Around the Kathmandu Valley
Ringed by the former residences of the royal family of Kirtipur, many showing some signs of earthquake damage, this square is now a popular hang-out for…
Must-see attractions in Nepal
Bhaktapur
One of the finest carved windows in the Kathmandu Valley. This most famous feature of the old Pujari Math looks to be in remarkably good condition…
Auspicious Pinnacle Dharma Centre of Dzongsar
Pharping
As you enter the town from the main road, take the first right and head uphill, passing a Guru Rinpoche statue in a glass case. Next to the statue is this…
Bhaktapur
On the north side of Tachupal Tole is an open area with a small temple dating from 1654. Backed by a large tank, Ganesh Pokhari, the open temple is…
Kagchode Thubten Sampheling Gompa
Pokhara to Jomsom
This Sakyapa monastery, perched on a spur of land overlooking the Kali Gandaki, was founded in 1429. The main hall features carved festival masks and…
Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa
Lumbini
This truly extravagant stupa, constructed by the German Tara Foundation, contains a hollow crown partly covered in glass, revealing a small Buddha within…
Around the Kathmandu Valley
From the main square, take a turn right, exiting at the southeast corner of the square to reach the 16th-century stone shikhara-style Lohan Dehar…
Thrangu Vajra Vidhya Monastery
Lumbini
This monastic temple funded by Canadians opened in 2014; 80% of the residents are nuns. The temple is noted for the nearly three thousand Buddha statues…
Nepal
This Sakya-school monastery on the west side of the stupa circuit houses a huge three-storey statue of Jampa (Maitreya), the Future Buddha. Look for the…
Kathmandu
This is the city’s best gallery for contemporary Nepali art, with a wide range of top-notch exhibitions. It is worth a visit if you’re shopping at Baber…
Patan
Peer inside this temple to see a very beautiful black-stone relief of Shiva and Parvati in the pose known as Uma Maheshwar – the god sitting cross-legged…
Lumbini
This classic Tibetan-style gompa (Buddhist monastery) was built in 2001 by Buddhists from Singapore and Nepal. The mural work inside is quite refined…
Around the Kathmandu Valley
At the bottom of the hill, follow the left fork of the main road around the base of the hill to this classic Thai-style wat (Buddhist monastery)…
Lumbini
This grand yet tasteful chörten (Tibetan reliquary stupa) was constructed by Buddhists from Manang in northern Nepal, but needs some work. There's a…
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Around the Kathmandu Valley
The northern part of the Kathmandu Valley rises to the verdant, reforested hills of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. This national park protects the city…
Bhaktapur
Just outside Durbar Sq, head down the path near the hiti that leads down the stairs to this atmospheric Kali temple that was built around a gnarled pipal…
Pokhara
This small, 200-year-old, two-tiered temple is dedicated to the Newari god of trade and commerce. It's decorated with erotic carvings, and the surrounding…
Around the Kathmandu Valley
If you leave the main square by the northern gate, you’ll pass a crumbling Buddhist courtyard monastery and an assortment of chaityas and shrines, then…
Pharping
The large white Ralo Gompa has a brightly painted chörten. It’s located up the hill, past the line of Tibetan restaurants, towards the Drölma Lhakhang.
Pharping
This shrine is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, who identify Saraswati as Tara. It’s accessed via a set of steps to the west of Sakya Tharig Gompa.
Ilam
This tower offers captivating views of the Ilam Bazaar and the remote villages of surrounding valleys. There's also a daal bhaat restaurant (meals Rs 250…
Bhaktapur
As you enter the Royal Palace complex there are two enormous war drums, which were used to rouse the city in the event of attack. They are hard to see…
Swayambhunath
This compound frequented by Tibetan pilgrims contains three enormous shining golden statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, a four-armed Chenresig and Guru Rinpoche,…
Bhaktapur
East of the Golden Gate is this palace featuring 55 intricately carved wooden windows stretching along its upper level.
Lumbini
Located on the grounds of the Myanmar Golden Temple is this huge gilded stupa in the southern Burmese style, inspired by the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon.
Mother Temple of the Graduated Path to Enlightenment
Lumbini
The Austrian Geden International Foundation constructed this complex of stupas and monastery buildings, the latter in classical Greek style.
Bhaktapur
This two-tiered temple features different incarnations of Vishnu on the ceiling struts and a statue of Garuda on the pillar at the entrance.
Around the Kathmandu Valley
Dominating the small, main village square is this ochre-painted, triple-tiered temple with carved balconies covered by fretwork screens.
Around the Kathmandu Valley
The enormous 40m-high statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) constructed in 2012 overlooks the monasteries of Dollu and Pharping.
Around the Kathmandu Valley
On the narrow lane leading from the town's main square is this low-key, dusty museum displaying cultural objects from the area.
Pashupatinath
Pilgrims flock to this fascinating market to pick up prasad (religious offerings) and spiritual souvenirs.
Paljorling Tibetan Refugee Settlement
Pokhara
Almost indistinguishable among the hustle and bustle of Prithvi Chowk is this small Tibetan refugee settlement.
Lumbini
The grand and moated Sri Lankan Monastery contains elaborate and colourful murals depicting the life of Buddha.
Lumbini
About 29km west of Lumbini, Tilaurakot has been identified as the historical site of Kapilavastu, where Siddhartha Gautama spent the first 29 years of his…
Pachali Bhairab & the Southern Ghats
Kathmandu
The northern banks of the Bagmati River south of the old town are home to several little-visited temples and shrines, as well as the worst urban poverty…
Chitwan National Park
A few hundred metres past the park headquarters in Kasara is a crocodile breeding project, where you can see both gharials and marsh muggers up close. The…
Pashupatinath
The path drops out of the forest to the large, courtyard-style Guhyeshwari Temple, built by King Pratap Malla in 1653 and dedicated to Parvati (the wife…
