Sightseeing tour in Nepal is very exciting. It helps to explore diverse culture, arts, architectures, traditions and religions in and outside the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal is one of the spiritual place where many Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses, Sages and Gurus visited in the ancient time. There is a belief that Kathmandu was a meditation center for many Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses. The existing Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas and monasteries in the Kathmandu Valley represent this belief. Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Nagarkot, Bandipur, Pokhara, Chitawan, Lumbini are popular places for city sightseeing tour in Nepal.

Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Valley comprises of three Durbar Squares dated from 12th to 19th century and listed in the World Heritage Site in 1979. Durbar Square is the area of the Former Royal Palace where situated the king’s palace and different types of temple connected with different gods and goddesses. Therefore, Durbar Square is the collection of temples and royal palace.

Durbar Square

Kumari Bahal: The most famous being the Kumari Bahal, a building richly decorated with beautiful wood carvings, which is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess of Nepal. Kumari is the manifestation of the great goddess Durga. Kumari the only living Goddess in Nepal resides in her abode at the Kumari Bahal located at the Kathmandu Durbar Square. The Kumari is the protecting goddess of royal palace as well as people. The Kumari in Kathmandu Durbar Square is considered to be the most important and original one.

Hanuman Dhoka

It lies in the heart of the city. The Durbar Square, with its old palaces and temples, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here the Kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see are: here are Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D. and Jagannath Mandir which is the oldest temple in the area.

Basantapur Durbar or Nautale Durbar Coronation Platform (Nasal Chowk) The hall of Public Audience (Gaddi Baithak), The Big Bell, Gigantic figure of Kal Bhairav, the God of Destruction are other attractions of Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Budhanilkantha

Jalasaya Narayan popularly known as Budhanilkantha about 12 km north of Kathmandu, at the Shivapuri foothills. It is the largest Vishnu Lying on a coiled five headed serpent carved in a single stone. Jalasaya Narayan is Lord Vishnu for Vaishnavas, Lord Shiva for Shivas, and Lord Buddha for Buddhists. This outstanding artwork of Lichhavi sculptures dates back to some 1500 years.

Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple

This great temple is on the outskirts of Kathmandu. No one actually knows who built it. The Swayambhunath complex consists of a giant Stupa, a large ensemble of shrines and temples, and also includes a Tibetan monastery, a museum and library. This site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps.

Pashupatinath

This is the most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the great Shiva sites in Nepal. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shivalinga enshrined in its main temple. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism.

Boudhanath

This great stupa is one of the most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal.With a diameter of over 100 meters, it is amongst the largest stupas in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the construction of stupa,but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century.

Sightseeing in Patan

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari urban architecture in Nepal. There are temples devoted to Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh and Vishnu all actively visited by residents and visitors. At the northern end of the square the ancient sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use with young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone water spouts. The courtyards of the Royal Palace with their ornamented windows,columned arcades, shrines and sunken royal bath are amongst the most beautiful in all of Kathmandu valley.

Hiranya Varna Mandir

This three storey golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha) was built in the twelfth century.

Tibetan Center

It is a place where one can see the spinning, dying and weaving of Tibetan carpets.

Patan Industrial Estate

Patan Industrial Estate is well known for Nepali handicrafts such as woodcarving. Metal crafts, carpets, thangka paintings.

Sightseeing in Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Amongst its many attractions are substitute shrines for the four great Indian pilgrimage sites and the Golden Gate. This is the most famous piece of art in all Nepal, an exquisite monument of gilded metalwork constructed in 1753.

Potter Square

It is the neighborhood of the potter caste, where hundreds of clay vessels are set to dry in the sun before being fired in makeshift kilns. Families work in the open producing tiny oil lamps, teacups,bowls, vases and water jugs.

Nyatapola Temple

This five-storey pagoda was built in 1702 A.D.This is one of the tallest pagodas and is famous for its massive structure and the subtitle workshop.This temple was built for goddess laxmi.

Changu Narayan

It is said to have been built in 323 A.D by King Hari Dutta Varma. It is said to be the oldest temple in the Valley.

Sightseeing in Pokhara

Phewa Lake

Pokhara owes its popularity to the enchanting Phewa Lake, and along its eastern shore has grown the Lakeside or Baidam, a thriving resort town of hotels, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops that allow travelers to relax and enjoy. Phewa Lake is the largest and most beautiful of the three lakes.

Barahi Temple

Located in the middle of Phewa Lake,Barahi Temple is one of the most important monuments in Pokhara.

The Old Bazaar

Old Bazar only 4 km away from Phewa Lake, is a traditional bazaar and a colorful gathering place for an ethnically diverse group of traders. The temples and monuments bear a close resemblance to the Newari architecture of the Kathmandu Valley become more famous among Buddhist, hindu and other religion .It is believe the goddess will fulfill your wish once you visit there.

Suspension Bridge

The suspension bridge is simple but really interesting to visit. It is a connector between Bhalam village and pokhara city. One can see the nice view when reaches to the middle of the bridge.

World Peace Pagoda

The World Peace Pagoda can be seen on top of a hill on the southern fringe of Phewa Lake. It has four images of the Buddha facing the four directions. It is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna and Phewa Lake.

Bindhyabasini Temple, Devi’s Fall, Sarangkot are other famous places in Pokhara to visit.

Nagarkot

It is situated at 2300 meters, on the valley”s eastern rim. Nagarkot offers an excellent view of the Himalayas including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Manaslu mountains. It is a popular place for sunrise and sunset viewing

Bandipur

Bandipur is a charming hill town midway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is an ancient trading post inhabited by Magars (the original inhabitants of the area) and Newars. Bandipur offers excellent opportunities for day hikes or relaxation enjoying the panoramic mountain vistas. The hilltop town not only overlooks the incredible expanse of the Marsyangdi river valley, but also offers a breathtaking sweep of the Himalayan range from Langtang in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west.From nearby hilltops, one can see as far as Manakamana and Gorkha to the east to the great Chitwan plains to the south.