Buzz
The Majestic Nepal
The country of Nepal lies in South Asia, with a population of around 30 million people and is the 93rd largest territory in the world. Nepal shares borders with China to the North and India to the East. It's a geographically diverse country, with vast plains, high hills, and 8 out of the world's 10 highest mountains, including Mount Everest. Kathmandu - the largest city in Nepal and the capital of a multi-ethnic nation, where Nepali is the official language.
Insights into Kathmandu, the Capital City
Kathmandu, the capital situated in the central region of Nepal. This city lies in a lowland area of the Nepalese valley, located to the south of the Himalayas range, at an altitude of about 1220m, near the confluence of the Vishnumati and Bagmati rivers. Kathmandu was ruled by the Newar people for centuries and was founded in 1723. The Shah dynasty seized Kathmandu in 1768, making it their capital. Subsequently, the Rana lineage ruled Nepal from Kathmandu from 1846 to 1951. The city of Kathmandu is a hub of culture, politics, and economy, and it's the largest city in this Buddhist nation.
Aerial View of Kathmandu Capital
Kathmandu is referred to as the triplet city because besides Kathmandu, there are two other cities, Patan and Bhaktapur, abbreviated as KTM. The capital is surrounded by four major mountains: Chandragiri, Shivapuri, Phluchowki, Nagarjun. The scenery here is incredibly majestic, magnificent with a balanced ecosystem and a cool climate due to the presence of eight rivers flowing through. The temperature in Kathmandu is quite stable, ranging from 28 to 30 degrees Celsius in summer and an average of 10 degrees Celsius in winter.
A Street Corner in Kathmandu, the Capital
Tips for Obtaining a Tourist Visa for Nepal
Traveling to Nepal requires a visa for citizens of Vietnam. However, Nepal offers visa on arrival (meaning you can obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival).
Note: When applying for a visa, your passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining.
Travel Experience in Kathmandu – Which Season is Most Appealing?
Due to the diverse terrain, Nepal's weather can vary between districts and cities. As you ascend, temperatures decrease and rainfall diminishes. In the Tibetan Plateau region, temperatures remain consistent year-round, with minimal rainfall.
The dry season typically runs from February to April, making it the best time to visit Kathmandu when foliage is lush and flowers are in full bloom.
For snow sports enthusiasts, the best time to visit is in December and January when the skies are clear and the weather is dry. Remember to bring warm sleeping bags and prepare everything carefully.
The remaining time of the year can be inconvenient for travelers. In May and early June, temperatures are often too hot and dusty, while from June to September, the monsoon winds shroud the mountains in clouds and turn the roads into mud. Opting for air travel is the simplest way to access these areas during certain times of the year.
Traveling to Kathmandu
Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Nepal, so the most common option is to transit at Changi Airport in Singapore, Bangkok in Thailand, or Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Below are some flight routes you can consider.
+ From Bangkok (Thailand): Nepal Airlines, Thai Airways...
+ From Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia X, Malindo Air, Nepal Airlines.
+ From Singapore: Singapore Airlines.
International Airports in Nepal
What to do in Kathmandu?
Thamel
Thamel district is the heart and soul of Kathmandu, serving as a tourist hub. This area is a symbol of Nepal's ancient charm nestled within the modern capital. It still retains the atmosphere of an ancient world with prayer flag-lined streets and rickshaws along the roadsides.
The long stretch of small streets is packed with various services.
Various travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and souvenir shops are clustered along this narrow street. The shops are filled with jewelry, clothing, carvings, bronze statues... Note that bargaining is common when shopping here.
Souvenir shops in Thamel
Rickshaws along the streets
Thamel serves as both a gateway and a must-visit destination in Kathmandu. From here, you can easily walk to many of the city's main attractions.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Located just a short walk from the famous Thamel tourist center in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as 'Basantapur Durbar Square' or 'Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square,' is one of the most visited attractions in the capital city. This square has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1979. Its historical significance, beautiful Newari architecture, and vibrant market areas make it a captivating destination for sightseeing.
This square has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
Along with Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar Squares ('Durbar' meaning palace in Nepali) within the Kathmandu Valley.
Most of Nepal's cultural centers are concentrated around the Kathmandu Valley. The name Hanuman-dhoka Durbar comes from the Hanuman statue erected by King Pratap Malla at the entrance to the royal palace in 1672 AD, the palace built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1770, known as Basantapur Durbar. The entire complex is also called Kathmandu Durbar Square. Located in the heart of the ancient city, it is surrounded by both Hindu and Buddhist temples. They are built in a pagoda style with intricately carved exteriors, and the buildings here date back to the 15th to 18th centuries. Durbar Square is famous for its ancient temples, palaces, and is a miniature representation of the religious and cultural life of the people here.
Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square
Some interesting spots to see here include 'Kumari (Living Goddess) Gar,' 'Kastha Mandap,' Maru Ganesh, Bhagwati Temple, Old Palace, Saraswoti Temple, Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Krishna Triangular Shrine, Big Drum, and more.
The people at Durbar Square
Durbar Square is formed from two main areas. The outer complex is famous for its numerous temples like Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap, Shiv-Parbati Temple, Jagannath Temple, Big Bell... while the inner complex includes the old palace area, Hanuman-dhoka, and Nasal Choke, Mul Choke, Sundari Choke, Basantapur Durbar.
Distinctive Marks at Durbar
In addition to magnificent temples and shrines, this square also hosts various other interesting activities such as festivals, cultural, and traditional events. Major festivals include Indrajatra, Dashain, Gaaijatra, Machchhindra-nath jatra. These are occasions where people from all over the city gather to mark their centuries-old traditions.
Boudhanath Stupa
When visiting Kathmandu, there's a must-see spot you shouldn't miss, and that's Boudhanath temple. It's the largest stupa in the eastern part of the city, boasting a magnificent appearance and serving as a sacred center of Buddhism.
Panorama of Boudhanath
Boudhanath is a sacred Buddhist center
Boudhanath is also a UNESCO-recognized site and the largest surviving spherical stupa in Nepal. A major earthquake in 2015 caused significant damage to Boudhanath, but with concerted efforts from the government, it was quickly restored to its grandeur.
Iconic Eyes of Buddhism
The stupa is one of the ancient trade routes extremely important between India and Tibet. In the 1950s, many Tibetans fled their country, and many chose to follow that route and found a home near this sacred site. Boudhanath holds great significance as it is believed to be the burial place of Buddha Kassapa, the 27th Buddha among the 29 Buddhas.
Golden Stupa of Swayambhunath – Monkey temple
Perched atop a conical, ancient hill, the Golden Stupa of Swayambhunath is the most mystical among the temples in Kathmandu. From miles away or from the adjacent valley, one can also see the gleaming golden stupa with its white dome.
Sparkling Golden Stupa
There is historical evidence carved in stone inscriptions indicating that this stupa has been a significant pilgrimage site since the 5th century BCE for Buddhist devotees. Swayambhunath has ancient origins. The Swayambhu Purana recounts that in ancient times, a type of lotus was planted by a Buddha in the 15th century, and later this lotus flourished, covering the entire Kathmandu Valley. Hence, the people named the pond Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-existent,' as the lotus emitted a very mystical light. Many monks and philosophers of Buddhism came here seeking enlightenment in the light of the lotus on their spiritual path.
Eyes on Every Corner of the Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa has various areas of worship for different religions such as Hinduism, Newari Buddhism of Central and Southern Nepal, and Vajrayana Buddhism of Tibet and Northern Nepal. Hundreds of tourists come for pilgrimage every morning before dawn and ascend the 365 steps. They pass through the lion gate, the Vajra deity, and then walk clockwise around the stupa.
Panoramic View of the Stupa
There are large eyes on each of the four sides of the main stupa, symbolizing Buddhism. Each pair of eyes is the third eye, a symbol of the wisdom of the Buddha. The stupa lacks a nose and ears, indicating that there is only one path to enlightenment, that of meditation.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Surrounding the stupa are numerous depictions of gods and revered figures. The presence of these shrines symbolizes the harmony between the gods of Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal's evolving religious landscape.
Exploring Asan Market
The Asan Market area is one of the oldest districts in Kathmandu. Situated at the intersection of key trade routes across the Himalayas for centuries, it remains a vibrant, prosperous area rich in the city's culture. When visiting, I love to explore the local markets. Asan is one of the most famous markets in Kathmandu, offering everything you could need. My favorite shops are the spice stalls, as I enjoy cooking, and they also make perfect souvenirs to bring back home.
A Corner of Asan Market Street
Kathmandu is truly an unmissable destination for travel enthusiasts, especially for those who love Buddhism. Let's explore this beautiful capital city and experience the wonderful things waiting for you ahead!
Author: Trần Thị Như Quỳnh
* This article participates in the Mytour Goglobal program
Mytour Goglobal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations around the world, part of the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote new and exciting travel destinations worldwide to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 1,200,000 VND and a chance to become a Contributor with Mytour. For more details about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/goglobal
