Kathmandu City Tour 1 Day

Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the ‘Monkey Temple,’ is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the world. The origin of this incredible religious landmark in the capital dates back 2,000 years and shares a story with the origin of this beautiful valley.

The holy site is revered as the place of enlightenment and spiritual awakening by the natives. This whitewashed dome is decorated with eyes and eyebrows that represent Buddha, which symbolizes the all-seeing nature of spiritual awakening and wisdom.

Pashupatinath Temple
Situated at the banks of Bagmati, this holy site is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the supreme deities in the Hindu religion. This pagoda-styled temple decorated with silver doors is a nerve center even among the other Hindu religious sites. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is revered as a head site for the Lord Shiva and was built around the 6th century by the Lichhavi King, Supuspadev.

You will also find the cremation area inside the temple on the banks of the Bagmati River. The cremations here are performed according to Hindu rituals and are believed to be one of the holiest places to start the journey of the afterlife as well. During the Maha Shivaratri, Hindu pilgrims from all over the world flock to the temple to offer prayers.

Bouddhanath Stupa
Bouddhanath Stupa is another UNESCO World Heritage landmark of this Kathmandu City Tour. This religious Buddhist site is the largest shrine in the entire South Asia and was built by Lichhavi King Man Dev in the 6th century. The design of this holy shrine follows the traditional Tibetan Buddhist architecture and is decorated with a gilded spire, which symbolizes enlightenment.

This religious Buddhist site is also considered a mandala, which represents the universe of Buddhism and opens up the path toward spiritual awakening and enlightenment. The four pairs of Buddhist eyes on the shrine represent the four cardinal directions; it symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom that sees everything in all directions.

Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is also known as the historical heart of the Kathmandu Valley, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. This historic monument is considered one of the oldest structures in the valley and was built in the 12th century with wood from a single tree.

Hanuman Dhoka in the eastern part is the most popular landmark of the square, and it has served as the official residence of both Malla and Shah rulers. The Kumari Ghar, the home of the ‘Living Goddess’ at the west end, is another popular highlight of this square. The living god Kumari is believed to be the reincarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali.

You will also have the opportunity to explore other popular highlights inside the Kathmandu Durbar Square like Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple, Tribhuvan Museum, Degutale Temple, Taleju Mandir, Kal Bhairab Temple, King Mahendra Memorial Museum, etc.