Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. At the foot of the Himalayas, Chitwan is one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the ‘Terai’ region, which formerly extended over the foothills of India and Nepal. It covers and area of 932 square Kilometers and is listed in the World Heritage Site to protect the endangered species inside the park. One Horned Rhinos and Royal Bengal Tigers are the main two animals that are famous in the park. Spotting them while on a safari will be the joy of a lifetime. The Park has a rich flora and fauna. It was officially established in 1973 and included as Natural Heritage Site in 1984.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is in the heart of old city Kathmandu in Basantapur. It is one of the three durbar squares in the Kathmandu Valley. The Royal complex was residence to Nepal’s Royal family before the construction of the Narayanhiti Royal Palace. The founding of the Palace dates back to Licchavi times. The Durbar Square is surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly Showcases the Skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries. There are around 50 temples in the vicinity including the temple of Royal titular deity, Taleju Bhawani. The Durbar is divided into two courtyards, the outer comprising Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple and the inner consisting of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. It also houses two museums. Since 2003 the site has been inscribed in the World Heritage list as being in danger out of concern for the ongoing loss of authenticity and the outstanding universal value of the cultural property.

The most ancient and enigmatic of all the Valley’s holy shrines lies 2 km west of Kathmandu city, across the Vishnumati river. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are lots of monkeys in this temple. The golden spire of Syambhunath stupa crowns a wooded hillock and offers a commanding view of Kathmandu city. On clear days, one can even view a line of Himalayan peaks. The view is splendid at dusk as the city illuminates like a jewel. The place has become a popular hang out among the locals. Syambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, including a Tibetan monastery, a museum and a library. Painted on the four-sided base of the spire are the watching eyes of Lord Buddha. Syambhunath Temple is listed in the World Heritage Site. Since 2003, the site has been listed in the World Heritage Site.

Patan Durbar Suare complex, situated in the center of Patan city, houses the residence of the former Royal family of Patan. It is situated on the south side of the Bagmati River, which separates it from the City of Kathmandu on the northern side. The square is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Walking down the narrow streets you would come across traditional building and tiny shops of artists, metalworkers, wood workers and stonecutters. Patan is indeed renowned for its fine craftsmanship. Patan Durbar Square also houses a temple of Taleju Bhawani. Patan was included in the world Heritage Site list in the year 1979.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square houses the 55 – window Palace which was constructed by King Bhupatinadra Malla and was home to royalty until 1769. Bhaktapur is a home to traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, rich local customs and culture and the every day life of Bhaktapur people. The city lies about 14km east of Kathmandu and is the third largest city in Kathmandu valley. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is renown for its beauty and it is listed in the World Heritage Site. Strewn with unique palaces, temples and monasteries best admired for their exquisite artworks in wood, metal and stone, the palatial enclave has bewitched pilgrims and travellers for centuries. Places to visit in Bhaktapur are Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Nyatapol Temple, The Bhaktapur National Art Gallery, Bhairavnath Temple of Bhaktapur and Dattatraya Temple.

Changunarayan lies on a ridge over looking the valley, about twelve-kilometer to the east of the city. It is regarded as one of the oldest temple of the Kathmandu Valley, constructed somewhere in the 3rd century and it is included in the World Heritae Site. Changu Narayan is the temple of Vishnu, the preserver , in the village of Changu in Bhaktapur. The temple is believed to be sixteen hundred years old. It is embellished by the best examples of stone, wood, and metal craft. On the struts of the two-tiered Changu Narayan Temple, are the ten incarnations of Narayan. A sixth-century stone statue shows the cosmic form of Vishnu. Garuda, half man and half bird, is the steed of Vishnu, and his life-sized statue kneels before the temple.

Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Kapilavastu district of Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Lord Buddha was born. Indian King Ashoka visited the place and erected his commemorative pillars there. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath. Things to see in Lumbini are Mayadevi temple, Lumbini Museum, Lumbini International Research Institute, Kapilvastu Museum and numerous other temples. The Kapilvastu museum has ruins of ancient capital of Sakya kingdom where the Buddha spend his youth as Prince Siddhartha. Being a birth place of Lord Buddha is of extreme archeological importance and is listed in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site.

Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist site in Nepal. Located about 11km from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The stupa, well known as Khasti, is enlisted in the World Heritage Site. It dominates the skyline as it looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design. Along with Syambhunath it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.

Unique among natural heritage sites worldwide is the Sagarmatha National Park, which includes Mt. Everest (8,848m) and other high peaks such as Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde. It lies to the northeast of Kathmandu. The park was gazetted in July 1976. It covers an area of 1,148sq.km. of Himalayan ecological zone. Several rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda, are found in the park. The UNESCO recognized Sagarmatha National Park as a world heritage site in 1976 as the park contains superlative natural beauty and is of great aesthetic importance. The presence of the Sherpas, with their unique culture, adds further interest to this site.

The temple of Pashupatinath is the holiest of all the Shiva shrines in Nepal and is the abode of lord Pashupatinath, the guardian God of Nepal. Pasupatinath area has a sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river. The temple of Pashupatinath is a large double – roofed pagoda of gold gilt and brass; the gateway are plated with silver. It is located about 5 km northeast of Kathmandu and contains the sacred lingam or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. The temple is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Believers in Pashupatinath are allowed to enter the temple premises. Non Hindu visitors are allowed to have a look at the temple from the other bank of Bagmati river. There is a crematoriun outside the temple by the side of the wide but shallow river. On the occasion of the annual festival of Shivaratri, the temple is thronged by thousands of devotees, including a large number of pilgrims from India. The temple is also the site of a number of other different festivals and rituals taking place throughout the year.