Final year of school was about to kickstart, and we wanted epicness before that.
''So pour your money out and leave the country'' , was the imaginary popular choice. So Kathmandu it was.
For touring though, not leaving forever!
Kathmandu is no serinity. People dazzling around, cars honking behind you, stores twinking everywhere, felt like we are on a city based mission.
The home version of Time Square, Durbar Square that is very popular among the tourists. The area has many small but beautiful monuments that have Historical importance. Nearby is Narayanhity Palace, the home of Nepal's monarch. Though this place is out of bound for the tourists, one can very well appreciate the beauty from outside. Apart from that Kathmandu offers ample options for eateries and shopping. The place is famous for handicrafts items that can be bought for mementos and gifts. The embroidered clothes are the other must buy items.
The Kathmandu valley consists of 3 historic, artistic and cultural towns namely Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The combined area of this urban agglomeration is more than 250 square miles.
For us it was an escape from reality, but you can make it your trip of a lifetime.
This important historical attraction has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you will certainly want to include a tour of the area in the itinerary. Durbar Square's Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex is the main attraction here. The striking palace was named in honor of the monkey god, Hanuman, and a statue of the unusual deity stands at the main entranceway. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial museum and the Mahendra Museum. At the southern end of the Durbar Square there is the most curious attraction in Nepal, the Kumari Chowk. You would be able to see a Kumari House, where the Living Goddess of Nepal resides.
You can take a three wheeled rickshaw in the Durbar Square and have a short trip on this interesting place. If you are lucky enough and the driver of rickshaw is interesting, you would be able to know the hidden things about the Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Busier than Bombay local trains.
Thamel is a colourful and beautiful mixture of craft shops, boutique cafes, trekking gear, and rainbow prayer flags. Ason Bazaar, Durbar Square, Samakushi and Swayambhunath are a mere 10 to 30 minutes walk from Thamel. The place has clean narrow streets full of mushrooming lodges, hotels for budget travellers. There are about hundred hotels located in Thamel. t. Every couple of paces, you'll find somewhere renowned for its delicious dishes and cosy ambience. At night, Thamel is a twinkling mass of coloured lights, paper lanterns and neon restaurant signs.
The National Museum of Nepal.
Opened as a public museum in the year 1938 and was christened The National Museum of Nepal only in year 1967. Previous to that, only foreign scholars and invitees or guests of the Ranas were allowed to have a look of these wonderful collections. The museum has separate galleries dedicated to statues, paintings, murals, coins and weapons. The weapon gallery is cut throat stuff.
Among others, it contains various types of Nepalese swords that are called Khukri in the local language. It also contains various types of guns that range from the sultanate era Turkish long barrel to the Royal Enfield built British guns.
The coins segment.
The oldest coin on display dates back to 12th century. There are separate coins that were issued by the warring families of Shahs and Ranas. There are various statues that have been excavated from the various parts of the kingdom. The ones from the era of the Buddhist dominance are the most impressive.
Each year in November, around 200 students from around the world travel to Kopan monastery for one month of meditation and insight into the Dharma. Once the home of the astrologer to the king of Nepal, Kopan is a now a thriving monastery of over 300 monks, and a spiritual oasis for hundreds of visitors yearly from around the world.
A great place to learn about Tibetan Buddhism, there's classes on Buddhism everyday at 10am besides Saturday. Opening once every week, on the top of the hills(Kathmandu outskirts) this is a great shrine to visit.
Or the Bhimesen tower.
Prime minister Bhimsen Thapa's second creation.Presently the tower rises above 60 m (9 storied tall) with the 8th floor having a circular balcony from which visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Kathmandu city.
The architecture of the dazzling white beaytu is a crosbeed of Mughal and European styles.
Towering like a lighthouse over the labyrinthine old town, this white, minaretlike tower near the post office is a useful landmark.
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