Nepal, famous for its mountain ranges, impressive buildings and religious background. The region is packed full of beautiful scenery and features a fascinating past; aspects that draw thousands of visitors every year. Deciding what to see and do while on holiday here can be tricky though. This article takes a look at three of the best cites that you can visit on a holiday to this fantastic country.
Kathmandu.
Top of the list is the countries capital city, Kathmandu. The city acts with a gateway to Nepal, with most visitors stopping off here on the way deeper in the country, so there’s really no excuse for not looking around. The city derives its name from one of the large pagoda-style temples, Kasthmandap or “house of wood”, that perfectly shows off the regions architectural styles. If you’re interested in the religious history of the region the Temple of the Living Goddess is well worth a visit, with its beautiful internal courtyards. There are also some great opportunities to shop in the city, with its wealth of small markets selling traditional goods.
Bhaktapur
Next up we have the interesting little city of Bhaktapur, which translates to “the city of devotees”. Located just 14km to the east of Kathmandu, the city is best known for its medieval art & architecture; which still infuse the city with a real feel of the medieval to this day. Because of its rich history, the city is often viewed as one of the best persevered historical cities in the country. Packed full of intricately carved temples, winding alleyways and a truly timeless atmosphere really makes this city an intriguing place to visit. The major sites in the city include the medieval markets full of local crafts, the Golden Gate, Durbar Square, the Palace of 55 windows and the three temples, Nyatapole, Bhairavanath and Dattatrya.
Patan
The final location on the list is the cultural haven of Patan, the “city of fine arts”. One of the oldest cities in the region, the Buddhist City is said to have been founded back in the 3rd century BC by the Emperor Ashoka. The city is well known for not only being a centre of culture and the arts, but also as a religious centre for the Newari Buddhist. The religious aspect of the city is the most evident, with 55 major temples spread throughout the city streets and anchored by four Buddhist stupas set on the four-corners of the outer boundaries.
