Kathmandu

Boudha Stupa

Boudha Chorten

According to legend, Boudhanath Stupa was built in the 5th century AD by an elderly poultry woman who sought land from the king to construct a shrine to the Buddha. The king agreed, offering her as much land as she could cover with the skin of a water buffalo. Cleverly, she cut the hide into thin strips and laid them end to end, creating a vast circumference. Though the king realized he had been outwitted, he honored his promise, and the stupa was built according to these dimensions. It is believed to enshrine various relics, including those of Kashyapa, a Buddha from a previous aeon. Today, Boudhanath Stupa stands as Nepal’s most revered Buddhist site, drawing pilgrims who circumambulate the structure throughout the day, chanting mantras. It is especially spectacular at night when bathed in the glow of warm floodlights. Visitors should remember to walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction and spin the prayer wheels the same way. Information on Buddhism and the points of etiquette at Buddhist sites: Buddhism

Foreigners pay Rs400, but this can be waived for guests of hotels at the other side of the stupa

City Center Mall

Nepal Life City Centre

also email [email protected] A five-storey shopping mall is centrally Air-conditioned. - International Branded Show Rooms - Electronic, Mobile, Camera. - Readymade section - Wedding Floor (Sarees, Ornaments, Boutique, Beauty corner, Palour), - Food Court (Chinese, Korean, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese dishes), Gaming zone.

Daily 10:00-20:00

Dhansā Degah

धन्सा देग, alternative name: Dhunsar

A 17th-century pagoda-shaped building. Its carved wood windows provide an example of the art of woodworking which has been highly developed in the Kathmandu Valley since antiquity. The upper part was destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1934, and its height was shortened when it was repaired. It was built as a courthouse. A shrine to Nāsa Dya, the god of music, exists on the ground floor.

Freak Street

Historic street where western hippies seeking enlightenment would stay in the 1970s and 80s. Now just a few restaurants and hotels but the iconic Snowman Cafe is tucked away here. Opened in 1965 as a full functioning restaurant, Snowman is now a cafe shop with new Nescafe machine and paper cups, but still run by the same family. Since the family owns the property, this cafe shop survived from the pressure of rent. However, it's mostly a one-man shop, and that man is 50 years old. His father is too old to work and the next generation of the family are studying in Australia and seemingly won't take over. No one knows how long this final bastion of Freak Street will last.

Gakuti

गकुति

This building is a three-sided courtyard. There is a temple dedicated to Mahadev at the centre.

Garden of Dreams

Swapna Bagaicha

Relax in this beautiful and peaceful walled garden close to Thamel and the former Royal Palace. Beautifully renovated in partnership with the Austrian government. It has two pavilions depicting two of the six annual seasons in the Hindu calendar. There is a mini exhibition showing old photos of this garden. There is a restaurant (Kaiser Cafe) in it. You are not allowed to bring own food into the garden and even if you just want to go to Kaiser Cafe you still need to buy the ticket for the garden. Nice toilets.

Daily 09:00-21:00·Rs400 for non-Nepalese, Rs150 for Nepalese

Guhyeshwari Temple

One of the Shakti Peethas of Nepal, considered auspicious to Shakti devotees.

Helena's Rooftop Restaurant

Excellent food, great service, and modest prices. It is claimed to have the tallest rooftop restaurant in Kathmandu, and the views from there of the city, especially at night, are reported to be worth the climb. Serves Western and regional cuisine.

chicken tikka masala costs around Rs350

Ichangu Narayan Temple

The temple contains four representations of the deity Narayan (another name of Vishnu).

Irish Pub Lazimpat

Irish dishes, a great variety of beer (also Guinness) and whisky (international and local), Irish Coffee (also Creamy Irish Coffee) cocktails, mocktails, energy cocktails, summer cocktails, shooters (try "Irish Flag"). During the cold season, you can also find "hot winter drinks". Friday nights live music, dart. Well trained, friendly staff. Run under German management.

Irish Pub Lazimpat

Irish dishes, a great variety of beer (also Guinness) and whisky (international and local), Irish Coffee (also Creamy Irish Coffee) cocktails, mocktails, energy cocktails, summer cocktails, shooters (try "Irish Flag"). During the cold season, you can also find "hot winter drinks". Friday nights live music, dart. Well trained, friendly staff. Run under German management.

Kasthamandap

Nepali: काष्ठमण्डप Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap, Newar: मरु सत्तल Maru Sattal; literally "Wood-Covered Shelter"

A three-storey temple enshrining an image of Gorakhnath. It was built in the 16th century in pagoda style. The name of Kathmandu is a derivative of the word Kasthamandap. It was built under the reign of King Laxmi Narsingha Malla. It was built as a rest house for travelers.

Khawalung Monastery

A beautiful Tibetan monastery near Boudhanath Stupa. It is inaugurated by Trulshik Rinpoche and Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche in October 2005. The monastery has an elementary and a training school. It consists of monks from remote region of Nepal and Tibet. There are many exquisite Tibetan Buddhist wall paintings.

Lakhu Phalechā

लखु फलेचा

A roadside shelter is linked with the founding of Nepal Sambat. This is where the porters from Bhaktapur are said to have rested with their loads of sand. The procession of the goddess Dāgin, which is held during the Yenya festival, starts from this house.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum

Narayanhiti comes from Narayana, a form of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu, and Hiti, meaning "water spout" (Vishnu's temple is located opposite the palace, and the water spout is located east of the main entrance to the precinct). Narayanhiti was a new palace, in front of the old palace built in 1915, and was built in 1970 in the form of a contemporary Pagoda. It was built on the occasion of the marriage of King Birenda Bir Bikram Shah, then heir apparent to the throne. The palace area covers (30 hectares) and is fully secured with gates on all sides. This is the former Royal palace which was turned partly into a museum, and partly into the Foreign Ministry in 2009 after the abolition of the monarchy. Now you can visit the splendid Halls of the main building of the palace. Giant fruit bats hanging from the tall trees and 20 foot-tall bamboo around the otherwise modern (and still well secured) former palace are a sight, especially around sunset when the bats depart en masse.

Foreigners: Rs500

National Museum

Chhauni Museum

This in an historical building. It was constructed in the early 19th century by General Bhimsen Thapa. It is the most important museum in the country, housing an extensive collection of weapons, art and antiquities of historic and cultural importance. The museum was established in 1928 as a collection house of war trophies and weapons, and the initial name of this museum was Chhauni Silkhana, meaning "the stone house of arms and ammunition". Given its focus, the museum contains an extensive quantity of weapons, including locally made firearms used in wars, leather cannons from the 18th–19th century, and medieval and modern works in wood, bronze, stone and paintings.

Closed on Tuesdays

Nepal Art Council Gallery

This gallery contains artwork of both national and international artists and extensive halls regularly used for art exhibitions

New Orleans

A good variety of well-made food, including pasta, Nepali and salads. Pleasant Newari courtyard setting

Rs200-400

Northfield Cafe

Basic pub grub and Nepali attempt at Mexican, often with live traditional music. Popular with English teachers and expats.

Rs100-300

Pashupatinath Temple

This important Hindu temple is dedicated to Shiva in his form as the Lord of the Beasts. While only Hindus are allowed to enter the inner sanctum, the surrounding temple grounds are open to all visitors. The area features not only historic architecture and rich religious iconography, but also sadhus (holy men), a market for spiritual items, and a revered sacred cave. One of the most fascinating parts of the complex is the cremation ghats along the banks of the Bagmati River. These are best experienced in the early morning or evening, with striking light and moving devotional ceremonies beginning around 7 PM. Buddhist visitors should not miss the nearby caves — just beyond the high-caste cremation area— where the great teacher Tilopa instructed Naropa, who later attained enlightenment there.

People's Plaza

Electronic Accessories (one shop), Gents Ladies and kids (two shop), Gents Wear (six shops), Ladies Wear (nine shops), Shoe's shop (seven units), Food Court

On Working Days: 10AM - 5PM, On Holidays: 10AM - 10PM

Roadhouse Cafe

Excellent wood fired pizza. Pleasant decor with good coffee & hot chocolate & more cappuccinos. Draught Everest beer, when available. A relaxing, upscale place for when you need to escape from Kathmandu for an evening. Free Wi-Fi.

Beer: Rs400; Pizza: Rs500-600.

Rum Doodle

Excellent food at modest prices, including live music on most nights. Carry on straight past Helena's, around the "chicane", where the road bends then straightens out again, and turn the next right. It is signposted but the sign's fairly small. Everest summiteers can eat here for free. Extraphone=+977-1-4248692

Sun-Thu 10:00-22:00, Fri Sat 10:00-00:00

Swayambhunath

स्वय म्भू AKA the Monkey Temple

Perched on a hill overlooking Kathmandu, Swayambhu is a revered site featuring a grand stupa surrounded by Buddhist and Hindu iconography. According to legend, a former Buddha visited the valley, which was then a vast lake. The Buddha planted a lotus seed in the clear waters that bloomed after 84,000 years, crowned with an eternal flame. Drawn by the flame from Mount Wutai in China, the bodhisattva Manjushri drained the lake by cutting through the valley wall, making the site accessible for pilgrims. The stupa now stands where the lotus once blossomed, making Swayambhu one of Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist sites. The hilltop can be reached by climbing 350 steps, with a gentler but less scenic back route also available. A 30-minute walk from Thamel leads to the base, though a map is helpful due to several confusing intersections; taxis and bikes are also options. The site teems with monkeys—keep food hidden—and hosts ancient temples, souvenir stalls, cafes, and restaurants offering Nepali and Tibetan cuisine. For those with limited mobility, parking at the rear entrance minimizes the climb. Swayambhu is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley and includes the Swayambhu Buddhist Museum.

Foreigners: Rs200 for single entry; Rs750 for a multiple entry pass

Taragaon Museum

turn it into a do umentation centre documenting what artists, photographers, architects, anthropologists and Samskritists from abroad had contributed in the second half of the 20th century to identify, highlight and preserve the cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley.

Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-17:00

Thamel House Restaurant

Nepali and Newari cuisine. There is a cultural show every evening from 19:00.

Daily 11:00-21:30

The Natural History Museum

Natural Science Museum of Tribhuvan University

This museum has a sizeable collection of different species of animals, butterflies, and plants. The museum is noted for its display of species, from prehistoric shells to stuffed animals.

Mon-Fri

The Temple of Maru Ganedya

मरु गनेद्य

It is one of the more important Ganesh shrines in Kathmandu. A notable feature of this temple is the absence of the usual pinnacle.

Tribhuvan Museum

contains artifacts related to the King Tribhuvan (1906–1955). It has a variety of pieces including his personal belongings, letters and papers, memorabilia related to events he was involved in and a rare collection of photos and paintings of the Royal family.

Vajra Books

Has huge selection of books on Buddhism, Nepal and Tibet studies.