Nepal
is a land of assortment. Variance lies everywhere. You will have adventure,
religion, architecture and heritage on the same platter. Come let us visit
some of the major tourist attractions of Nepal.
| Adventure places |
Annapurna Sanctuary, Mount Everest trekking route and Royal Chitwan
National Park |
| Holy sites |
Pashupatinath Temple, Syambunath, Changu Naryan temple |
| World Heritage sites |
Bhaktapur Durbar square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Changunarayan
temple, Royal Chitwan National Park and Pashupatinath Temple |
| Architectural sites |
Bodhnath Stupa, Hanuman Dhoka, Syambunath |
Adventurous Sites/ Hiking Treks
Annapurna Range
Starting point to the most astonishing treks to Annapurna Base Camp,
Annapurna Range is rightly called the 'Range of the Gods'. A blissful site,
the Range is a natural amphitheater ringed by giant, heavenly treks like
Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang and the fishtail peak of
Machhapuchhare. With several peaks ranging above 7000 meters, the experience
is indeed thrilling.
Mount Everest Trekking Route
Visitors dream of trekking to the foot of the world's highest peak Mt.
Everest, called Sagarmatha in Nepali language, located in the Khumbu region
of east Nepal. The region includes upper catchments area of the Dudha Koshi
and Bhote Koshi rivers. The area is largely composed of the rugged terrain
and gorges of the high Himalayas ranging from 5,800m to the top of the world
Mt. Everest (8,848m).
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Bhaktapur Durbar
square
Kathmandu's Durbar Square was built primarily in the 16th and 17th
centuries. It contains a royal palace (a 'durbar') and many temples built in
the traditional Newar, pagoda style. The golden gate, entrance to the Durbar
Square is a delight to the eyes, for an architectural beauty like this is
hard to discover. But what lies inside will change your definition of
beauty... the beauty of this UNESCO listed World heritage site destination
surpasses words!
Kathmandu Durbar
Square
Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage site travel destinations
by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces,
courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. The
square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the
Capital City.
Changunarayan Temple
This impressive double roofed Changu Narayan Temple is said to be the most
ancient Vishnu temple in the Kathmandu Valley. The original temple was built
around the 4th century. The present pagoda-style temple was rebuilt in 1702
after it was destroyed by fire. It is located in a beautiful peaceful
location, 4km north of Bhaktapur, on a hill top in the east side of the
Valley. The temple is UNESCO listed World Heritage site tourism attraction.
Golden Gate
The strikingly beautiful Golden Gate is Nepal's pride. The gate is
embellished with precious stones and is of great religious ands historical
importance. The door is royal in built and structure and surmounted by the
figure of Kali and Garuda. It is believed that the golden gate is two
heavenly nymphs. The architecture and unsurpassable beauty of the gate
enamors the tourists.
Royal Chitwan
National Park
Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) has long been one of the country's
treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal,
covering 932 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The
area comprising the Tikauli forest - from Rapti river to the foothills of
the Mahabharat (place) - extends over an area of 175 sq. km. The area was
gazetted as the country's first national park in 1973. Recognizing its
unique ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO declared RCNP a
World Heritage Site in 1984.
Pashupatinath Temple
The magnificent temple of Lord Pashupatinath, about 5 kms north-east of
Kathmandu, is situated amidst many other temples on the right bank of the
river Bagmati. Pashupatinath Temple is considered to be the holiest Hindu
Pilgrimage site in Nepal. Dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva, the shrines and
temples of Pashupatinath attract thousands of visitors from within and
outside the country every year. This wooded ravine near the golf course and
airport is considered to be one of the abodes of Lord Shiva.
Buddhist Site/ Architectural Site
Bodhnath Stupa
Bodhnath Stupa is a bastion of Tibetan culture in the heart of the
Kathmandu valley. Energized by the arrival of thousands of Tibetans after
the 1959 Chinese invasion, the temple has become one of the most important
centers of Tibetan Buddhism. Bodhnath is the largest stupa in Nepal and was
probably built in the 14th century after the Mughal invasions. From the air
it looks like a giant Mandala, or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos.
Syambunath
Known as the monkey temple, Syambhunath has remained substantially
unchanged since the 14th century. An appreciation of the stupa is best
gained by proceeding around it in a clockwise direction. As people walk
round while praying, wheels fixed to the balustrade are set in motion.
Hindu/Jain Sites/ Architectural Sites
Changu Narayan Temple
Located 24 km away from Kathmandu, Changunarayan Temple is the oldest of
all temples in the valley and also one of the most interesting ensembles.
The foundation dates back to the 7th century AD. The temple is dedicated to
Hindu Lord Vishnu (often called Narayan). Stone sculptures standing in the
large courtyard are eye catching.
Hanuman Dhoka
Hanuman Dhoka is the former Royal Palace of the Malla kings and
sequentially of the Shah dynasty. Several complexes, taking up about five
acres, are connected together. Outside the palace is a stone inscription
stationed by the late KingPratap Malla. The inscription has matter written
on it in 15 different languages. It is said that if someone reads the
inscription, then milk would gush out from the middle of it. Hanuman's
statue, dressed in a red cloak, placed outside the darbar, is an object of
devotion.
