“And the elephants will go to the plane, and Tibet will wave their fans…”. You've probably heard the song "Queen of Nepal". It very faithfully conveys the mood that grips the traveler who first stepped off the plane in Kathmandu. Landing in a small country, half of which is located at an altitude of more than 3000 meters, first of all you will definitely see the mountains. Mountains are everywhere here, with some of the peaks soaring into the blue Nepalese sky for 8000 meters or more. The pages of tourist guidebooks answer the question of what to see in Nepal rather monotonously. The list of the main points of attraction for tourists - mountains, mountains, mountains … And also - Buddhist monasteries, national parks with magnificent views and old palaces in Kathmandu, built, it seems, by the spirits of the same mountains …
TOP 15 attractions of Nepal
Annapurna
Three majestic peaks at once occupy the attention of a person who finds himself in the Annapurna National Park. Three sisters - Main, Middle and Eastern Annapurna form one of the fourteen Nepalese peaks, whose height reaches 8 km. Between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Peak lies the deepest valley on the planet.
It was Annapurna who became the first "eight-thousander" to submit to man. Fearless Frenchmen rose here in the middle of the last century.
If you prefer to look at the mountains from the bottom up, take one of the hiking trails in the park. On the way, you will meet villages where locals will acquaint guests with the peculiarities of their life and culture.
Sagarmatha
The name of this national park "The Forehead of Heaven" clearly hints that there is simply nowhere to go higher. It is on the territory of Sagarmatha that Chomolungma is located - the highest mountain on the planet.
Climbing any of the peaks in Sagarmatha Park is possible only for professionals. The rest can get acquainted with the life of the local population and observe, if they are lucky, the little panda that lives in the local forests.
The park is located northeast of Kathmandu.
Durbar Square
The palace square of the capital of Nepal has something to see for fans of ancient Hindu and Buddhist architecture. There is a complex of palace buildings where Nepalese monarchs were crowned.
Noteworthy in Dubar Square:
- Hanuman-Dhoka Palace, the construction of which lasted from the 15th to the 18th century. One of the towers of the palace offers a beautiful view of the capital of Nepal.
- The golden gate at the entrance to the palace complex is guarded by a statue of Hanuman.
- The octagonal Krishna Balaram pagoda dates back to the 17th century.
- In the courtyard of Mul Chowk, sacrifices began several centuries ago. This tradition continues to this day during the Daisan holiday.
Ticket price: 8, 5 euros.
Bodnacht
In the northeast of the Nepalese capital is the famous Buddhist temple complex, which is considered the main center of the Tibetan branch of Buddhism in the country. The Bodnakhta stupa was built in the 6th century, as evidenced by numerous references in historical documents.
The stupa descends from above by terraces, on each of which dozens of small stupas are installed, and the number of steps on the spire symbolizes thirteen steps to Nirvana.
Copan monastery
North of Bodnakht, on a picturesque peak, you will find a Buddhist monastery with panoramic views of Kathmandu. In the Kopan monastery you can indulge in self-improvement and meditation, and professional monks will help you to do this. The course lasts from a week to two, and in the process of learning a person comprehends the basics of Buddhist philosophy.
Specialists in curative fasting help those who wish to cleanse the body.
To get there: by taxi from the center of Kathmandu for 8-10 euros.
The cost of a 7-day meditation course: from 500 euros with accommodation in a monastery.
Kumari Ghar
The cult of the goddess Kumari in Nepal is very strong. Kumari is considered the most influential deity, and her own temple was erected for her in Kathmandu. It was built in the middle of the 18th century and is located today in Durbar Square. The building is decorated with intricate stone carvings.
But the main value of the temple is inside. The priests choose a girl from 3 to 5 years old who meets special requirements. She becomes a living embodiment of the goddess on earth and remains so until she loses at least a drop of blood. Then the selection procedure is repeated.
You can see the girl-deity only by chance - in the window of the palace, or by becoming a pilgrim. But everyone in the capital can see the temple of the goddess Kumari in Nepal.
Danshinkali temple
Dedicated to the goddess of death and destruction, Danshinkali Temple is a place where Nepalese sacrifice animals. The ceremony takes place twice a week to appease Kali and not give her a reason to harm people.
The peak of sacrificial rituals occurs in October. At this time, the Danshinkali temple becomes the center of the Dasain holiday.
To get there: better by taxi.
Pashupatinath
The oldest Hindu temple complex on the banks of the river on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu was founded in the 5th century. Among his own kind in the country, he is the most famous. During the times of the Mughal Empire, the shrine was heavily inherited from the conquerors, and in the 19th century it had to be restored.
The temple dedicated to Shiva is made in the form of a two-level pagoda, the roofs of which are covered with sheets of gold and copper. There are pedestals for funeral pyres along the river: old people come to Pashupatinath awaiting death.
The main festival of the temple is the Hindu Maha-Shivaratri festival in early spring.
Shivapuri Nagarjun
The National Park in the northern part of the Kathmandu Valley was created to protect 2,000 plant species, many of which grow only in Nepal. The main ecological regions of the park are the East Himalayan deciduous and subtropical deciduous forests.
Those who are not too interested in botany will not be bored in the park either: dozens of trekking trails for tourists have been laid on the territory of Shivapuri-Nagarjun. Lovers of Buddhist architecture will love several ancient pagodas along the route.
Langtang
The mountainous region of Nepal, where you can see the red panda and old Buddhist temples and enjoy the magnificent scenery, is located north of the capital on the border with Tibet. It is called Langtang and in 1976 its territory was declared a national park. In Latanga there is a sacred lake for practicing Hinduism Gosaykunda.
How to get there: by bus or car from Kathmandu through the village of Dhunche to the village of Syabru Besi. Further - with guides.
Entrance ticket price: 25 euros.
Mountain museum
In 2004, the Mountaineering Museum was opened in the city of Pokhara with funds from the government of the country and donations from foreign sponsors. Its visitors can get acquainted with the history of sports of the brave, the traditions and culture of mountain peoples, the peculiarities of life in the highlands.
The Hall of History of Mountain Conquest presents many photographs of the very first ascents and pioneers. The collection contains photographs dated 1921.
For lovers of souvenirs, the museum has a shop selling interesting books about the Himalayas and Tibet.
Ticket price: 2, 5 euros.
Narayanhiti Museum
In 2008, the monarchy was abolished in Nepal. The last king, Gyanendra, was forced to leave the palace and a museum was opened in Narayanhiti. Prior to this, the magnificent neoclassical mansion served as the main residence of the royal family for almost 40 years.
The park area around the residence is also worthy of special attention. The palace is surrounded by a high wall, and the gate at the entrance is made in the form of a pagoda.
Manakamana
An ancient Hindu sanctuary in honor of a terrible deity who requires sacrifices, appeared on a high mountain 12 km south of the city of Gorkha in the 17th century. Legends tell that the site for the sanctuary was discovered by a peasant tilling the land. Now his ancestor is the abbot of the sacred temple.
Pilgrims come to Manakamana to appease the deity, and tourists - to fulfill their cherished desire. It is believed that a visit to the sanctuary helps dreams come true.
To get there: by funicular from the station. Through 5 km from Mugling.
Lake Rara
The largest lake in Nepal is located in the northwest of the country on the territory of the national park of the same name. The height of the reservoir above sea level is almost 3 km, and the length of the lake is 5 km.
On the shores of Lake Rara you will find a complete list of classic Himalayan plants: rhododendron and Himalayan pine, cypress and Indian juniper. The inhabitants of the animal kingdom amaze with exotic diversity no less. On the hiking trails on the shores of Lake Rara, you can find small pandas, snow leopards, red wolves, leopards and the famous Himalayan bears.
Thamel
In the capital of any country there is a special area, where there are many not only tourists, but also inexpensive hotels, souvenir shops, markets and authentic restaurants with national dishes on the menu. Kathmandu is no exception, and its tourist center is called Thamel.
In the narrow streets of Thamel, you will find everything you need to immerse yourself in the real Nepal. Here you can see the everyday life of the Nepalese, taste their food, listen to local music and buy souvenirs of the trip. Tamel has dozens of shops with climbing equipment, hundreds of semi-legal massage parlors, strip bars and bookstores, antique and jewelry stores and pawnshops.
Thamel is also the most criminal district of the capital of Nepal. Pay special attention to personal safety, watch your belongings and pockets, and choose taxis with only identification marks.
