Introducing Around the Kathmandu Valley
The fertile, mountain-sheltered Kathmandu Valley is the historic heart of Nepal, where the Himalaya's most sophisticated kingdoms rose and fell and where Nepali art and culture were developed and refined. In many ways the Kathmandu Valley is Nepal.
The artistic richness of the valley is reflected in the six Unesco World Heritage sites that lie scattered around the valley like jewelled confetti. They include the ancient Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath (affectionately known as the 'Monkey Temple') and Bodhnath. The Pashupatinath Temple ranks as Nepal's most important Hindu site and attracts pious pilgrims and dreadlocked sadhus (holy men) from all over the subcontinent. Newari architecture reaches its pinnacle in the breathtaking Durbar squares of Patan and Bhaktapur, the third and most traditional of the valley's three former kingdoms. Just outside Bhaktapur is the Changu Narayan Temple, an open-air museum of stone-carved masterpieces. All these sites are easily visited as day trips from Kathmandu.
The valley has a host of lesser-known, but still wonderful, temples, viewpoints and traditional Newari villages, and half the fun is getting to and from these sights, by foot, mountain bike or motorbike. Many people miss out on these sights in a feverish rush to get to Chitwan, Pokhara or Everest, but the irony is that you'll find far fewer tourists just 10km outside Kathmandu than you will jostling for a view at Everest Base Camp.
With a rapidly expanding population of 1.5 million the valley has certainly changed over the years, but aspects of traditional life endure. Rural life continues to move to the rhythms of the seasons and spectacular festivals, and the timeless demands of the fields, the family and the gods remain the fundamental priorities of most people's lives.
Activities in Around the Kathmandu Valley
Patan
Patan (pa-tan) is separated from Kathmandu by the Bagmati River and is the second-largest town in the valley.
Tours in Around the Kathmandu Valley
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon (pronounced bud-gown and meaning 'City of Rice') in Nepali, or Khwopa (City of Devotees) in Newari, is the third major town of the valley.
Around the Kathmandu Valley destination guides
Bodhnath (Boudha)
On the eastern side of Kathmandu, just north of the airport and around 6km from Thamel, is Bodhnath (admission foreigner/SAARC Rs 50/20), home to one of the world's largest stupas.
Hotels in Around the Kathmandu Valley
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Around the Kathmandu Valley
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Around the Kathmandu Valley
The Southern Valley
The destinations in this area lie on four radial routes that branch off the southern Kathmandu Ring Rd like spokes from a wheel, making it hard to combine more than a couple of sites in one out-and-back trip.
Need to know
Entertainment in Around the Kathmandu Valley
The Valley Fringe
Beyond Bhaktapur the Kathmandu Valley walls start to rise, revealing views beyond the valley bowl.
Shopping in Around the Kathmandu Valley