle, and more.

You can also reach Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu within a few hours.

You can see pristine mountain ranges while hiking and trekking around Kathmandu, but they are pretty far away. If you love to reach very close to the high Himalayas, especially Everest Base Camp, and see the world's highest mountain from a close distance, you also have an option. The Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, with several landings in Lukla and Pheriche, brings you to Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp and then Lands at Hotel Everest View. You can see magnificent mountain views from very close while landing each spot.

On a mountain flight from Kathmandu, you can also see Mt. Everest from very close by. The Everest scenic flight is the fastest and cheapest option for seeing the Everest Himalayas and other superb mountain ranges. If you are on this flight tour, you fly from Kathmandu Airport and land back in the same place after exploring the mountains.

Conclusion

You can contact us anytime to see any of these sites listed in Kathmandu. We provide professional tour and hiking guides for you and arrange private transport like car, van, and bus according to your group size. After reading this post, we hope this post is beneficial for planning to visit and see specific sites and destinations. You can even refer this to your friend and anyone traveling to Nepal for the first time. You can email us or WhatsApp at +977 9851043624 and ask anything about Nepal. We are always happy to provide you with authentic information.