Nepal Tourist Attractions according to listed in World Heritage sites by UNESCO
Nepal is a land of assortment. Variance lies everywhere. You will have adventure, religion, architecture and heritage on the same platter. Come let us visit some of the major tourist destinations of Nepal.
Visitors dream of trekking to the foot of the world's highest peak Mt. Everest, called Sagarmatha in Nepali language, located in the Khumbu region of east Nepal. The region includes upper catchments area of the Dudha Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. The area is largely composed of the rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas ranging from 5,800m to the top of the world Mt. Everest (8,848m).
Facts 1. Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician and surveyor from Bengal, was the first to identify Everest as the world's highest peak in 1852, using trigonometric calculations based on measurements of "Peak XV".
2. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Britain were the first to climb Mount Everest successfully in 1953.
3. In Nepal, the mountain is called Sagarmatha meaning 'Goddess of the Sky'. This name was invented in the early 1960s by Baburam Acharya when the Nepalese government realized that Mount Everest had no Nepalese name.
4. Everest has been named after Sir George Everest in 1865, the British surveyor-general of India. The mountain was once known as Peak 15.
Annapurna Range
Starting point to the most astonishing treks to Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Range is rightly called the 'Range of the Gods'. A blissful site, the Range is a natural amphitheater ringed by giant, heavenly treks like Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhare. With several peaks ranging above 7000 meters, the experience is indeed thrilling.
Annapurna, a collosal masiff is placed as the tenth tallest mountain in the world. Kali Gandaki river segregates Annarpurna mountain range from the great gorge that slices through the Himalayas. Range of Mount Annapurna holds huge glaciers on its slopes.
Highlights
The trek to Annapurna mountain takes the tourists very very close to nature. The trek is a marvelous combination of being spiritually soothing and highly adventurous. The following places are the trek's highlights.
• Fewa Lake Pokhara
• Gurung Villages, Langdrung and Gandrung
• Hinko Cave
• Bamboo Forests
• Machapuchare Base Camp
• Annapurna Base Camp
Tit-Bits
• In 1950, it became the first 8,000 meter mountain to be successfully climbed.
• 'Annapurna' is a Sanskrit name that can be translated as 'Goddess of the Harvests' or more simply 'The Provider'.
The magnificent temple of Lord Pashupatinath, about 5 kms north-east of Kathmandu, is situated amidst many other temples on the right bank of the river Bagmati. Pashupatinath Temple is considered to be the holiest Hindu Pilgrimage site in Nepal. Dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva, the shrines and temples of Pashupatinath attract thousands of visitors from within and outside the country every year. This wooded ravine near the golf course and airport is considered to be one of the abodes of Lord Shiva. (Read More)
Chitwan National Park (CNP) has long been one of the country's treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest - from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat (place) - extends over an area of 175 sq. km. The area was gazetted as the country's first national park in 1973. Recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO declared CNP a World Heritage Site in 1984. (Read More)
This impressive double roofed Changu Narayan Temple is said to be the most ancient Vishnu temple in the Kathmandu Valley. The original temple was built around the 4th century. The present pagoda-style temple was rebuilt in 1702 after it was destroyed by fire. It is located in a beautiful peaceful location, 4km north of Bhaktapur, on a hill top in the east side of the Valley. The temple is UNESCO listed World Heritage site. (Read More)
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is an assortment of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is part of a charming valley as it highlights the idols of ancient kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in very place - struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows - all seem to form a well orchestrated symphony.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage site by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City.
The Palace Complex was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels an. It houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum.
Golden Gate
Golden Gate is considered to be the most beautiful and rich specimen of its kind not only in Nepal but the entire world. Door of the great monument is bedecked with mysterious monsters and other mythical creatures. The door is of immense archaeological, historical and religious importance, and the architecture is indeed of great value.
The Golden Gate was built by Monarch Ranjit Malla. It is the entrance to the main courtyard of the palace of fifty-five windows, in Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Also recognized by many as Sun Dhoka, the Golden Gate is the pride of Nepal. A figure of the Goddess Kali and Garuda (mythical bird) is at the top of the door. It is also assisted by two heavenly nymphs.
Bodhnath Stupa is a bastion of Tibetan culture in the heart of the Kathmandu valley. Energized by the arrival of thousands of Tibetans after the 1959 Chinese invasion, the temple has become one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism. Bodhnath is the largest stupa in Nepal and was probably built in the 14th century after the Mughal invasions. From the air it looks like a giant Mandala, or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. (Read More)
Known as the monkey temple, Syambhunath has remained substantially unchanged since the 14th century. An appreciation of the stupa is best gained by proceeding around it in a clockwise direction. As people walk round while praying, wheels fixed to the balustrade are set in motion. (Read More)
Hanuman Dhoka
Hanuman Dhoka is the former Royal Palace of the Malla kings and sequentially of the Shah dynasty. Several complexes, taking up about five acres, are connected together. Outside the palace is a stone inscription stationed by the late King Pratap Malla. The inscription has matter written on it in 15 different languages. It is said that if someone reads the inscription, then milk would gush out from the middle of it. Hanuman's statue, dressed in a red cloak, placed outside the darbar, is an object of devotion.
Visitors dream of trekking to the foot of the world's highest peak Mt. Everest, called Sagarmatha in Nepali language, located in the Khumbu region of east Nepal. The region includes upper catchments area of the Dudha Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. The area is largely composed of the rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas ranging from 5,800m to the top of the world Mt. Everest (8,848m).
Starting point to the most astonishing treks to Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Range is rightly called the 'Range of the Gods'. A blissful site, the Range is a natural amphitheater ringed by giant, heavenly treks like Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhare. With several peaks ranging above 7000 meters, the experience is indeed thrilling.
The magnificent temple of Lord Pashupatinath, about 5 kms north-east of Kathmandu, is situated amidst many other temples on the right bank of the river Bagmati. Pashupatinath Temple is considered to be the holiest Hindu Pilgrimage site in Nepal. Dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva, the shrines and temples of Pashupatinath attract thousands of visitors from within and outside the country every year. This wooded ravine near the golf course and airport is considered to be one of the abodes of Lord Shiva. (
Chitwan National Park (CNP) has long been one of the country's treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest - from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat (place) - extends over an area of 175 sq. km. The area was gazetted as the country's first national park in 1973. Recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO declared CNP a World Heritage Site in 1984. (
This impressive double roofed Changu Narayan Temple is said to be the most ancient Vishnu temple in the Kathmandu Valley. The original temple was built around the 4th century. The present pagoda-style temple was rebuilt in 1702 after it was destroyed by fire. It is located in a beautiful peaceful location, 4km north of Bhaktapur, on a hill top in the east side of the Valley. The temple is UNESCO listed World Heritage site. (
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is an assortment of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is part of a charming valley as it highlights the idols of ancient kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in very place - struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows - all seem to form a well orchestrated symphony.
Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage site by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City.
Golden Gate is considered to be the most beautiful and rich specimen of its kind not only in Nepal but the entire world. Door of the great monument is bedecked with mysterious monsters and other mythical creatures. The door is of immense archaeological, historical and religious importance, and the architecture is indeed of great value.
Bodhnath Stupa is a bastion of Tibetan culture in the heart of the Kathmandu valley. Energized by the arrival of thousands of Tibetans after the 1959 Chinese invasion, the temple has become one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism. Bodhnath is the largest stupa in Nepal and was probably built in the 14th century after the Mughal invasions. From the air it looks like a giant Mandala, or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. (
Known as the monkey temple, Syambhunath has remained substantially unchanged since the 14th century. An appreciation of the stupa is best gained by proceeding around it in a clockwise direction. As people walk round while praying, wheels fixed to the balustrade are set in motion. (
Hanuman Dhoka is the former Royal Palace of the Malla kings and sequentially of the Shah dynasty. Several complexes, taking up about five acres, are connected together. Outside the palace is a stone inscription stationed by the late King Pratap Malla. The inscription has matter written on it in 15 different languages. It is said that if someone reads the inscription, then milk would gush out from the middle of it. Hanuman's statue, dressed in a red cloak, placed outside the darbar, is an object of devotion.