UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Nepal ratified the convention on 20 June 1978, making its historical sites eligible for inclusion on the list. These world heritage sites are amazing man-made wonders. Some of these are over 2500 years old. As UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each of these places have a wealth of fascinating culture, history or simply pure natural beauty and diversity to offer.
Pashupatinath Temple
Swayambhunath Stupa
Pashupatinath is Nepal’s holiest Hindu site. Pashupatinath is a millennia old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple complex consists of the main temple and compound, surrounded by a variety of smaller temples, ashrams and sculptures and is bordered by the holy Bagmati River to the east. Many Nepali and Indian pilgrims come here, especially during Shivaratri, a festival in March that honours the Hindu Lord Shiva. The site has been holy since around the third century BCE, but the large golden-roofed pagoda dates from the seventeenth century. The temple has been on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1979
Syayambhunath Stupa is believed to be around 2500 years old and because of this, it is considered probably one of the oldest monuments making its name on the list. It is a Buddhist stupa two kilometres west of central Kathmandu. It’s perched on a hill, so is visible from various points throughout the city, and when the weather is good, the views of the city and the greater Kathmandu Valley from Swayambhu are impressive. It is said that Swayambhunath, literally meaning self-sprung, was formed after the lake dried out gave rise to the current valley. This hilltop stupa is an amazing mixture of Hindu shrines and Buddhist stupas; two different forms of architecture co-existing in harmony. It is said there are 365 steps on the stairs that lead up to Swayambhunath.
Boudhanath Stupa
Changu Narayan Temple
Boudhanath dates from the fifth century, and is one of the largest stupas in the world. There are a number of Newar as well as Tibetan Buddhist myths and legends surrounding this amazing stupa, it was built by a Licchavi King Sivadeva. The stupa is surrounded by various temples or ‘gompas’. The atmosphere of the whole place lightens up with zest as fragrance of incense drifts through the air. Chanting of monks and creaking of prayer wheels can be heard while strolling around the base. It is one of the prime sites for pilgrims and tourists in the country.
Considered as the oldest temple in all of Nepal, Changu Narayan is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri and is surrounded by forest with a champak tree and a small village known as Changu Village. The temple is located around 14 kilometers east of Kathmandu. Stone inscription of 464 A.D and other architectural master piece featured in the temple showcase ancient history of Nepal. The temple also bores the sculptures of Vishnu’s ten incarnations. The temple provides an awesome view of Manohara River cascading through lush vegetation.
Lumbini
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini lies in the southern Terai plains of Nepal and is about 300 kilometers Southwest of Kathmandu. The major monuments and landmarks to explore here include the Maya Devi Temple, Sacred Garden, World Peace Pagoda, China Temple, Thai Monastery, Burmese (Myanmar) Temple, Nepal Buddha Temple, Dharmaswami Buddhist monastery and Tilaurkot Palace. There is a museum and a research center for Buddhism. It is also considered an ideal birding destination as it houses variety of rare bird species.
The buildings of the Kathmandu Durbar Square mostly date to the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, but the white, European style Gaddi Durbar Palace was built in 1908. This was the old royal palace and courtyard of the Mallas and Shahs of Kathmandu with a plethora of temples and shrines. The notable things to explore here include the namesake monument Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Mandir, Nine storey Basantapur Tower, Sundari Chowk, Tribhuvan Museum, King Mahendra Memorial Museum and Kal Bhairab temple in its vicinity. The palace bears the historical reminisce of Royal family, culture and religion of Nepal. Museums inside the palace lets one explore the culture, religion, custom, tradition, architecture, history of Royal palaces etc. An entrance fee has been set for entering into the museums.
Patan Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Similar to the Kathmandu Durbar, the Patan Durbar Square is the old palace of the kingdom of Patan/Lalitpur. People believe that the town was named after King Yalamber, as Patan also translates to Yala. It is located around 8 km south-east of central Kathmandu. This city presents a potpourri of finest traditional crafts and rich artistic heritage. Patan Durbar Square, Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple or Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Mulchowk, Jagat Narayan Temple, Big Bell, Pillar of Yognarendra Malla, Hari Shanker temple, Vishwanath temple, Bhimsen temple, Marga Hiti, Mani Mandap, Café Pagoda, Rato Machhendra Temple, Minnath, Rudra Varna Mahavihar etc are the major attractions of Patan.
The third major Durbar Square of the Kathmandu Valley is in Bhaktapur, east of central Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is regarded as the abode of ancient Nepali culture, custom and alluring arts pieces of excellent craftsmanship. Each historical monument represents medieval culture, religious and custom of Nepal. Newari populace has largely dominated Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is the only place in Nepal which has remained untouched by western culture. The wood, stone and metal carvings around the temples, and the traditional clay pots drying in the courtyards in the sun are beautiful attractions of Bhaktapur. Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, Statue of King Bhupatindra, Nyatapola Temple and fifty-five windowed Malla palace are the living prides of Bhaktapur.
Chitwan National park
Sagarmatha National Park
The Chitwan National Park, formerly known as the Royal Chitwan National Park was the first national park of Nepal, being established in 1973. The park stretches over an area of 952 sq. km and has a number of exciting activities to choose from including rafting, canoeing, elephant bathing and of course, Jungle Safari. With nature at its best you will come across the rarest species of eco-system. The villages of the indigenous Tharu people just outside the park are ideal places to participate in a homestay and learn about a different way of Nepali life.
Being established in the year 1976, just 3 years after its creation it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to the immense amounts of cultural and natural wealth of this region. The Sagarmatha National Park is the area in which Everest is situated. As well as the ever-popular Everest Base Camp trek, a number of other fantastic treks can be done in the park, including to the pristine blue Gokyo Lakes. It is home to a diverse variety of Himalayan flora and fauna including rhododendrons, blue pine, silver fir and birch among others. While exploring the Sagarmatha National Park, there is also the possibility of encountering rare mountain wildlife like snow leopard, pandas, lynx, snow cock, pheasant, snow pigeon etc.