World Heritage Sites in Nepal

There are ten world heritage sites UNESCO in Nepal. Seven are in the Kathmandu valley (Cultural sites), and the other three are out of the Kathmandu valley (Natural sites). The old, historical, and famous heritage sites are tourist attractions nowadays. Thousands of travelers do heritage tours in Nepal every year. Nepal may be a poor country in its economy, but it is culturally, naturally, and historically rich. The people of Nepal are mostly honest, and they treat the very well to the visitors. The world heritage UNESCO sites of Nepal are here.

There are lots of Heritage Sites and Historical Sites in Nepal. Culturally rich country Nepal has thousands of well-carved buildings and temples in different cities of Nepal. There are many tourist sites in Kathmandu Valley and all over Nepal. Not all tourist sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but there are Ten World Heritage UNESCO Sites in Nepal. Eight sites are Cultural World Heritage Sites, and 2 are Natural Heritage Sites in Nepal.

Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Changunaran are the Cultural World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley. Another UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site is Lumbini, where Lord Buddha was born.

Sagarmatha National Park, where Mt. Everest is, and Chitwan National Park, where many tourists go for jungle safaris, are Nepal's Natural UNESCO Sites.

The World Heritage sites from the Kathmandu Valley (Cultural)

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu durbar square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is an ancient royal palace where King Prithvi Narayan Shaha ruled the country after Nepal United. Before Nepal united, there were Malla kings who ruled. Kathmandu Durbar Square is also known as Basantapur Durbar. After the Hanumana statue was kept here, they started to say Hanuman Dhoka royal palace. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is a big square where visitors can spend at least two hours seeing things. There are many things to see and know about history, culture, and religion.

The Kastamandap is a historical building that was built in the twelve century. It was made out of a single colossal tree and named Kastamandap. This building has two meanings Kasta(wooden) and Mandap (structure). This building had given the name Kathmandu. In the beginning, it was the shelter for the people that had been changed to Gorakhnath Temple (Hindu Temple).

There are several Pagoda temples on this site. Most of them were made in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Pagoda temples are Nepali-style temples that we can see in China too. The Chinese king invited Nepali artists to make them in China. These Pagoda temples are primarily tall, with a high platform for visitors to enjoy the views. The stone statue of Garuda (The vehicle of the god Vishnu) also is an attraction to see.

The big white building here is the royal palace from where the king used to rule the country. It is a museum now. Gaddhi Baithaik is joined with it, which was made in 1908 AD by Chandra Samser Rana (One of the Rana Prime ministers). This building was used to visit the public and visit the living goddess (Kumari) by the king. There are some beautiful yards for different propose of the Royal family inside this building.

Taleju is one of the Hindu goddesses to whom people sacrifice animals. Goddess Taeju is the family goddess of the Nepalese royal family. It was made in the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries. The temple's main door is permanently closed except one day of the year. During the biggest festival of Nepali Hindus in November, one day will open the main entrance and sacrifice fifty-four buffalos and fifty-four goats. There are hundreds of visitors on this day.

Kumari is a young virgin lady who is considered a living goddess. The living goddess is the form of the goddess Taleju. This system was started in the eighteenth century by King Jaya Prakash Malla. Usually, a young lady with specific criteria will be chosen as the living goddess. When the lady has the time for menstruation, they will change into another lady as the goddess. For more detail, the tour guide will briefly detail this area and the sites.

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Swayambhunath

Swyambhunath is a Buddhist site which is on the hill station. At an early age, the Kathmandu Valley was full of water. Swyambhunath was similar to an island with a natural gas flame. The Manjushree from Tibet came here and saw the flam that was named Swyambhunath (The is the god itself). Later, the monkeys started living here, then called the monkey temple. There are more than a hundred different types of flora and birds. Swyambhunath is also known as an open museum. We can see a good view of Kathmandu Valley from here and the lovely White Mountain on a clear day.

There are thousands of monkeys in this area because the trees are here for their shelter. The monkeys here are not aggressive if we don't tease them. We better not tease, not try to feed them. Sometimes the mother monkey with their baby may be aggressive if we get closer to them. There is a swimming pool for monkeys, so they swim during summer.

The colorful prayer flags are nicely decorated for the area. It has five different colors. They represent five other elements. The name of the flag in Tibetan is Lungta. Vasubandhu Stupa, word peace pond( Wishing pong), the giant main stupa, Harati(The goddess of pneumonia), Thunderbolt, a statue of Depanker Buddha(Made in the seventh century), Pratap Pura and Ananta Pura, and many more religious things are the things to see here.

Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath temple

The Pashupatinath is among the most famous and holy places for the world's Hindu people. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from different countries visit this temple every month. This is the Shiva temple, but the Buddhist people also offer one day a year. During July and August, the Nepali Hindu people go to pray to the God Shiva Every Monday. There are several different festivals according to Hinduism.

Here is the open cremation for the Hindu people. This is the cremation place in Kathmandu and the main one. Thirty to forty dead bodies are cremated in this place. There are different open cremation places for people according to their economic condition and ethnic group. Always the dead body will be cremated at the riverside in Nepal for any Hindu people. There is the Bagmati River which is the Holy River. Everything will be cleared out to this river after the cremation. For more detail about cremation, your tour guide will brief you more.

There are lots of Hindu temples around this area. Different devotees offer some temples, and some are not. The statues of Birupakkshe, Humans, Vishnu, and much more are nice and attractive.

Bauddhanath

Bouddhanath stupa

Bauddhanath is a Buddhist site that is about eight km away from Thamel. The main stupa was established around the fourth/ fifth centuries. The Bauddhanath Stupa is the highest in Nepal and the second highest globally. The stupa was made in Madala architecture. There are four Buddhas, according to Tibetan Buddhism. The relic of the third Buddha(Kasyapa Buddha) is inside the dome. There are about five hundred and eighty-six prayer wheels around the first wall. Except for the main stupa, there are several monasteries, souvenir shops, and painting schools are the things to visit and see. You can visit the sites above during the Kathmandu day tour.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan is the other city in Kathmandu Valley. The real name of Patan is Lalitpur( The city of the fine arts). Patan means flat land. There was a rule by one of the Malla kings before Nepal was united. The Patan Durbar Square is also known as the open art museum. The beautiful temples/buildings with lovely carvings, Stone temples, and attractive yards are the main attraction of this place. The Golden Temple is known as Hiranyavarna Maha Bihar from the twelve century, Khumbheshwar Shiva temple from the fourteenth century, Sundari Chok, Krishna temple, and more here to visit and see.

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Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur is the oldest city in Kathmandu Valley. It was the capital of Kathmandu Valley before the fourteenth century. This city is known as the city of the devotees. There are lots of old houses with artistic doors and windows. There are four different squares Dattatraya Square, Taumadhi Square, Pottery Square, and the main Durbar Square. A nice temple of Dattatreya( trinity gods) at Dattatreya square, the tallest temple( Nyatapola) at Taumadhi square, the clay pots at Pottery square, some pagoda temples, famous golden gate, fifty-five windows palace, Taleju temple, and much more to visit and see at Durbar square in Bhaktapur. You can visit these two Durbar squares during the Bhaktapur and Patan day tour.

Changu Narayan Temple

The Changu Narayan temple is one of the most important temples for Hindu people. The temple was established earlier but was more famous in the fifth century. There were no writings before the fifth century. King Manadeva from the fifth century had put one stone pillar with writings. The writings are about his and his father's ruling the country; he started writing in Nepal. The Changu Narayan temple is a couple of km north of Bhaktapur City. The Nagarkot Changunarayan hiking ends in this place after visiting the site.

The UNESCO Heritage Sites Outside of Kathmandu Valley(Natural)

Sagarmatha National Park

Wildlife in Sagarmatha national park

The Sagarmatha National Park is in North-Eastern Nepal, where Mount Everest is. This national park was established in 1979. The area of this national park is 1148 square KM. The minimum altitude starts from 2800 M. to the highest, 5364 M above sea level. There are few mammals and more than two hundred types of birds as wildlife. The Musk deer in this national park is a rare animal. The Everest Base Camp Trekking itinerary is inside this UNESCO Site.

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Chitwan National Park

Wildlife in Chitwan national park

The Chitwan National Park is the place for the jungle safari tour in Nepal. It was established in 1973. The altitude of this National park is about 200 M above sea level. The area of this national park is 932 square KM. More than fifty species of birds live in this national park. Rhino, Tiger, elephant, spotted leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, and much more mammals live here.

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Lumbini (Cultural)

Mayadevi temple in Lumbini

The Lumbini is the birthplace of the Buddha. Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims and travelers visit this place every year. Maya Devi Temple(The mother of the Buddha), Lumbini garden, Ashokan pillar, the old dome types of stupas, Peace Flame, beautiful monasteries, white stupas, and much more to visit and see here.

If you would like to visit these Heritage Sites and learn more about these places, please contact us for your luxury tours in Nepal.