Nepal is home to the treasure of natural and cultural heritage, where Kathmandu is also a host valley to have 7 world heritage sites in Kathmandu. Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, has a wide selection of monuments and buildings that showcase its rich historic and artistic heritage.
The world has 897 cultural heritage sites, and eight of the sites are located in Nepal. Among them, seven of the cultural sites are located in the valley around Kathmandu. Each of the locations exemplifies the diversity of Nepali arts, culture, tradition, and religion.
Seven monuments of this valley are the Hindu temples of Pashupati Nath and Changu Narayan, the Buddhist stupas Swoyambhu Nath and Bouddha Nath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, and Patan Durbar Squares.
In this manner, travelers don’t always need to proceed to a far-off and secluded location to experience the history and cultural diversity of Nepal. The Kathmandu Valley tour is enough to get an introduction to local culture and explore the ancient heritage sites.
Although Nepal is widely known as the Himalayan country, a handful of travelers just visit this wonderland to explore the ancient and religious sites of Nepal. As this blog is concentrated on the world heritage sites in Kathmandu, Nepal, every folk will get to know how many world heritage sites are in Kathmandu. Explore further to learn about the plethora of things to do in Nepal rather than just going the Himalayan trekking.
Top 7 Cultural Heritage of Nepal
1. Pashupatinath Temple
- Pashupatinath Shiva Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This pagoda-styled ancient temple is located along the shore of the sacred river, Bagmati. Designed as a world heritage site of Nepal, only the priest is authorized to enter inside and touch the sacred statue of the Shiva linga.
One thousand Shiva lingams are located outward of the temple. Devotees are allowed to touch and worship them. However, only people who practice Hinduism are allowed to enter the grounds of the Pashupatinath temple. The non-Hindu can witness from the other side i.e. from the side of the Bagmati River.
Hindu devotees consider Pashupatinath the most important temple in the world. Hindus from different nations visit Nepal for this beautiful temple and dive into the Bagmati River. The reason is that devotees believe that once they visit this temple and take a dive into the river their sins will be forgiven by the lord.
Every visitor to the Pashupatinath temple can enjoy the lovely evening Aarti held on the side of the sacred temple Bagmati. Those who listen to Lord Shiva’s mantra and Aarti, which stirs the soul, feel calm, relaxed, and peaceful. In addition, you can get a view of the burning bodies of dead people.
This temple remains crowded throughout the year but is especially crowded on Teej and Shivaratri. As this Pashupatinath temple is on the list of world heritage sites in Kathmandu, it is worth visiting and gives a lifetime memory.
2. Changu Narayan Temple
Changu Narayan Temple, Nepal’s oldest pagoda-style temple, is located on the hilltop in the lovely hamlet of Changu. The Hindu temple Changu is dedicated to the temple of Lord Vishnu also called Narayan.
The ancient temple of Lord Vishnu is surrounded by a champak forest. The two-storied temple of Changunarayan was built in the 3rd century and has been able to get a rank among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley. The date is confirmed by the inscriptions on stones and scriptures.
The Temple of Changu Narayan is also made of wood, stone, and metal. Explorers can easily see the craftsmanship in the temple. Mainly, stone and wood sculptures of Changu, i.e., Vishnu’s incarnations, can be seen in the temple.
Few travelers choose a full-day Bhaktapur tour with Changunarayan Temple and also Changunarayan Nagarkot Day Hiking.
3. Swoyambhunath Stupa
- Swoyambhunath Stupa Kathmandu
A 2500-year-old dome and the statues of Swoyambhunath are the oldest heritage sites in Kathmandu to be listed on the UNESCO ranking. Swoyambhunath is an ancient dome on the Kathmandu Valley’s highest point. In addition, the main statue has two eyes symbolizing wisdom and compassion, and the 13 rings display Nirvana’s 13 steps.
This temple is widely known as the Monkey Temple. Because visitors will see the monkeys roaming, posing, and fighting throughout the walk. Also, it has been a tourist attraction.
This site is honored by both Hindu and Buddhist people. Upon reaching the uphill climb to the main dome, a stunning glimpse of the whole Kasthamandap valley with some mountain scenery can be witnessed from the backside. There are two ways to reach the Swoyambhunath main dome one from the 365 staircases and another through the 8 min way.
4. Boudhanath Stupa
The great stupa, with a 35-meter height, surrounded by 50 more gompas i.e. Boudhanath is a precious World Heritage Site in Kathmandu Valley.
The world’s largest dome with prayer flags is seen while entering the Boudhanath Ground. As the flags are spread from the corners, they seem to be floating in the blue sky.
The chanting melodies and bells might cause you palpitations if you attend the stupa during a prayer session. In addition, you can also visit the nearer stupa which is truly spiritual and related to the life stories of Gautam Buddha.
5. Kathmandu Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka
There are many monuments and buildings that reflect the full range of Kathmandu Valley’s cultural heritage. Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is also referred to as Hanuman Dhoka, leads you to witness the huge statue of the Monkey God.
The ancient 7th-century Kathmandu Durbar Square was built during the Malla and Shah kingdoms. Expatriates might be able to see the living goddess, Kumari. It is considered the jewel and most tourist-attracting place in Nepal.
In addition, many Hindu temples dedicated to different gods and goddesses are located within the square. Among all the 7 world heritage sites in Kathmandu, this Basantapur sightseeing is the most popular one.
- Tympanum of Kumari Temple Kathmandu
6. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The eastern side of Kathmandu Valley contains the culturally rich city of Bhaktapur. This city is home to a lot of temples and interesting places to visit. The focal point is the ancient Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which has been listed as one of the seven cultural heritage sites in Kathmandu Nepal.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a five-tiered temple that is locally known as Pach Tale Durbar. It is also known as Nyatapola Temple. It is one of the highest pagoda-style temples in Nepal. 55-windowed Durbar, the Golden Gate, Siddha-Pokhari, the Lions Gate, and many more are the attractions of Bhaktapur sightseeing.
Visiting this city in Nepal grants you the opportunity to observe the beautiful architecture and wooden temples coated with red bricks and metalwork. Also, while roaming around this area, you can get to see the pottery and craft skills of the local people.
7. Patan Durbar Square
The Patan Durbar Square is adorned with eye-catching architecture and skillful metal, wood, and stonework. Enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, Patan is the oldest city and the home of the Newari communities.
If visitors enter through the southern gate, they will see the main square and the numerous shrines on the other side. Sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, this site’s courtyard is coated with beautiful bright red bricks.
This Patan Durbar Square is separated into three different regions. Every section will be visited sequentially by the explorer. Firstly, the Sundari Chowk, i.e., the stone architecture section; then, head to Mul Chowk; and lastly, the Patan Museum.
- Patan Krishna Temple Lalitpur
Nutshell
Nepal is a fascinating country that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Because the old culture and traditional architecture of Nepal cannot be appropriately elucidated via images or screenplays until an individual actually visits there. Also, Kathmandu Valley sightseeing will be enough to know about the culture and heritage sites of Nepal.
The Kathmandu Valley serves as Nepal’s cultural hub because seven of its monuments have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So if you want to book a tour or have queries related to the 7 World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, you can directly DM us at +977-9841965533 or email at info@missionhimalayatreks.com
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
