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The
political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, is
the first stop for the majority of visitors to the
country. Once a separate kingdom in itself, it
contains three fabled cities - Kathmandu (population
550,000); Patan (160,000); and Bhaktapur (population
75,000). There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
in the Valley. The history of the Valley begins with
the Buddhist saint Manjushree who slashed a passage
through the surrounding hills to drain out the
primordial waters and make it inhabitable.
Over the centuries, a refined urban civilization
emerged, built on a unique synthesis of Hinduism and
Buddhism. Dynasties came and went. Trade and the
arts flourished. Its deeply religious Newar
inhabitants built fabulous cities and artistic
temples that attracted devout pilgrims as well as
rampaging invaders. In the late 18th century,
following the founding of modern Nepal within more
or less the present boundaries, Kathmandu was made
the capital.
The Kathmandu valley boasts of seven
worlds cultural Heritage sites all with in a radius
of 20kms. The world’s Heritages sites in Kathmandu
are:
Swayambhunath
Boudhanath
Pashupatinath
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Changu Narayan
Sightseeing In Nepal |
