Go Backpacking

  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
×
Home » Destinations » Asia » Nepal

The Beauty and Culture of Kathmandu

Published: Aug 5, 2013 by Mark Wiens |

View of Kathmandu
View of Kathmandu

[S]ituated within a giant valley, Kathmandu is the largest and capital city of Nepal.

It's a busy city that has numerous attractions and plenty of interesting areas of town to explore.

Durbar Square
Durbar Square

Kathmandu's Durbar Square, an old plaza area near the former palace,  is one of three similar Durbar Squares within the valley.

Right in central Kathmandu, the Durbar Square is a historical area packed with interesting museums and structures.

Many local Nepalis hang out around the square.

Bhairava
Bhairava

The statue depicting Bhairava, or the fierce version of Hindu Shiva, is a main gathering point within Durbar Square.

There is continuously a group surrounding the monument and giving offerings.

Details in Durbar Square
Details in Durbar Square

Pay attention to the details while walking around Kathmandu, there are so many interesting gems throughout the city.

Dried fish and spices
Dried fish and spices

Tucked into small stores that look almost like ancient wooden closets, markets in Kathmandu are colorful and plentiful.

Fresh produce
Fresh produce

Throughout the day you can purchase fresh vegetables and fruit at nearly every corner of the old city.

Mandarin oranges
Mandarin oranges

Little mandarin oranges are everywhere in Kathmandu, and they are extremely cheap, juicy and sweet.

Potatoes and chickpeas for breakfast
Potatoes and chickpeas for breakfast

For breakfast I'd often stop for a street side plate of fried potatoes and seasoned chickpeas.

Along with a few cups of hot chai to wash things down, it made for a great light meal.

Monkey temple
Monkey temple

Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu, is located on top of a hill in the city and offers a wonderful view.

Along with Boudhanath (pictured below), it is one of the most important stupas and sites for Tibetan Buddhists.

Boudhanath
Boudhanath

Removed from the ancient part of Kathmandu is the famous Boudhanath, or just Boudha, stupa.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest stupas in the world, and is an extremely holy place for Tibetan Buddhism.

Everyday, thousands of followers come to Boudha and walk laps around the stupa. It's an incredible area to experience when you're in Kathmandu.

Related Stories

  • Trekking in Romania (photo: Andrei Tanase).
    10 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Traveling
  • Cala del Moraig beach in Spain (photo: Eduardo Kenji Amorim).
    Traveling to Spain? Here Are Some Things To Keep In Mind
  • Sailing Casco Bay, Maine (photo: Kristel Hayes).
    Choosing the Right Boat for Your Sailing Adventure
  • Sphinx and Great Pyramid in Giza (photo by Dilip Poddar, Unsplash).
    Kind Tourists Are Staying Away From Camel Rides in Egypt
66 shares
  • Share
  • Email

About Mark Wiens

Mark was raised in central Africa before migrating back to the U.S. for university. After graduating, he decided to continue traveling the world. On Migrationology, he shares the cultural side of travel from a slow-paced local perspective that often revolves around his love for eating all forms of food. Join him on Facebook and follow him on YouTube.

Comments

  1. Anita Mac says

    August 06, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Love Kathmandu...over due for a return. It was the first place that I visited that was significantly different that home...the noises and crowds overwhelmed me at first. I remember venturing out to the Monkey Temple with trepidation and excitement....it is so real and so alive in Nepal. Thanks for taking me back! There is so much to this place...it still fascinates me.

    • Dave says

      August 06, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      I had a similar reaction to Kathmandu, overwhelming at first, especially with the daily power outages, and then excited and ultimately fascinated by it all.

      But in terms of relaxing in a peaceful setting, I much preferred Pokhara!

  2. Don says

    August 13, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    I agree with you Dave. I much preferred Pokhara.

  3. Rebecca says

    September 04, 2013 at 1:39 am

    Always wanted to explore this aprt of the world - really enjoyed this article and lvoe the big photos!

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

Footer

back to top

About

  • About
  • Archive
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Follow Us

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Submissions

Copyright © 2025 Go Backpacking

66 shares
  • 66