Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
world famous. In fact, of Nepal's 10 UN World Heritage Sites, 7
are located within the Kathmandu Valley. They include monu-
ments and old buildings such as palaces, temples, and
stupas
(a Buddhist religious structure). Among them, the palaces
include Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan Dhoka Darbar
Square, and Bhaktapur Darbar Square; Hindu temples include
Pashupatinath and Changunarayan; and Buddhist stupas in-
clude Swayambhunath and Buddhanath. The Kathmandu Val-
ley offers an incredible array of Buddhist shrines and Hindu
temples, making the area an open museum.
Over time, the local Newar people created a unique culture
in their valley homeland. Many visitors have admired their art,
architecture, and lifestyle. Some have commented that “every
other building is a temple and every other day is a festival.”
Among the festivals celebrated in Nepal, Gai Jatra, Ghode Jatra,
Red Machhindra Jatra, Maha Shivaratri, and Buddha Jayanti
are the most popular in the Kathmandu Valley.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu (previously named Kantipur) is the major social,
cultural, political, and economic hub, as well as the first entry
point of most tourists entering the country. Nepal's only inter-
national airport is centrally located in the Kathmandu Valley.
The city is rich in ancient cultures, traditions, and buildings.
The prevailing lifestyle, ceremonies, old temples, buildings,
and monuments reflect the richness of a tradition blended in
Hinduism and Buddhism. Kathmandu is known as the “City
of the Gods.” Therefore, the city's major tourist attractions are
religious structures such as temples, shrines, and monuments.
At the very heart of Kathmandu is Hanuman Dhoka Dar-
bar Square. This ancent square includes a complex of palaces
(including Kumari Ghar, home of the living goddess Kumari),
courtyards, temples, and a museum. Most structures were
built between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries. Hanuman
Dhoka Palace was the main political center and residence of
