Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is a city with a stunning location in the Himalayas. The city was founded in 723 by Raja Gunakamadeva and was originally known as Manju-Patan. During the Licchavi period, which lasted until about 750, Kathmandu flourished as an important trading center. The city later became part of the Malla Kingdom, where it experienced great economic, cultural and architectural development. The Malla kings ruled from about 1200 and built many of the temples and palaces that can still be seen today. In 1768, Kathmandu became the capital of a unified Nepal under the Shah dynasty, marking the beginning of a new era of political and cultural unity.

In the 20th century, Kathmandu underwent significant changes, especially after the 1950s, when Nepal opened up to the outside world. The city became a center for tourism and international trade, and in the 1970s Kathmandu became a popular destination for backpackers and hippies, leading to an increase in the number of hotels, restaurants and shops. Today, the city is a modern metropolis that combines its rich history with modern development. Kathmandu has also experienced significant infrastructural and institutional improvements, including the expansion of the road network and the establishment of Tribhuvan University in 1959.

However, Kathmandu has experienced significant events and changes in recent decades. In 2001, the tragic Nepalese royal massacre took place, in which Crown Prince Dipendra killed several family members, leading to Gyanendra becoming the last king of Nepal. From 1996 to 2006, Nepal also experienced a ten-year civil war between Maoist rebels and government forces, which ended with a peace agreement and transition to a republic in 2008. The next major event occurred on April 25, 2015, when Kathmandu was hit by a devastating earthquake that killed almost 9,000 people and destroyed many historic buildings. That same year, Nepal’s new constitution was adopted, marking an important political milestone.

In the center of Kathmandu, you can enjoy the city’s atmosphere and historic buildings. The starting point for a good walk is the area around Durbar Square and Yogbir Singh Marg, which is the heart of Kathmandu. Durbar Square is surrounded by historic palaces, temples and courtyards dating back to the Malla period. Here you can take a leisurely walk and experience the lively and good atmosphere while admiring the beautiful buildings or visiting the many small shops and cafes in the neighborhood. If you want to continue exploring the narrow and cozy streets, you just have to go exploring, and you can, for example, walk north towards the Thamel neighborhood.

Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an interesting place that should be a must-see for visitors to the city. The Durbar Square is home to the old royal palace, Hanuman Dhoka, an impressive complex of buildings that includes the royal palaces of both the Malla and Shah dynasties. The name Hanuman Dhoka comes from a stone statue of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, which stands at the main entrance to the palace. Dhoka means door or gate in Nepali.

The Hanuman Dhoka Palace was originally built in the 16th century and was later expanded by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century. The palace has ten courtyards, and the oldest parts still date from the mid-16th century. One of the most notable courtyards is Nasal Chok, where King Birendra was crowned in 1975. Hanuman Dhoka also houses several museums, including the Tribhuvan Museum and the Mahendra Museum, which display personal belongings and artifacts of Nepal’s past kings.

There are also many other historical buildings, temples, and museums around Durbar Square. Here, you can fully experience the rich cultural heritage and impressive architectural details that characterize the area. If you are interested in the history and culture of Nepal, a visit to the Tribhuvan Museum and the Mahendra Museum are two good choices. You can also see Taleju Temple, which is a temple built in 1549. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Taleju Bhawani, who was the goddess of the Malla dynasty, and it is built atop a pedestal with many steps and small miniature temples.

Pashupatinath Temple is another important religious site in Kathmandu. It is a Hindu temple complex a little east of the city center, and it is dedicated to the god Shiva in the form of Pashupati and is one of the most sacred places for Hindus. The temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati River and is known for its many sacred rituals and ceremonies. Pashupatinath, like Durbar Square, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and pilgrims regularly visit the fine temple. The temple is located as a large and interesting complex consisting of many smaller temples, ashrams, a primary pagoda and other things, which create an atmosphere of deep spirituality that was particularly interesting to experience.

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, and it is known from at least the 400s. The temple’s main pagoda is where Shiva’s linga or phallus symbol is kept. It symbolizes Shiva’s creative power, and the temple also represents Shiva’s head, and it is connected to a number of other temples in, not least India, where, for example, Shiva’s body is connected to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. The temple complex is considered sacred by Buddhists and is associated with several Mahasiddhas such as Matsyendranath, Gorakhnath, Padmasambhava, Naropa and Tilopa. The temple grounds are also believed to be the place where Gorakhnath opened up hatha yoga to people from all walks of life.

The importance of Pashupatinath Temple for Hindus cannot be underestimated. As a visitor, you can learn a lot about Hinduism and its ceremonies during a visit, and you can of course also experience the temple itself, which consists of much more than the main pagoda. The temple area is considerable, and there are several temples such as the Vishnu temple Ram Mandir, and you can see several statues of Buddha, Ganesh and Garuda, among others. There is also a cremation zone along the river integrated into the complex, and this includes ceremonies and meanings that are also known from, for example, Indian Varanasi.

If you want to continue your temple experiences, you can go to Swayambhu Mahachaitya, which is a temple located on top of a hill west of the center. It is a place that is also known as the Monkey Temple, and it is both the temple and the view of Kathmandu from the temple that are part of the attraction and experience here. The temple is an important pilgrimage site and is known for its many monkeys that live in the area, which is where the nickname comes from of course. Swayambhu Mahachaitya is also one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal, and it is built with a central stupa decorated with colorful prayer flags, Buddha’s eyes in all four directions, and a large golden spire, symbolizing enlightenment.

Another beautiful site is the Buddha Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world, and it is also an important Buddhist pilgrimage site as a symbol of the embodiment of all the enlightened minds of the Buddhas. The stupa is surrounded by many monasteries and shops selling religious items and various souvenirs. The Buddha Stupa is located in an almost circular square in Kathmandu, where the entire center of the square is the site of the stupa with the large white dome and the many prayer flags hanging around it. The stupa was built in the 14th century and is said to contain relics of Kasyapa Buddha.

Architecturally, the Buddha Stupa is an impressive structure with a large mandala or symmetrical figure at the base, making it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The stupa is adorned with the eyes of the Buddha, which symbolize enlightenment and oversee the course of life. The stupa is not only a monument, but also a living center for centuries-old rituals, prayers and traditions. During the Tibetan New Year celebrations, called Losar, thousands of devotees gather to walk around the stupa, turn prayer wheels and recite prayers. In 1979, the stupa was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing its cultural, historical and architectural significance.

There are a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, and like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square is included in the World Heritage List. Patan Durbar Square is located in the nearby city of Patan, which has now grown together with Kathmandu. Like its namesake in Kathmandu, the square is known for its many temples, palaces and courtyards dating back to the Malla period. The name Durbar Square means that the square is located near a royal palace, and the square in Patan is an ensemble of beautiful Newar architecture.

Present-day Nepal used to consist of smaller kingdoms, and the existing squares named Durbar Square are reminders of these kingdoms. Thus, there are three versions of Durbar Square in the Kathmandu Valley; Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, which originally belonged to their own kingdom despite being close to each other in today’s Nepal. In addition to the palace and temple architecture on Patan Durbar Square, you can visit the Patan Museum, located in the old royal palace. It is an exciting museum that houses an impressive collection of religious and cultural objects that provide an insight into Nepal’s art and history.

Close to the center of Kathmandu, you can see another palace that is also used as a museum today. It is the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, which is one of the most important museums in Kathmandu. The museum was formerly the residence of the Nepalese royal family and was converted into a museum in 2008. Here you can learn about Nepal’s royal history and see many of the royal treasures, belongings, furniture, etc. that are on display. The museum covers quite a large area and offers a fascinating insight into the life and culture of Nepal’s former monarchs. The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is also known for its beautiful garden, and after a visit, you can also take a walk in the neighboring garden, Swapna Bagaicha or Garden of Dreams, which was laid out in the 1920s after English Edwardian models.