Nepal is situated between India and China on the World map. UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO is an Organisation that selects the World Heritage Sites which has cultural and natural importance. It includes cultural heritage like Architectural monuments, monumental sculptures, inscriptions, groups of buildings, and archaeological sites while natural sites with scientific, conservation, or natural importance. In Nepal, there are 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 8 of them are of cultural importance and 2 are of natural importance. Bagmati Province has 7 World Heritage sites out of 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Nepal.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is known as Hanuman Dhoka or Basantapur Durbar Square. Lord Hanuman was the protector of the entire Palace, so it is named Hanuman Dhoka. It is one of the three Durbar Square of Kathmandu, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites which has historic and cultural significance. It was one of the famous trading hubs between Tibet and India where as of now it is used for preservation of traditional architecture of Newari artists and former rulers of the Royal Palace. The construction of Kathmandu Durbar Square began in the 3rd Century and overall construction concluded in later periods. Nautalle Durbar also known as a nine-story palace was built to memorialise the Nepal Unification by Prithvi Narayan Shah. Kumari Ghar is one of the major attractions built in the Malla era where a young girl is worshipped as a living form of the Hindu Goddess Durga. Some of the major attractions of Durbar Square are Hanuman Dhoka, Degutale Temple, Taleju Temple, Nasal Chowk, Nine Storey Basantapur Tower, Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple, Mul Chowk, Mohan Chowk, Sundari Chowk, Tribhuvan Museum, King Mahendra Memorial Museum, and Kal Bhairav Temple, Kumari Ghar, etc.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is surrounded by stunning Newari Architecture, wood carving, silver carving, and metal carving which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. There is a famous myth behind the Hanuman Dhoka that is “ if any person interprets inscription written in 15 different languages on the wall of the 17th century stone, then there would be instant flooding of milk from the wall. It is one of the popular places to visit in the Kathmandu Day Tour. The entrance fee for foreigners is NPR 1,000 and for SAARC National is NPR 150.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square lies in Lalitpur district in Nepal. Patan district is known as Lalitpur nowadays. The medieval royal palace where Malla Kings used to rule the valley by residing there is one of the most famous attractions. It consists of 130 Bahals and 55 major temples and is one of the oldest palaces of Patan. It was established in the 3rd Century. The name Lalitpur came from a myth when three farmers couldn't continue farming due to droughts. They worshipped the God Red Machhendranath from Kamaru Kamachhya (a place situated in Assam, India) for rainfall. Lalit was the one who dedicated himself fully to God without caring about hunger and scorching sunlight, then the sky finally poured into the valley. Then, locals praised him for his dedication and named the valley after his name “Lalit” and “Pur” which means the township conjoining the valley was named “Lalitpur”.
Some of the popular attraction of the Patan Durbar Square are Museum, Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwar Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple/ Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Mulchowk, Jagat Narayan Temple, Big Bell, Pillar of Yoga Narendra Malla, Hari Shanker Temple, Bhimsen Temple, Marga Hiti, Mani Mandap, Cafe Pagoda, Rato Machhendranath Temple, Minnath Rudra Varna Mahavihar, etc. Kathmandu Day tour includes Patan Durbar Square as one of the major destinations. It is a center of both Hinduism and Buddhism and it is a marvel of Newari Architecture.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 1,000
- SAARC National entrance fee: NPR 250
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another stunning landmark located 13km east of Kathmandu. It was previously known as Bhadgaon or Khwopa. Bhaktapur Durbar Square was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. It is the oldest and largest Durbar Square among others. It is famous due to the 55-window palace built under the rule of King Jitamitra Malla. Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square make a whole Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Some of the main attractions of the Palace are the Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, Statue of King Bhupatindra, Nyatapola Temple, and its 55 Windowed Malla Palace.
From the 14th to the 15th Century, it housed the Malla king and the Kings of the kingdom of Bhaktapur conquered this land until 1769. The Archeological Department of Nepal and Bhaktapur Municipality jointly preserve these sites. Untouched by Western culture, this city has preserved and followed the culture and tradition for many years.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 1,500
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 500
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in Nepal. It is located beside the sacred Bagmati River and is popular as a temple of Lord Shiva. Pashupati means animals and Nath means the lord of lord. It was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The Pashupatinath temple was built in pagoda-style architecture and attracts visitors from all around the World. Pashupatinath is a sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images, and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river. It includes 518 mini-temples and a two-story Pagoda-style building consisting of four silver doors around it. You can see the cremation of dead bodies on the shore of the Bagmati River.
The temple also features other popular temples like the Vaishnava temple complex, Rama Temple, and the Guhyeshwari Temple. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was built. However, according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati. Pashupatinath Temple's existence is recorded as early as 400 CE. Thousands of visitors from all around the world come to celebrate the Maha Shivaratri in the Pashupatinath. The temple is popular for celebrating the Teej festival of Nepal.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 1,000
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 1,000 (free for Indian citizens)
Changu Narayan Temple
Changu Narayan Temple is an ancient Hindu Temple located on the high hill known as Changu or Dolagiri in the ChanguNarayan municipality of Bhaktapur district. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples dedicated to the Lord Bishnu. The temple is surrounded by Champak tree and the Manohara River falls beside the hill. The temple is named after the daughter of a Kashmiri King who married the prince of Bhaktapur. Changunarayan temple is one of the most popular Naryana temples of the Kathmandu Valley. There are temples of Lord Shiva, Ashta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor, and Krishna besides the main temple.
You can see the sculpture of life-size pairs of animals like lions, Sarabhai, griffins, and elephants guarding the four entrances of the temple. This temple is also known as the masterpiece of Nepali architecture with unique sculptures and structures which were rebuilt due to a huge fire in 1702. The temple has sculptures of 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Vishwaroop, Vishnu Vikrant, Chanda Narayan, Sridhar Vishnu, Vaikuntha Vishnu, Vishnu riding Garuda, and Nar-Singha Vishnu along with the presence of Kileshwar Shiva temple and Chinnamasta Devi temple. The main image is allowed to be seen only by priests where Hindus worship it as a Garuda Narayan and Buddhists worship it as a Hariharihari Vahan Lokeshwara.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 300
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 100
Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath is a Buddhist religious complex on the hilltop of the Kathmandu Valley that is popular as Monkey Temple. The word Swayambhu is a Hindu name that means self-sprung. It is believed that Swayambhu emerged from a lotus that bloomed in the middle of the lake before Manjushree drained the water from Kathmandu Valley. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites and its iconic dome and Buddha’s “ All-Seeing Eyes” on the top dominate the city while offering the best panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley. The prayer flags and whirling prayer wheel offer a sense of spirituality and peace. It is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley.
On a clear day, you can see the panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley. The stupa is composed of a dome at the base, a cube structure painted in white color above, and then the eyes of Buddha looking in all four directions. The pentagonal Toranas has Buddha relief on it which is present on the four sides of the cube. It has 13 tiers and on top of it, Gajur is present. The shops and restaurants near the Swayambhunath offer you delicacies with a Tibetan touch. Some of the popular delicacies you can try while doing a tour in Swayambhunath are white and yellow Laphing, Dabao, Keema noodles, Khapse, Syabhale, and many more.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 200
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 50
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath is also known as Bouddha, Khasti Chaitya, and Khāsa Chaitya. Bouddhanath is a sacred religious Stupa and it is one of the largest Spherical Stupa in Nepal as well as of the World. It is located 11 km from the center of Kathmandu Valley. There is a belief that Boudhhanath is an entomb of the remains of Kassapa Buddha. In the 15th century, Licchavi King Manadeva built this stupa which represents Buddha's learning and teachings. It was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Bouddhanath is inhabited by Tibetan refugees while visiting you can taste the culture and customs of Tibet. The dome topped by a square tower offers the watchful eyes of Lord Buddha. Due to its cultural treasure and tranquil ambiance, it attracts tourists as well as many local people.
The monasteries, Souvenir shops, Boudhha garden, and Tibetan artifacts shops surround the Bouddhanath Stupa. You can see more than 50 gompas around the Bouddha. The 2015 earthquake in Nepal destroyed the overall structure above the dome and after reconstruction, it was again reopened in November 2016. When you visit the Bouddhanath stupa, the sounds of prayers and echoes of chants make you feel spiritually awakened.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 400
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 100
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Budhha. It is a Buddhist pilgrimage site that lies in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini province in Nepal. Lumbini is famous worldwide because Gautama Budhha achieved enlightenment in 528 BCE. Gautam Buddha founded Buddhism after being Shakyamuni Buddha. Lumbini is also famous for the Mayadevi Temple, the Pillar of Ashoka, the Pushkarini sacred pond, the sacred Bodhi tree, the World Peace Stupa, the World Peace Flame, the Marker Stone, the Nativity Sculpture, and other structural ruins of Buddhist stupas and viharas.
In 1997, Lumbini was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors from all around the world visit Lumbini for exploration, yoga, meditation, trekking, and learn about Buddhism. There are a variety of monasteries made by other countries like China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Germany, and many more. Lumbini Crane Sanctuary and World Peace Pagoda are other famous places to visit in Lumbini. It Takes 10 hours via bus to reach Lumbini from Kathmandu and only a 30-minute drive from Pokhara.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 300
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 100
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the first National Park in Nepal which was established in 1973. In 1984, Royal Chitwan National Park was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It expands to an area of 952.63 square km in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands in Nawalpur, Chitwan, Makwanpur, and Parsa Districts. Chitwan National Park is a habitat of endangered animals, One-horned Rhinos, and the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is home to 700+ species of wildlife including 50+ species of mammals, 525 species of birds, 55 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 113 species of fishes.
The Chitwan National Park offers activities like Wildlife Safari, wildlife photography, elephant baths, elephant back safari, elephant breeding center, and so on. Chitwan is the only place in Nepal where you can see one-horned rhino walking in the streets. The park protects vegetation like Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests with predominantly sal trees, Chir pine, 50 different types of grasses, and many more.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 1500 per person +13% VAT
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 750 per person +13% VAT
Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National Park is a national park that lies in the Himalayas of Eastern Nepal. It was established in 1976 and expanded to an area of 1,149 square km in the Solukhumbu District. The name Sagarmatha comes from the word Sagar which means “sky” and matha which means “head”. It is a part of Sacred Himalaya, Mount Everest. It was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. The park protects the forest of a subalpine belt like fir, Himalayan birch, Rhododendron, Juniper, Mosses, lichens, and more than 1,000 floral species.
It is home to 208 species of birds including the Impeyan pheasant, bearded vulture, snowcock, and alpine chough which makes it also designated as an Important Bird Area. Himalayan tahr, Himalayan serow, musk deer, snow leopard, and Indian leopards are protected by this park. Sagarmatha National Park is included in beautiful trekking routes like Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Three High Passes Trek, and Everest Base Camp with the Gokyo Valley Trek. It contains the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi and Bhotekoshi rivers and the Gokyo Lakes. Sagarmatha National Park ranges from an altitude of 2,845 m (9,334 ft) at Monjo to the top of Mount Everest at 8,848 m (29,029 ft). The park contains 69 % of barren land, 28 % grazing land, and remaining 3% covered with forests.
- Regular entrance fee: NPR 3000
- SAARC national entrance fee: NPR 1500
