Top Things to do in Kathmandu

 7 July 2022  Adventure Mountain Treks

Just landed in Kathmandu and want to explore the magnificent Kathmandu valley and its surroundings but have very less idea about the things to do here in Kathmandu.

Is Kathmandu a popular tourist destination? Certainly Yes.

Almost each and every turn in the valley introduces you to perplexing carvings, delightful pagodas, and colossal stone images. The area is filled with temples and shrines and seems to be a living history museum. Therefore, it becomes impossible to understand what to explore and what not to. Given your interests and time curb, we help you choose the right places and also provide non-stop amusement in the form of history and local mythology.

Kathmandu has so much to offer and the choice of varieties is so different it would make people confused about what to choose, whether you are an adventure lover looking for some adventure or a lover of fine arts wanting to explore the finest arts and crafts of the valley or have just returned from your tiresome trek and looking for some chill places to unwind, Kathmandu has it all. Kathmandu is a living museum with the backdrop of the Himalayas.

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#We have prepared our 10 best picks of things to do  while in Kathmandu

Visit Durbar Squares 

Kathmandu Durbar Square

The visit to the Durbar Squares is one of the must-see things while in Kathmandu. With the ancient architecture of the building its rich art craft and the history behind the creation of such wonderful monuments, You will be amazed at how rich and efficient the ancient technology was and how art is preserved in every nook and corner of the alleys of the heritage sites. You can also pay a visit to the living goddess  Kumari and be blessed with her grace.

Explore Traditional Cuisine

Yummy!! Thakali Khana

Nepali are big food enthusiasts, they prepare their food with love and varieties of spices which surely will give your taste bud a heavenly feeling. You can visit the thakali restaurant and try the famous Thakali Khana Set which is also a national dish of Nepal.

Newari People have their own way of preparing their food which reflects their culture. They are excellent master brewers from Nepal who prepare the best alcohol to go with their varieties of food cuisine. Our recommendation would be to try their Newari Khaja Set and some aila to go with it and while in Nepal don’t forget to try the famous local delicacy momo.

Visit Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath_Mandir

Our third choice while in Kathmandu is a visit to Pashupatinath Temple. Pashupatinath aka the lord of all living beings is a national deity of Nepal. Pashupatinath is the oldest Hindu temple built around 400 BCE which is also listed on the world heritage list.

Morning and Evening are special when visiting the Pashupatinath Temple. In the morning people came over to worship the deity and you could witness the culture firsthand, similarly, in the evening people came here to observe the Arati ceremony where people danced and chant the ancient Vedic mantras and were fully involved in devotion.

Pashupatinath also is a Hindu cremation place where people believe to get salvation if they are cremated here in Pashupatinath. You could see people cremated according to the Hindu culture on the banks of Pashupati just opposite the main temple. Where people are observing the arati fully in trance, there is also another side of Pashupati where people are cremated Generally whole life circle as a whole can be witnessed in the Pashupati from the young children diving the Bagmati river, a young person witnessing the arati to the cremation it helps understand life as a whole process and be grateful for all the things we have in life.

• Visit Boudhanath Stupa 

Boudhanath_Stupa-_Largest_Stupa_In_The_World_

Boudhanath is a massive spherical stupa situated at 11kms from the city center of Kathmandu. Buddhists believe it to be the horizon between earth and heaven as a beacon. The place has peaceful vibes and you can witness Buddhist culture firsthand. Boudha is also famous for the Tibetan delicacies, we recommend you to try the famous laphing and Kima noodles when in Boudha 

 Boudhanath’s gargantuan, spherical shape dominates the Kathmandu skyline. Daily, thousands of pilgrims from various religious traditions visit the shrine. As part of their religious ritual, they circumnavigate the colossal dome, known as ‘kora’. Those who do kora in  the stupa with no ill thoughts in their hearts will receive good karma.

Visit Chandragiri Hill Stations

Chandragiri

Chandragiri is a popular hill station of Kathmandu that sets up as a perfect viewpoint of the valley and mountain ranges. You can take a cable car to reach the top of the hill, the cable ride will be through the forest, and there is also a resort where you can unwind from all the hustles and bustles of the city and enjoy the scenic view of the valley and fully relax.

Celebrate Festivals with the locals 

People Gathered for Indra Jatra at Kathmandu Durbar Square

When in Kathmandu, you should take the opportunity to celebrate festivals with the locals, the city comes alive with people celebrating in a joyful mood. The popular Indra Jatra and Bisket Jatra show the culture of Nepal, with people on the streets celebrating the chariot of different gods and goddesses, as well as seeing the living goddess Kumari.

Visit to Changunarayan 

The_Oldest_Tempe_Changunarayan

Changunarayan is the oldest temple in Nepal, dating back to 464 AD. It remains a landmark in Nepali temple architecture with its rich embossed works. A stone plinth supports the temple’s roof. ` Also, we can find the temples of Lord Shiva, Ashta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor, and Krishna inside the courtyard of the main temple.

There The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and the other idols are carved in the struts, which support the roof. The entrance door is gilded with carvings of Nāaga (snakes). On the main entrance gate (i.e. western entrance gate), we can find the Chakra, Sankha, Kamal, and Khadga all at the top of a stone pillar. These stone pillars have an inscription in Sanskrit. This inscription is considered to be the oldest inscription of Nepal and the stone inscription pillar was erected by Licchavi (kingdom) King Manadeva in 464 AD. Visiting Changunarayan while in Kathmandu gives you a rare insight into the history culture and tradition of Nepal.  

Enjoy Thamel

Thamel at Night

A clutter of trekking shops, trinket shops, travel organizations, and an extraordinary number of little lodgings and eateries makes an exceptional mood for the viewing pleasure of anyone passing by. You will not be vacant stomach in the avenues of Thamel from delectable scents of nourishment to assortments to drink. Standard eateries with exceptional assortments to road sustenance where stray canines gaze planning to get a snack as you chomp down on luxuries. Also, obviously, the city has adjusted well to innovation, pretty much every coffee shop has “Free WiFi”. Be that as it may, never pass up attempting ordinary delightful Nepali cooking Daal Bhat and Gundruk Dido.

With the western culture multiplying all through Asia so did the patterns of live groups and gigs in bars, performing and finding their spotlight. From gathering monstrosities, shake sweethearts, and awesome jazz to the calming hints of the chill outside the box vibes a lovely place for all the night owls to ponder and soak in. Antique darling’s heaven the artworks of wood, stone, and metals are an alternate site to see.

Visit the Monkey Temple i.e Swyambunath

Swayambhunath

Swayambhu (Sanskrit: स्वयंभू) is a Sanskrit word that means “self-manifested”, “self-existing”, or “that is created by its own accord”. The dome stupa sits on the top of a hilltop with 365 steps leading to the top. 365 steps represents 365 day. If you are not too fond of steps there is also a different route reaching directly to the top with fewer steps. We recommend you to visit the dome stupa and enjoy the panoramic views of the city. You will see the eyes of Buddha which represent the spiritual eye watching over the valley. The city of Swyambhu is an excellent place to witness the religious harmony of Nepal. Where both Hindu and Buddhist cultures coexists.

Visit Garden of Dreams

This wonderful garden was designed by Kaiser Smasher in 1895 BS. It has an exquisite ensemble of pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture, and European-inspired pergolas, balustrades, urns, and statues within its walls. The garden was built to give the travelers a respite from the city’s chaos. There are six freestanding pavilions in Nepal, each representing one of the six seasons. In addition to providing the Garden’s architectural framework, these pavilions added a taste of cosmopolitan style to its formal arrangements of flowers, shrubs, and trees. So when in Kathmandu do visit the garden of Dreams