The main draw to Kathmandu has to be the incredible culture and artistic heritage – a highlight of any trip to Nepal. The importance placed on religion in Nepal is huge and a tour of the three main sights; Swayambunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are not to be missed! Swayambunath is the oldest Buddhist temple in the Kathmandu Valley. At the foot of the long stairway out of the valley are several temple buildings covered with colourful drawings and surrounded by brightly coloured statues. There are lots and lots of curious monkeys around scavenging for a bite to eat. There are 365 stone steps to climb to reach the stupa, where prayer flags flutter in the wind and the eyes of the Buddha are the focal point. The atmosphere around the stupa is incredible and filled with an air of energy and excitement.
Boudhanath, a Tibetan Buddhist monument with a diameter of 100m, is one of the largest stupas in the world and another highlight of travelling in Nepal. The monument is surrounded by a neighbourhood of Tibetan refugees called ‘Little Tibet’. The many souvenir shops and restaurants make this the ideal place to have lunch with a view of the grand stupa.
At Pashupatinath Hindus come to honour Shiva in the shape of Pashupati an Animal God. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple complex, however if you cross the Bagmati River and take a seat on the stairs you’ll have a great view of the ghats, the ritual bathing and cremation locations. If you’re lucky you may see preparations for a cremation ceremony while you’re travelling in Nepal. There are many sadhus, or holy men, at Pashupatinath. Sadhus are nomadic Hindus who have rejected the cast system and do not follow normal traditions. They generally dress quite extravagantly; they wear orange robes or some are naked having smeared themselves with left over ashes from cremations.
Shopping in Thamel is hectic and entertaining. Thamel really is a backpacker’s haven and there is everything from Indian textiles, T shirts and DVDs to trekking gear, Nepali artefacts and jewellery for sale. It’s a good place to meet other travellers in Nepal and there are plenty of places to grab a tasty bite to eat. Due to the nature of the area there are more international restaurants than Nepali and you can find anything from Italian to Thai, Indian to German bakery good to tempt you. It’s certainly a good place to replace the calories you may have burnt during your Nepal trek!
If you choose to stay a little further out from the main tourist hub, I would certainly recommend a visit to one of Thamel’s many rooftop garden restaurants during your trip to Nepal. Most afford a view over the rooftops of the city and in such a hectic and densely populated area, it’s a lovely break to enjoy the peaceful green surroundings and sit back with a good book and a hot chocolate as you think over your Nepal trip.
Along with Dal Baht, momos are one of the most popular dishes in Nepal and make a cheap and delicious treat! They can be found everywhere from roadside carts where they are cooked while you wait to the Tibetan guesthouses of Thamel and beyond. No trip to Nepal is complete without a munch on some momos!
When you tire of Thamel, head out to the incredible medieval towns of Patan and Bhaktapur while you’re travelling in Nepal. Bhaktapur is completely traffic free so it makes for the perfect getaway from the busy roads and pollution of Kathmandu. The town is timeless and quiet and the cobblestone streets link monumental squares and temples with shrines and communal wells – a real highlight of a trip to Nepal. Potters’ Square is lined with clay stores and potters’ wheels, and there is a fantastic view over the river to the hills south of Bhaktapur. Patan has a more interesting Durbar Square than Bhaktapur with a far greater concentration of architecture than Kathmandu.
The Durbar Squares of Nepal can’t be beaten for architecture and the atmosphere in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is fantastic. The main temple of Kasthamandap is according to legend, built from the trunk of only one tree. There are many historic buildings located on this square, such as temples and the ancient royal palace Hanuman Dhoka. You’ll also find the intricately carved wooden house of Kumari, the living Goddess. When you’ve explore the various buildings there are plenty of places to sit back with a drink and soak up the atmosphere.
When you’ve explored the centre of Kathmandu and the pace of the city is too much, a really great way to get some fresh air and see a different side to Nepal is by taking a trek across the Kathmandu Valley to Nagarkot and Dhulikhel. This is a particularly good option for travellers to Nepal who don’t have the time to head out to Pokhara and the famous Annapurna trekking route. You’ll trek past rice and vegetable fields, through small rural farming villages, where children will run out to greet you. As you slowly start to climb, you’ll reach Nagarkot and the Newari town of Dhulikhel which both offer stunning, if distant, views of the Himalayas at certain times of the year. It’s a great option for any Nepal trip [out].
Finally, the perfect way to end any trip to Nepal, whether you’ve pushed yourself to the limit in the Annapurnas or pottered around the streets of Kathmandu, is dinner at Dwarika’s Hotel. Whether you opt for a 6 course traditional meal in the beautiful restaurant or the candlelit Friday night poolside barbecue, you won’t be disappointed!
https://ezinearticles.com/?Top-Ten-Things-To-Do-In-Kathmandu&id=5370954 by Bryony Holland