Vicinity
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Thamel (3 km)
Thamel is a major tourist hub in the Kathmandu Valley. The full Wi-Fi zone has been a tourist attraction in Kathmandu for more than four decades. There are thousands of shops selling food, pastries, trekking and expedition gears, cloths, DVDs and handicrafts. Many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and travel agencies are located in Thamel. Moreover, there are foreign money exchange booths, pubs and clubs. Visitors can enjoy nightlife there. Despite its narrow streets, Thamel attracts around 80 per cent of the total international tourists who visit Kathmandu.
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Kathmandu Durbar Square (4 km)
The Kathmandu Durbar Square or Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is located in front of the old royal palace of the then Kathmandu Kingdom. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Durbar Square is encircled with spectacular architecture. That clearly shows the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over many centuries. There are palaces of the Malla and Shah dynasties. They had ruled over the city for many years. Stretched over five acres, the Durbar Square surrounds quadrangles showing artistic and ancient courtyards and temples. Most of the palaces and temples were constructed between the 16th and the 17th centuries. Various courtyards, temples and the museum are the major tourist attractions at the Kathmandu Durbar Square
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Pashupatinath (2.5 km)
Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, the Pashupatinath Temple is one of the world's most noteworthy Hindu temples of Shiva. The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. The temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams (Holy Abodes of Shiva) on the continent.
This is regarded as the most sacred among the temples of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivaratri is one of the main festivals of the temple. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from home and abroad visit the temple on that day. Only born Hindus are allowed to enter the temple. Others can look at it from other side of the river. -
Bouddhanath (5 km)
Bouddhanath is considered as one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Located about 11 kilometres northeast of the city of Kathmandu, the stupa's immense mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in the country. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. More than 50 Tibetan monasteries have been constructed at Buddhanath as the influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet into the area has been on the rise. The stupa is on the ancient trade route to Tibet. The stupa was built just after the demise of Lord Buddha. A lot of gold was used for the decoration of the holy building. It is believed that the stupa has entombed the remains of Kassapa Buddha. The pilgrimage site attracts a large number of tourists daily.
