Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal and the namesake of the Kathmandu Valley. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is now a hub for independent travelers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets.
The city is situated in Kathmandu Valley that also contains two other cities - Patan and Bhaktapur. Nepali is the lingua franca of the valley and is the most widely spoken language. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 4,500 ft and is inhabited by about 700,000 people. Kathmandu is the most developed city in Nepal.
The earliest known inscription in the Kathmandu Valley is dated 185 AD. The oldest
firmly dated building in the earthquake-prone valley is almost 1,992 years old. Four
stupas around the city of Patan said to have been erected by Charumati, attest to the
ancient history present within the valley. The Kirats are the first documented rulers of
Kathmandu Valley, the remains of their palace are in Patan near Hiranyavarna
Mahavihara (called "Patukodon"). The Licchavi Dynasty whose earliest inscriptions
date back to 464 AD were the next rulers of the valley. The Malla Dynasty consisted of
Newar rulers, who ruled Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding area from the 12th
century till the 17th century when the Shah Dynasty founder Prithvi Narayan Shah
conquered the valley as he created present-day Nepal. Most of ancient Nepali
architecture present in Nepal today is from the Malla/Newar era.
The city of Kathmandu is named after a structure in Durbar Square called
Kaasthamandap. This unique temple, also known as Maru Sattal, was built in 1596
A.D. by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. The entire structure contains no iron nails or
supports and is made entirely from wood. Legend has it that the timber used for this
two story pagoda was obtained from a single tree. Kathmandu is also sometimes
called "Kantipur". Newars, the native people of the Kathmandu valley use the original
term from Nepal Bhasa, Yne.
PLACE TO VISIT
Thamel - is a popular tourist destination in Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Thamel
has been the epicentre of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over two decades,
growing up between two of the original hotels, the Kathmandu Guesthouse and
Hotel Uste. Even though Thamel has been referred to as the "ghetto" by some, most
low-budget travelers consider it a tourist haven.
Swayambhunath - along with the huge Boudhanath stupa to the east, is one
of the most ancient and holiest Buddhist sites in the Kathmandu. It sits on a hill in
the west of Kathmandu overlooking the city.
Boudhanath - is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is
known as Khasti by Newars as Bauddha or Bodh-nath by modern speakers of
Nepali. Located about 11 km (7 miles) from the center and northeastern outskirts of
Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical
stupas in Nepal
Pashupatinath temple - is regarded as the most sacred temple of Shiva
(Pashupati) in Nepal. "Shivaratri" or night of lord Shiva is the most important festival
celebrated in this temple. Along the shores of the Bagmati river near the temple lies
"Arya Ghat", the most widely used place of cremation for the deceased in Nepal,
especially in and around the Kathmandu valley.
Changu Narayan - is the name of the deity enshrined in the Changu Narayan
Temple, located near Changu village in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The temple is
one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to be constructed in the
3rd century. Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to
him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and
is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal.
Swayambunath - great views over the city and no lack of monkeys. 25 mins.
walk from Thamel. Pay a fee to enter at the front steps or slip in free on the ramp on
the south side.
King's Palace - Giant fruit bats hanging from the tall trees and 20 foot-tall
bamboo around the otherwise modern (and well secured) palace are a sight--
especially around sunset when they depart en masse.
Kathmandu Durbar Square - The heart of Kathmandu this ancient square
crowded with palaces and temples, including the current incarnation of the
Kasthamandap or "Wooden house" that gives the city its name. The square has
been in active use since the construction of a palace around 1000 AD. This site is
the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal.
There is a charge of Rs 200 (Around 3 US Dollars) to enter this area. Magical in the
very early morning and evening, Durbar Square can be an exhausting experience
due to the overwhelming number of young men offering to be "guides." Be firm with
saying "no" if you are not interested, but realize that looking at a map, or even
standing still for a moment will be an invitation to a dozen other would-be "helpers".
A place not to be missed is a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square Museum.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport' (KTM) airport is the
largest, and only international airport in Nepal. Most flights arrive via Delhi or
Bangkok, and of the remaining only a few originate from outside Asia. Airport service
charge is not included in tickets for flights departing from Kathmandu, and a charge
Rs 791 for SAARC destinations and Rs 1,130 out of SAARC destinations must be
paid at Tribhuvan International Airport before check in.
By bus - Kathmandu has frequent and cheap bus service to nearly all parts of
Nepal, unfortunately due to poor roads and frequent delays the buses are some of
the slowest and least comfortable in South Asia. Connections include India (usually
Gorakhpur, Varanasi or Lucknow) and other parts of Nepal such as Royal Chitwan
National Park and the trekking hubs of Pokhara and Jiri. For points of departure in
India or Tibet see the Nepal 'Get in' section. Buses arriving from the Indian border,
Pokhara and Chitwan terminate either at the bus station across from New Road or
near Thamel.
