Other Cities / Places - Kathmandu Valley

Patan
Patan is separated form Kathmandu by the Bagmati River and is the second largest town in the valley. It is also known as Lalitpur, which means city of beauty. Patan has a long Buddhist history and have stupas at four corners. Like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square is also packed with temples. Most of these temples are built during the Malla kings period.

Places in patan (Lalitpur)

Durbar Square
As in Kathmandu, Patan also has an old royal palace built during the Malla kings period. Most of the temples here are built in Newari architecture. The rectangular square has an axis from north, south, east and west to the Royal Palace. Malla kings who used to rule over Patan in the ancient times used to love art and architecture. To fulfill their wishes, many buildings having excellent arts such as wood carving, stone carving etc. were made. These buildings, which were created by skilled Nepali architects have stood firmly for centuries defying all the barriers of nature.

Historical Palace
The Royal Palace is located in the heart of Patan, Mangal Bazaar. Parts of the Royal Palace was built in the 14th Century and main construction was done during 17th & 18th Century by Malla kings.

Mul Chwok & Taleju Temple
This is one of the largest courtyard among the three main chowks. Bidya Temple stands at the centre of the courtyard and three Taleju temples stand around the courtyard.

Sundari Chowk & Tusha Hiti
South of the Mul Chowk is the Sundari Chowk with its sunken tank known as Tusha Hiti Mul Chwok & Taleju Temple. This is one of the largest courtyard among the three main chowks. Bidya Temple stands at the centre of the courtyard and three Taleju temples stand around the courtyard.

Mani Keshar Chowk
This is the northern courtyard to be entered through golden gate. The golden gate is gilded with Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh and Kumar. This is the newest part of the palace. Above the golden door is a golden window from there king would make public appearances.

Golden Temple
This temple is known as Kwa Bahal among Newari people and Hiranya Verna Mahavihar among the others. This unique Buddhist monastery is well known as Golden Temple. This monastery was found in the 12th century and recorded its existence in 1409. The simple entrance gives no hint of the magnificent structure in the courtyard within.

Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur,also known as Bhadgaon or the city of Devotees, is the third major town in the Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur was the capital of the whole valley during the 14th to 16th century. Much of the towns great architecture dates from the end of 17th century. This town is also well known as Newari Architecture town. Bhaktapur rises upon the northern bank of Hanumante River. All foreigners visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square are charged a fee .

Bhaktapur is also famous for their home made curd which is known in Nepal as Khopa Dhau. This is the pottery center of the valley and a visit to Potters' square is a must. You will get to see lots of different types of handmade souvenirs ( wood-carvings, puppets, thangkas, caps etc.) inside the Square

Golden Gate & 55 Window Palace
This famous 55 Window palace was built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754. The entrance to this Palace is well known as Golden Gate or Sunko Dhoka in Nepali, and is the most important piece of art in the whole valley. A Garuda tops the gate and is shown disposing of a number of serpents. The four headed and 16 armed figure of the goddess Taleju Bhawani is below the Garuda.

Hill Station
There are various places around the edge of the Kathmandu Valley which offer great views. These places are not so far away from the valley and easily accessible.

Nagarkot
Nagarkot is generally hailed to be the best for the mountain watchers. People normally spend the night in one of the lodges to see the sun set and sun rise. Nagarkot extends the views all the way from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchanjunga in the east. There are number of walks from Nagarkot, down to cheese factory, Sundarijal, Changu-Narayan and Bhaktapur. It is about an hours drive from Kathmandu.

Other visiting places around kathmandu valley

Dhulikhel
On the skirts the southern side of Bhaktapur , down to Banepa , towards to Tibetan border is a hill station called Dhulikhel. It is easier than the steep and winding road to Nagarkot, is also famous for the short treks. Its population is Newar, although there are people of many other groups in the surrounding villages. This place was gathering point of hippies who even planned to build their own temple here. This place is also surrounded by Harisiddhi temple, Vishnu Temple, Krishna Temple and Bhagwati Temple, Shiva Temple and Famous Kali temple. People often spend the night in one of the lodges here to sun set and sun rise. It is about an hours drive from Kathmandu.


Phulchwoki
This 2,762 m. hilltop is the highest point around the valley and is also known as home to one of the last surviving cloud forest in central Nepal. This place is just 45 minutes drive from the valley and the only place, where snow falls during the winter. Above all, there lies a shrine of Phulchwoki Mai. Generally visitors travel by cycle to Godavari and walk all the way to Phulchwoki as it is known for the short walk destination.

Panauti
Standing in a peaceful valley roughly 8 Km south of Banepa, the small beautiful town of Panauti is at a junction of the rivers Roshi and Pungmati. Similar to that of Ilahabad in India, a third ‘invisible’ river is declared to join the other two at the confluence point. This Town is relatively untouched but where festivals preserving tradition of the indigenous Newars are held. It possesses a number of interesting temples, one of which perhaps be the oldest in Nepal. Besides it is famous for magnificent woodcarvings. Panauti once stood at the junction of important trading routes and had a royal palace in its principal square. Today it’s just a quiet backwater, yet all the more interesting for that. Concerning trek, an interesting walk leads from Dhulikhel to Panouti. The pleasant two-hour stroll starts off south from Dhulikhel, then turns west crossing rice-fields and running along the course of tiny stream. It eventually hits the Banepa - Panauti road a little north of the town.

Budhanilkantha Temple
About eight kilometers north of Kathmandu, at the base of Shivapuri hill as a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Bishnu, reclining of the bed of Snake. This is one of the masterpieces of stone sculptures of Lichchhavi period. This fifth century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water.