Why Kathmandu Valley is special
Kathmandu Valley in Nepal is remote and exotic. It's walled by nearby hills and, in the distance, by the ever snow-capped Himalayan Mountains.
The Valley is still sprinkled with villages and farms seemingly untouched by time.
Although much of the capital city of Kathmandu has suffered from recent characterless urban sprawl, manyintricately carved Buddhist temples and an old royal Nepalese palace survive around Durbar Square in the old section of Kathmandu City. One building date backs to the 12th century - and the narrow atmospheric streets even earlier.

Kathmandu's visual trademark
Another local jewel is Swayambhunath Temple, which peacefully sits on a nearby hill overlooking Kathmandu City. The four sides of the base of its conical tower are painted with the seeing eyes of Buddha (see photo). This image has become the travel poster symbol of Nepal.

The Valley's two other must-see cities
Patan and Bhaktapur are the two other major cities of Kathmandu Valley - and seasoned travelers laud them. Like Kathmandu City, they have magnificent ancient temples & shrines - and even their own Durbar Squares. Unlike Kathmandu City, their pace is slow, as in olden days.

What leading travel books say about Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is complemented by the backdrop of awe-inspiring peaks of the Himalayas.
India & Nepal
Let's Go Guidebooks


Kathmandu Valley IS Nepal.
Kathmandu Valley
Passport Books