The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hinduism and Buddhism coexist here, blended with animist rituals and Tantrism, all shaped by Newar culture.
The seven zones
- Durbar Squares of Kathmandu (Hanuman Dhoka), Patan and Bhaktapur.
- Swayambhu: the stupa complex, the valley’s oldest Buddhist monument.
- Boudhanath: Nepal’s largest stupa.
- Pashupati: a vast Hindu temple precinct dedicated to Shiva.
- Changu Narayan: a traditional Newar settlement with one of the oldest Hindu temples.
Art and craft
Architecture and craftsmanship in brick, stone, timber and bronze reached their peak between 1500 and 1800.
For visitors
Walking clockwise around the Boudhanath stupa, among prayer wheels and flags, is one of the most peaceful experiences in the valley.
Source: UNESCO – Kathmandu Valley.
Image: Nabin K. Sapkota, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
