The Kathmandu valley, the political, commercial & cultural hub of Nepal is the first stop for majority of visitors to the country. Once separate kingdom in itself, contains three important cities:- Kathmandu/ Patan/ Bhaktapur(Bhadgaon) each is an artistic exposition of graceful temples, elegant  palaces, brick paved courtyard and tranquil streets. There are seven UNESCO world heritage sites in the valley.

This  Durbar Square with its old temples & palaces, epitomizes the religious & the social life of the people. It is here the kings of Nepal are crowned & the coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see are: Taleju temple, Gigantic figure of Kalabhairab, Nautale Durbar, Nasal Chowk, the hall of public audience (Gaddhi Baithak), the statue of King Pratap malla, the big bell, the dig drum, Jaganath temple. Temple of “Kumari” the living Goddess.

This stupa watches over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. This huge stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal & its establishment is linked to the creation of Kathmandu valley out of a primordial lake. Swayambhu is also  known the Monkey temple because of the multitude of the monkeys there. This is 2000 years old stupa.

This lies about 6 kms to the east in down town Kathmandu & is the lagest stupa in the valley. It looms 36meter high and present one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design. There are more than 25 monasteries in the area.

One of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Pashupatinath lies 5 kms east of the city center. The richly ornamented pagoda temple houses the sacred linga (Shiva Linga) or phallic symbol of lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple’s existence prior to 200 BC. Near the temple there are crematoriums  in the Bank of Bagmati river.

This is situated below the Shivapuri hill at about 9 kilometers in the northern end of the valley. From the city center. The hub of the temple complex is a pond in which lies a great figure of the Hindu god Vishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent.