Nepal is a landlocked country located in the South East Asia. It lies in the Himalayas and sits in between two big countries, India and China. Nepal is rich in biodiversity and is popular as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
The diverse geography, fertile plains, subalpine forests, skyrocketing mountain ranges, and moderate climatic conditions have made it favorable for a perfect travel destination. Nepal is also known as the country of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. Nepal offers eight of the world's tallest mountains. It is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, and multi-cultural state.
Its capital is Kathmandu and Nepali is the main language of Nepal. Nepal is blessed with natural beauty like snow-covered mountains, lakes, glaciers, caves, fast-flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, highlands, meadows, lush green vegetation, and so on. This natural wonder has made Nepal an ideal destination for enjoying your vacation.
Nepal is a paradise for adventure lovers, travelers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. The scenic beauty of the Himalayas on top of green hills offers a lifetime experience to patrons. It is also known as the Kingdom of Snow Mountain because 8 of the 14 peaks of 8,000 meters are located in Nepal.
The perfect Asian civilization, a blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions contributes to unity in diversity. The variation in climate and geography has made it perfect for hiking destinations in the lap of the Himalayas. We have also published a blog under the title 5 Reasons to Visit Nepal, Make sure to click here. This article provides you with the top 10 most visited places in Nepal.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is famous as the Capital city of Nepal. It is enriched with cultural heritages, religious temples, wonderful bazaars, and shops, and different restaurants and cafes to hang out with your friends and family, unique culture and traditions. Kathmandu is known as a city of temples as you can find temples in every ten steps of walking in the streets.
The famous tourist destination of Kathmandu Valley is Kathmandu Durbar Square also known as Basantapur or Hanuman Dhoka. It is one of the ten UNESCO World Heritage sites of Nepal. The site comprises Hanumandhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar, Shiva-Parwati temple, Kasthamandap, museum, and Kaal Bhairav statues.
UNESCO World Heritage sites like Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Bouddhanath also lie within the corridor of the valley. Pashupatinath is a temple which dates back to the 5th century. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva which lies on the bank of the Bagmati river.
Although Hindu pilgrims also visit there, Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath are popular in Buddhist society. Swayambhunath is also known as the monkey temple where numerous monkeys have dwelled for the past few centuries. These two stupas are also enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites and one can see a crowd of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims throughout the years. Likewise, these two sites are not only famous from a religious point of view but also for Tibetan delicacies like Syabhale, Laphing, Keema noodles, etc.
Kathmandu is the most populated city and you can see the harmony and peace between different cultures and ethnic groups. Besides this, it is a shopping paradise, there are many shopping complexes, bazaars, and shops. Similarly, Thamel is popular for trekking and gear shops, busy nightlife, numerous souvenir and handicraft shops, and trekking and travel agencies. Our company also offers a day tour in Kathmandu Valley and a Luxury Tour in Kathmandu & Chandragiri Hills.
Kathmandu offers courtyards of drying chilies and rice, incense wafting out of shrines, national museums, and contemporary Nepali art galleries to hobbit-sized workshops, bustling bazaars, rickshaws, Thukpa and Everest beer. Hence, it is best for shopaholics, travel enthusiasts, foodies, tourists, and devotees.
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is one of the three ancient capitals in the Kathmandu valley. It is situated on the old trade route to Tibet just 16.2 km away from Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is famous for its wood carving, handicrafts, pottery, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Sidhha Pokhari, KamalPokhari, and so on.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is popular for Taumadhi Square, Durbar Square, Pottery Square, and Dattatreya Square. It is the smallest city in Nepal and only covers an area of 119 square km. Bhaktapur is mostly inhabited by the Newar community while Hindus and Buddhists also dwell there. Nyatapola Temple, Doleshwor Mahadev Temple, and Changunarayan Temple are some of the most tourist attractions of the city.
Visitors enjoy local delicacies like Chatamari, Bara, Juju dhau, Samaybaji, and traditional alcoholic beverages like chhyang and Aila. You can spend time shopping for local handicrafts like Thangka, singing bowls, glass beads, hemp products, unique pottery, Bhadgaule Topi, wood crafts, etc. Bhaktapur’s rich culture, religious sites, and popular handicrafts have made it a perfect destination to visit while you are in the city. The ancient city of Bhaktapur offers many things to visitors click here to learn more.
Lalitpur
Lalitpur also known as Patan and Manigal is the fourth most populated city in Nepal. The rich cultural heritage, traditional arts and crafts, religious sites, and Newari architecture are the famous attractions of the city. Lalitpur is famous for Patan Durbar Square and is believed that Emperor Ashoka founded the city in 249 BC.
The artistic city offers religious and cultural sites like Patan Dhoka, MahaBoudhha Temple, Kumbheswar Temple, Banglamukhi Temple, Krishna Mandir, Pimbahal, Vishwanath Temple, Taleju Bhawani Temple, and Ratnaar Mahavir. The three courtyards of Durbar Square, Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Keshav Narayan Chowk are worth visiting. The first and oldest zoo of Nepal, The Central Zoo is situated here.
The zoo was established by Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher in 1932. You can visit the National Botanical Garden, Godawari which is only 11 km away from Patan Durbar Square. The garden is famous as a center of plant conservation, education, research, display, and recreation.
It is also a perfect spot for hanging out with your friends and colleagues and planning a dry picnic. We provide a brief tour to Patan if you book a Kathmandu day tour with us.
Pokhara
Pokhara is the tourism capital of Nepal and is best known as the city of lakes. Pokhara is the second most populated city in Nepal and lies 200km away from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The tourist hub of Nepal offers eight lakes including the famous Phewa Lake and Begnas Lake.
The perfect dream destination, Pokhara offers adventures like Bungee jumping, ATV rides, boating in tranquil lakes, biking, sky diving, canyoning, rock climbing, paragliding, hand gliding, zip line, sky cycling restaurants, etc. It is also famous for many caves like Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, Mahendra Cave, Chamere Gufa, Birendra Cave, Kumari Cave etc. These caves hold religious significance and thousands of devotees visit and worship everyyear.
Davis Falls is another popular place that you shouldn't miss visiting when you are in Pokhara. Besides this, Pokhara is a getaway to a wonderful paradise like trekking in the Annapurna region and Mustang region. It provides a mesmerizing view of mountains like Machhapuchhare, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu.
Pokhara offers two 5-star hotels, one 4-star, five 3-star, fifteen 2-star, and many non-star hotels and provides warm hospitality during your stay. We also offer a day tour in Pokhara Valley, and an ultralight flight to Pokhara make sure to contact us for details.
Chitwan
Chitwan is the second-largest district of Nepal and covers an area of 2,238.39 square km. It lies in the inner Terai valley between the Mahabharat and the Siwalik ranges. It is notable for religious sites like Valmiki Ashram, Shivaghat, Devghat, Bikram-Baba Temple, and Krishna Mandir Temple.
The most important tourist destination in Chitwan is Chitwan National Park. Chitwan National Park is a wonderful place for wildlife encounters and is a habitat of one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur (buffalo), deer, Indian Bison, freshwater dolphins (gangetic), crocodiles, more than 500 species of birds, etc. The popular place to visit in Chitwan is Jalbire Waterfall, the Elephant Breeding Center, Elephant rides, canoeing, boating in the Narayani River, CG Shashwatdham, Devghat Dham, Jungle Safari, Bikram Baba Hindu temple, Bishajari Tal, Tikauli Jungle, and many more.
Similarly, Beeshazari Lake is also a must-visit place near Chitwan National Park. Boat riding in the Narayani River is very famous and you can also taste the street foods at the bank of the river. Our tours like the Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, and Pokhara Tour and the 7-night 8-day Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara Tour provide you a chance to explore the city.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal. Gautam Buddha founded Buddhism in the 6th Century BC in Nepal. The sal tree located in the sacred garden in front of Mayadevi Temple is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.
The pond infront of the temple is called holy Pushkarani Pond, where Queen Mayadevi used to bathe before giving birth to lord Buddha. Many visitors from all around the world step on this sacred land to pay homage to the birth of Buddha and it attracts scholars, scientists, and curious visitors. Not only Buddhists but Hindus, and Muslims also follow his teaching of peace and enlightenment.
Due to its pilgrimage history and global recognition, it was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The popular attractions of the holy land are:
- Maya Devi Temple & the Sacred Garden
- The Bodhi Tree & Maya Devi Pond
- Ashoka Pillar/Kapilvastu
- World Peace Pagoda
- Central Canal & Lumbini Monastic Site
- The Eternal Peace Flame of Lumbini
- International Monasteries & Temples
- Lumbini Crane Sanctuary
- RoyalThai Monastery
- MyanmarGolden Monastery
- DaeSungShakya (Korean Temple)
- Mother Temple of the Graduated Path to Enlightenment
- The Thrangu Monaster
Palpa
Palpa is famous for locally handcrafted Dhaka textiles. It is a beautiful historic hill station located in the Lumbini Zone of Nepal. The capital of Palpa, Tansen is known for its traditional, colorful, handwoven Dhaka fabric. The national topi of Nepal, Dhaka Topi is widely manufactured in Tansen.
During the Rana regime, Newar artisans were brought to Palpa for setting a mint and theory brought art and architecture with them. Palpali Dhaka topi, shawls, and thaili are made of Dhaka fabric and are sold throughout Nepal. Besides this, it is famous for the palace-like Ranighat Palace, also known as Rani Mahal.
Rani Mahal also known as the “Taj Mahal of Nepal” was built by Pratap Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana in 1927. The Bhairabsthan temple located in Palpa is one of the largest temples in Asia and the Mahamritunjaya Statue of Lord Shiva is the largest metal statue of Lord Shiva in Asia. Palpa is popular for its fast-flowing rivers like Kali Gandaki River, Tinau Khola, Ridi Khola, Purwa Khola, Jhumsa Khola, Dovan River, Barabisse Khola, Dumre Khola. Other attractions like Satyawati Lake, Pravas Lake, and Sita Kunda are some lakes where you can spend some time with nature.
Illam
Ilam is a district of Koshi Province of Nepal. It covers an area of 1,703 square km and stretches from the Terai belt to the upper hilly belt of the Himalayas. The word Illam is a Limbu word in which “IL” means twisted and “Lam” means road.
Illam is famous for leaf tea, a fine quality tea available around the world. It is also exported to Europe, Australia, and the USA. Locals earn money via commercial agriculture like tea, cardamom, ginger, potato, broom grass, and dairy products like milk (Olan), Cheese, Chhurpi (traditional hard cheese), and sweet lollipops.
The locals are attached to Devi temples and the cornered Mai Pokhari Lake. Every year, locals as well as foreigners visit Mai Pokhari also known as the abode of the goddess. The chiya bagaan of Illam is the most visited place and one can even harvest the tea leaf with locals in the harvesting season.
Similarly, Gajurmukhi attracts manu Hindu pilgrims annually from Nepal and India. Illam is popular for the Mai River where its four tributaries emerge from the core of the district. Sano Pathivara is also located in the Illam district and is very famous for pilgrimages.
The district offers a chance to witness rare birds and animals like red panda, black bear, tahr, and trees such as rhododendron, Chimal, chaap, and sal. Other popular attractions of this beautiful region are Antu Danda, Mai Pokhari, Sandakpur (Sandakphu), Kanyam and Fikkal (Phikkal Bazaar), Pathibhara Devi, Mai Beni, Siddhi Thumka, Choyatar and Hangetham Forests, and Todke Falls (Todke Jharna).
Bardiya
Bardiya district is a part of the Lumbini Province of mid-western Nepal. It covers an area of 2.025 Square km and its headquarters is Gulariya. It is a must-go tourist destination with plenty of activities for solo as well as group travelers.
Bardiya offers serene natural beauty, cultural activities, wildlife exploration, Bardiya National Park, and charming Tharu culture and traditions. Bardiya is an ideal destination to enjoy the lap of nature. The Bardiya National Park is a unique place to witness the royal Bengal tiger.
Similarly, other animals like rhinos, wild elephants, crocodiles, and various deer species are also seen inside the park. The endangered Gangetic dolphin of the Karnali river is a rare chance to witness and only lucky people get a sight of them. Bardiya is also famous for its local Tharu community homestay.
You can experience local village life while learning the culture and traditions of the Tharu tribe. The Tharu community's houses are made of mud, bamboo, and wood, and staying here is a unique experience one can get in their lifetime. “The Machhan Tree House” is also quite popular in the Bardiya community forests. You can spot wild animals walking, flying, and sleeping in their habitat, enjoy the greenery, and spend some self-time.
The Tharu cultural program dance is an integral part of Bardiya where you can join the traditional form of dancing in the evening period. They dance to the rhythmic drum beating with hand movement and show the most attractive Tharu stick dance.
Janakpur
Janakpur also known as the gateway of Mithila is the birthplace of a goddess, Sita(Janaki). It is the capital of Mithila, an ancient Hindu Kingdom, and the center of Maithil culture during the Treta Yug (12,000 years ago). Janakpur is named after King Janak and is popular as the Hindu pilgrimage site.
It is where Lord Ram and Goddess Sita got married which is widely featured in the great Hindu epic, Ramayan. It is a hub of Mithila art and craft. Locals celebrate festivals like Vivah Panchami, Ram Navami, Holi, Vijaya Dashami, Deepawali, and Chhat. The most popular places to visit in Janakpur are:
- Janaki Mandir: Janaki Mandir was built by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwar of Tikamgargh in 1898 AD. The temple is a perfect blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and the dome of the temple is similar to the Rajasthan Palace. Locals believed that the statues of Goddess Sita inside the temple were found in the Sarya River near Ayodhya.
- Dhanush Sagar, Ganga Sagar, and Parshuram Kunda: There are 115 ancient ponds inside the Janakpurdham. Dhanush Sagar, Ganga Sagar, and Parshuram Kunda are the most sacred ponds in Dham. Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar lie near the Ram Mandir where many devotees perform religious attribution in the festival season. Parshuram Kunda lies 4km west of Dhanushadham and is filled with lotus flowers and trees on the southern sides. When Lord Ram broke the sacred bow of Shiva at the time of lifting it, Maharishi Parshuram bathed in this pond to suppress his anger.
- Ram Sita Bibaha Mandir: The temple is situated near Janaki Mandir. The temple is where Lord Ram and Goddess Sita got married. It is built in pagoda style and the temple is filled with statues of Ram’s brothers.
- Ram Mandir: It is the oldest temple in Jankapur. It is in pagoda style and was built by the Gorkhali general Amar Singh Thapa. Ram Mandir is believed to be the abode of the prince of Ayodhya, Ram.
- Jaleshwor: Jaleshwor temple is located on the border of India and is in the southern part of Janakpur. The Shiva lingam is immersed in water and lies 20 feet below the surface of the temple. Hence, named Jaleshwor, Lord of water.
- Dhanusadham: Dhanusadham is a sacred place where there are the remains of the broken bow that Lord Ram broke at the time of Swayambhar. There is a belief that the fossilized form of the sacred bow is still preserved inside Dhanusadham. Thousands of pilgrims pay their visit at the time of Makar Mela which usually falls in the month of Magh (January/February).
