The ancient history of Katmandu begins from Manjushree ( The Buddhist Saint). Before Manjushree came to Kathmadnu it was a lake, he cut southern side of the lake and drained out the water and made it in habitable. many dynastic came and went. Trade and arts flourished. There are seven heritage sites in the valley. Kathmandu has an exotic setting. It is surrounded by tier of green mountains wall above which tower mighty snow -capped peaks in winter. It consists of three main towns of great historic, artistic and cultural interest: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhadgaun. The Valley covers an area of 596sq. miles. It is situated at 1330m.above the sea-level. The major tourist attractions in Kathmandu include:

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE : Durbar in Nepali means "Palace"and in patan and Bhaktapur as well as kathmandu there are durbar aquares in front of their old palaces. The king no longer lives in the old royal palace in Kathmandu. Actually durbar square is the "Heart "historic seat of Royalty. The durbar square, with its old temples and palaces. Basantapur tower, Kumari (The living goddes), Kastamandap (House of wood), Garuda, Shiva temple, Sweta and Black Bhairab, Talaju Temple, Old royal palace,anuman statue (God of monkey) and etc.

PATAN : Also known as Lalitpur. An ancient city is situated on the southern bank of the river Bagmati and is about five kilometers southest of kathmandu. The city is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, with fine bronge gateway, gurdian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metel workers, it is known as the city of artists.

BHAKTAPUR : Also known as Bhadgaon, 'city of devotees' is 14 km east of Kathmadnu. The exquisitely carved 55 windows palace. The Golden Gate an old palace, 5-stored Nyatapola temple and Bhairab Temple near by and Duttatray aquere etc can be
observed.

SWAYAMBHUNATH : An ancient stupa at the top of a steep hill. Believed to be more than 2200 years old. The over looking eyes of the Buddha on central stupa seen from four sides is a glamorous view to watch. This temple also call as Monkey temple.

BOUDDHANATH : Possibly the world,s largest stupa and of Tibetan Buddhist Culture in Nepal. Antique shops where you can buy things of your interest relating to Buddhist surrounded the monastery. During the Tibetan New year, There are many Buddhist visiting Buddha.

PASHUPATINATH : The Pashupatinath temple stands along the side of Bagmati river. It is theholiest Temple for Hindus. Many people from different part of Asia visit this Temple. Temple dedicated to lord Shiva, is also a site for Hindu cremation. During the festival Shiva Ratri temple crowed by devotees.

PLACE FOR SUNRISE : (Nagerkot)
About an hour driving passing Bhaktapur through beautiful countryside taken you to the top of the Nagarkot (2175m.)This place is very famous to view the spectacular Himalayan Range from Annapurna to Everest

PLACE FOR Mountains VIEW: (Dhulikhel)
30 km.east of kathmandu Valley. The way to Tibet and is one of the scenic sports of valley. Mt langtang to Mt. Everest are to viwed from here.It has some interesting temples and old house around the city.

 

Panauti Bazar :- Panauti is wedged between the Punyamata and Roshi streams. Panauti forms the shape of a triangle with a serpent (Naga) idol standing at each of its three corners to protect from floods. Pride of this place goes to the massive, three-tired Indreshwor Mahadev. Some authorities believe this to be the original structure that was raised here in 1294 AD, which would make it the oldest surviving Nepal. The shrine area at the sacred confluence called the Khware', is one of those tranquil spots that can way lay a dreamer for hours. The large 'battal', a favorite hang out for the local pensioners, the collective range of fresco depicting scenes from Hindu and some Buddhist mythology. Vishnu in cosmic deep, Rama killing the ten-headed demon-king Ravana and even Krishna being chased up a tree by a pack of naked Gopis (milkmaids). On the opposite back stands the recently restored 17th century Brahmayani Mandir.

PALANCHOWK BHAGWATI :
Palanchowk Bhagwati is situated over the hill overlooking the valley of Panchkhal and 40 km north-east of the Kathmandu city. This temple of Palanchowk Bhagwati is said to have been constructed during the reign of King Man Dev. The temple houses a 3 feet long beautiful artistic idol of Goddess Bhagwati carved in a black stone.

NAMO BUDDHA :
This Namo Buddha is situated on a hill above Panauti and requires either drive or good hike, walk is recommended to visit this place. There is an amazing story concerning Buddha being commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a stupa with the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is an ideal place for in meditation. Monsoon i.e. May, June July are not recommended. About two and a half hours north of Dhulikhel on foot, the stupa rest on a red-earth ledge near the tops of jungle ridge. During February-March pilgrimage season, Tibetans and Bhotias arrive by the vanload to circumambulate it. Among the houses surrounding the stupa is a dinky Tamang 'Gompa' when you can enter.

A trial leads up to a bigger Tibetan gompa on top of the prayer flag festooned ridge behind and in one of the out buildings is preserved a famous stone relief sculpture depicting the legend of Namo Buddha. According to the fable Buddha, in on of his previous lives as a hunter, encountered a starving tigress and her cubs here, and moved by compassion, offered his own flesh to her, a sacrifice that helped pave the way for his eventual rebirth as the historical Buddha. The stupa is supposed to contain the hunter's bones and hair.

KAKANI :
Kakani is located 29 km north-west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1982 m above sea level and is famous for the magnificent view over Kathmandu Valley and the north-western Himalayas ranges against the vastness of the sky. The fabulous area of Kakani features attractions ranging from beautiful alpine scenery to the magnificent Himalayan Panorama particularly the Ganesh Himal massif. A close view of the other peak of Himalayas which can be seen from here are Gaurishanker (7134 in), Choba Bhamte (6016 in), Dorje

Lakpa, Manaslu (8163 in), Himalchuli (7893 in), Annapurna (8091 m) and the other several peaks. A majestic view of the sunset can also be seen from this place. A trip to Kakani along the beautiful highway of Trishuli Road, is scenically rewarding with green forest and mountains grandeur in one direction and fertile river flats and terraces cultivation on the other. This road begins from Balaju and terminates at Kaule from where the road bifurcates.

LUMBINI :
Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace and compassion. It is 21 km west of Bhairahawa and 285 km south-west of Kathmandu. It is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhist as well as place of reverence for peace lovers of any religious faith throughout the world. In Lumbini the central attraction is the sacred garden with Maya Devi temple depicting the birth of Lord Buddha, Ashoka Pillar pinpointing the birth place of Buddha and Shakya Tank where Maya Devi, the mother of Lord Buddha, is supposed to have taken a dip before bringing forth the baby - Lord Buddha. Around this holy site, there are remnants of Monasteries and Chaityas built over the centuries following Buddha's birth in 632 BC.

The work is underway at Lumbini to transform three square miles of flat, empty land into an expression of Buddha's peace and compassion creating a sculpted landscape to make the teaching of Lord Buddha accessible to all humanities. The project area designed on a north-south axis encompasses three zone each covering one square mile. The Lumbini village lies as a gateway to the outer world. The second zone, on either side of a canal and walkway will be developed into a monastic enclave where nations, institutions and organization can build places of worship that reflect varying religious ideals and styles. A meditation center will be the highlight of this zone. The third and most important zone is the sacred garden itself where the beauty of its plant life will be restored to create a reverent atmosphere in which one can experience Buddha's universal message.