Legend has it that the valley was was once a primordial lake ringed by verdant mountains. In this pristine lake lived giant serpents until one fine day, saint Manjushree, the Bodhisatva, raised a mighty sword and in one fell swoop, cut open the side of a mountain at a place now known as Chobar. The voluminous waters of the lake gushed out, leaving behind a fertile valley capable of supporting large urban settlements over the millennia. The Gopala and Kirati dynasties were the earliest rulers here followed by the Licchavi (300-879 A.D.), under whom flourished trade and crafts.
But the valley’s remarkable cities with their ornate palaces, the superbly crafted pagodas and the monumental stupas are testimony of the artistic genius of the Newar craftsmen, the original inhabitants of the valley, whose skills were championed by the Malla kings and appreciated even by the Mongol rulers of 18th century China.
MUSEUM:
NATIONAL MUSEUM:
Located at Chauni, at the foot of the Swayambhu hill, the building that houses the National Museum was once the residence of Nepal’s Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa who built the Dharahara. It has a fine collection of bronze images and paubha scroll paintings. It also has a splendid collection of firearms from ancient, medieval and modern Nepal as well as a sword gifted by Napoleon.
NATIONAL NUMISMATIC MUSEUM:
It is housed in the National Museum, has an exceptional collection of Nepali coins of the Lichhavi and Malla period (2nd to 18th century A.D.) as well as the Shah period.
It is housed in the National Museum, has an exceptional collection of Nepali coins of the Lichhavi and Malla period (2nd to 18th century A.D.) as well as the Shah period.
NATIONAL ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM:
It is housed on the first floor of the Tourist Service Center at Bhrikuti Mandap. It has dioramas depicting the lifestyles of 11 ethnic communities of Nepal.
It is housed on the first floor of the Tourist Service Center at Bhrikuti Mandap. It has dioramas depicting the lifestyles of 11 ethnic communities of Nepal.
HANUMAN DHOKA PALACE MUSEUM:
There are three museums housed in the sprawling historical Hanuman Dhoka Palace at Kathmandu Durbar Square dedicated to three Shah kings Tribhuvan, Mahendra and Birendra. They showcase the lifestyle of the three generations of the Shah kings and include gifts, decorations, the clothes they wore and their hobbies. One of the highlights of visiting the old palace is the nine-storied durbar with its exquisitely carved giant windows that lean out of the building.
There are three museums housed in the sprawling historical Hanuman Dhoka Palace at Kathmandu Durbar Square dedicated to three Shah kings Tribhuvan, Mahendra and Birendra. They showcase the lifestyle of the three generations of the Shah kings and include gifts, decorations, the clothes they wore and their hobbies. One of the highlights of visiting the old palace is the nine-storied durbar with its exquisitely carved giant windows that lean out of the building.
PATAN MUSEUM:
The museum in Patan Durbar Square specialises in bronze statues and religious objects. There are nearly 200 items on display. Some of the art dates from the 11th century. Most of the statues are of the Buddha, Vishnu, Lokeswar and Devi, covering both the Hindu and the Buddhist iconology.
The museum in Patan Durbar Square specialises in bronze statues and religious objects. There are nearly 200 items on display. Some of the art dates from the 11th century. Most of the statues are of the Buddha, Vishnu, Lokeswar and Devi, covering both the Hindu and the Buddhist iconology.
THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY:
The museum in Bhaktapur is housed in the old Malla Palace of 55 Windows in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The gallery has a rich collection of paubha scroll paintings, bronze, brass, stone and wooden images.
The museum in Bhaktapur is housed in the old Malla Palace of 55 Windows in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The gallery has a rich collection of paubha scroll paintings, bronze, brass, stone and wooden images.
THE NATIONAL WOODWORKING MUSEUM:
The museum in Dattatreya Square is in the restored 15th-century Pujari Math building. The Pujari Math is a museum in itself, with the very finest of Newar woodcarving including the famous Peacock Window. It has ancient and medieval paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist schools.
The museum in Dattatreya Square is in the restored 15th-century Pujari Math building. The Pujari Math is a museum in itself, with the very finest of Newar woodcarving including the famous Peacock Window. It has ancient and medieval paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist schools.
THE BRONZE AND BRASS MUSEUM :
It is in a 15th-century building opposite the Pujari Math at Tachapal Tol, Bhaktapur. A rich collection of domestic and ceremonial metalware is exhibited in the museum.
Things To Do:
SIGHTSEEING:
Speckled with temples, ancient palaces and courtyards, World Heritage monuments; surrounded by hills and snow-capped mountains; and inhabited by the most hospitable people, Kathmandu is an ideal place to go sightseeing.
WINING & DINING :
It is a serious sport in Kathmandu. There are more than a thousand pubs and restaurants in the capital - from cultural evenings at the star hotels to simple trekkers’ joints. At Kathmandu’s restaurants, one gets infinite choices - from traditional Nepali food to Italian delicacies, Russian delights and spicy Indian specialties.
It is in a 15th-century building opposite the Pujari Math at Tachapal Tol, Bhaktapur. A rich collection of domestic and ceremonial metalware is exhibited in the museum.
Things To Do:
SIGHTSEEING:
Speckled with temples, ancient palaces and courtyards, World Heritage monuments; surrounded by hills and snow-capped mountains; and inhabited by the most hospitable people, Kathmandu is an ideal place to go sightseeing.
WINING & DINING :
It is a serious sport in Kathmandu. There are more than a thousand pubs and restaurants in the capital - from cultural evenings at the star hotels to simple trekkers’ joints. At Kathmandu’s restaurants, one gets infinite choices - from traditional Nepali food to Italian delicacies, Russian delights and spicy Indian specialties.
NIGHT LIFE:
After a day of touring the valley’s cities, there are plenty of ways to relax and entertain yourself in the evening - upbeat music, exciting dances, tasty food, choicest drinks, good cinema halls and casinos.
CASINOS:
For a small town, Kathmandu has quite a number of casinos, all providing non-stop fun and games. Besides gaming, there is regular entertainment in the form of concerts and dance performances.
SHOPPING:
Nepal is a shopping destination for designer products such as Christian Dior, Gucci, Yves Laurent, Chanel, Nike, Givanchy, you name it. And thanks to lower overhead costs, Nepal’s departmental stores and malls offer them at unbeatable bargain prices.
SOURVENIRS:
As for Nepal’s handicrafts, they need no introduction. They have been coveted items since ancient times for their fine craftsmanship and supreme quality. The shops at Thamel, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Durbar Marg sell hand-knotted woolen carpets, jewelry, pashmina shawls, woolen knitwares, embroidery, thanka paintings, wood carvings, metal works, ceramics and pottery, rice paper and stationery.
GOLF:
Kathmandu offers two golf courses ranging from 9 to 18 holes and have been developed by world-class developers
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT:
It’s an hour-long flight usually in the morning to see the Himalayan peaks, several of them above eight thousand meters, including Mount Everest, the world’s tallest at 8,848 m. It is something not to be missed.
Climate:
Kathmandu Valley is blessed by a temperate climate. The temperature does not exceed 34 degrees Celsius even during the scorching summer months and does not drop below 3 degrees Celsius in winter.
Access / Accommodation:
One can directly fly into the Tribhuvan International Airport in the Kathmandu Valley. One can ride buses or drive to Kathmandu from border towns and other parts of the country. There are five-star hotels, resorts to moderate accommodations with modern amenities available in and around Kathmandu Valley.
After a day of touring the valley’s cities, there are plenty of ways to relax and entertain yourself in the evening - upbeat music, exciting dances, tasty food, choicest drinks, good cinema halls and casinos.
CASINOS:
For a small town, Kathmandu has quite a number of casinos, all providing non-stop fun and games. Besides gaming, there is regular entertainment in the form of concerts and dance performances.
SHOPPING:
Nepal is a shopping destination for designer products such as Christian Dior, Gucci, Yves Laurent, Chanel, Nike, Givanchy, you name it. And thanks to lower overhead costs, Nepal’s departmental stores and malls offer them at unbeatable bargain prices.
SOURVENIRS:
As for Nepal’s handicrafts, they need no introduction. They have been coveted items since ancient times for their fine craftsmanship and supreme quality. The shops at Thamel, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Durbar Marg sell hand-knotted woolen carpets, jewelry, pashmina shawls, woolen knitwares, embroidery, thanka paintings, wood carvings, metal works, ceramics and pottery, rice paper and stationery.
GOLF:
Kathmandu offers two golf courses ranging from 9 to 18 holes and have been developed by world-class developers
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT:
It’s an hour-long flight usually in the morning to see the Himalayan peaks, several of them above eight thousand meters, including Mount Everest, the world’s tallest at 8,848 m. It is something not to be missed.
Climate:
Kathmandu Valley is blessed by a temperate climate. The temperature does not exceed 34 degrees Celsius even during the scorching summer months and does not drop below 3 degrees Celsius in winter.
Access / Accommodation:
One can directly fly into the Tribhuvan International Airport in the Kathmandu Valley. One can ride buses or drive to Kathmandu from border towns and other parts of the country. There are five-star hotels, resorts to moderate accommodations with modern amenities available in and around Kathmandu Valley.
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