Best attractions in Nepal: Top 21
Content
At almost any time of the year tourists are available numerous attractions of Nepal and high quality hotel services. Here you can organize recreation for all tastes, from immersion in the world of spiritual teachings, ending with spa treatments. And no matter how luxurious the hotels in Nepal are, the most beautiful things are outside of them. Foreign visitors are treated to stunning views, a variety of activities, ancient temples and an abundance of sacred sites. To say what to see in Nepal in 1 day is extremely difficult, because there are dozens of beautiful and interesting places for tourists. We’ve compiled a ranking of the best sights - you can use it as a guide when preparing your trip. Wherever you decide to go, do not forget to buy souvenirs (teas, ceramics, clothing and blankets made of natural materials) that will remind you of your journey.
What to see first in Nepal
When choosing what to visit in Nepal, should be guided by who you go with (alone, with family, friends), for how long and what you have ideas about a good vacation. On the preferences also depends on the choice of accommodation. Mostly it is mountainous terrain, so it is not convenient to travel long distances every day, and the main attractions are scattered throughout the area. Initially decide what you want more - to do trekking, see ancient buildings, visit national parks, etc.
Here are the sights of Nepal that are definitely worth considering as elements of a tourist itinerary:
1. Kathmandu City
The city of Kathmandu is an unconventional metropolis, which has a special atmosphere of antiquity due to the many buildings of ancient construction. Do not know what to see in Nepal, if you come to the capital for only a day? We recommend visiting temples, wandering through narrow streets and observing the local way of life, and be sure to see at least a couple of museums and palace complexes with priceless objects. If you can’t get a hotel reservation, check out the newly opened tourist center near Palace Square, which has wireless internet, overnight rooms, and an inexpensive cafe.
Nepal | Save on hotel reservations
2. Durbar Square (Kathmandu)
Durbar Square (Kathmandu) is a unique space in the capital with about fifty sites recognized as cultural and historical heritage of the country. The essential nuance - to see the archaeological sites, the tourist will have to pay an admission ticket valid for a day. Not all buildings have survived in good condition - largely due to the devastation caused by a strong earthquake in the thirties of the last century. The most interesting thing for travelers will be inside the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex; if you wish, you can see the city from a bird’s eye view by climbing the tower.
Official website: http://dbrevisited.weebly
3. Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley is a widely known attraction in Nepal, attracting a huge number of historical and archaeological monuments (the total number exceeds 130 sites). During a tour or on your own visit, you can see the structures built in the first century, as well as examine the decoration of temples, which are considered sacred to the followers of Hinduism and Buddhism.
4. Lumbini
Lumbini is a popular place among Buddhists - this is where, if ancient traditions are to be believed, Shakyamuni Buddha was born. Keep in mind that pilgrims and ordinary tourists constantly come here, so be prepared for a large number of people around. However, the size of the complex allows you to enjoy a tour of the stupa, temple buildings and monasteries. The list of major attractions in Nepal includes the Maya Devi temple with the nearby column of the ruler Ashoka - it is worth getting to it.
5. The Ancient City of Patan (Lalitpur)
The ancient city of Patan (Lalitpur) is now practically part of Kathmandu, which used to be a separate settlement with temples of various divine entities. A visit to a real Buddhist monastery will be very interesting, especially since it was here that the coronation of Nepalese rulers once took place. Other popular attractions - souvenir shops and the zoo, where children will especially enjoy.
6. Pokhara city
The city of Pokhara is among the most populated cities in the country and is the starting point for travelers climbing to the peaks of the Himalayas. Visitors mainly spend their time on the shores of Lake Phewa, enjoying the amazing views, and in its surroundings, where there are hotels, cafes, restaurants and even a few nightclubs.
Official website: https://pokharamun.gov.np
7. Kanchenjunga mountain massif
The Kanchenjunga mountain range - includes five mountain peaks that form a natural border with neighboring India. For the first time Kanchenjunga managed to climb only in the fifties of last century, although attempts to do so were still in 1905. The massif is distinguished by a high level of climbing difficulty, so it is worth going here only for those who are professionally and not the first year of mountaineering.
Official website: https://www.summitpost.org
8. Mount Jomolungma (Everest)
Mount Jomolungma (Everest) is the mountain that has made Nepal a world-famous tourist destination. Having the highest elevation among the existing peaks, Everest attracts ordinary people and climbers with different levels of training. Due to weather conditions, it is best to climb the mountain in the fall and spring, and it is not necessary to reach the summit. There are special camps for less skilled travelers at 6.4 and 5.3 kilometers. While getting ready for the mountaineering you should take into account a considerable expenditure of money and time, because to get prepared for the ascent you are to spend at least 60 days.
9. Annapurna National Park
Annapurna National Park is the place to go in Nepal for anyone who loves mountains but is not necessarily an experienced mountaineer. The most interesting things about the park, which has been in operation since 1986, are the tracks, mountain scenery and sacred sites, some of which tourists are not allowed to enter. Professionals can climb Annapurna by first taking a training course and hiring a guide among the locals.
Official website: https://www.ntnc.org.np
10. Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National Park - covers an area of more than a thousand square kilometers and includes the world’s highest peak, Jomolungma. Tourists can communicate with representatives of the Sherpa people, and if you want - to hire them as guides for mountain climbing. It is also worth taking the time to get acquainted with the architecture and interior decoration, as well as the way of life of Tyangboche and other Buddhist monasteries located here.
11. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal’s attractions where you can not only have a fascinating leisure time, but also stay overnight. Special houses for several people are provided to accommodate travelers. Due to the large area of the park and the animals living outside the cages and cages, it is not possible to explore it on foot - you can choose a jeep as a means of transportation or take an unforgettable trip on an elephant. The park area is under the protection of the authorities, and to get to it from the capital, it is necessary to overcome the distance of two hundred kilometers. By the way, it was once here loved to hunt the local kings.
Official website: https://www.chitwannationalpark.gov.np
12. Dharahara (Bhimsen Tower)
Dharahara (Bhimsen Tower) is among the landmarks of Nepal that have been lost forever due to natural calamities. Built as early as the nineteenth century in the center of the capital, the structure used to consist of two towers, Bhimsen and Dharahara, each eleven stories high. They were used to detect enemies on the approaches to the city. Both structures have now been destroyed by major earthquakes in 1934 and 2015.
13. Swayambhunath Temple Center
The Swayambunath Temple Center is an important place for Buddhists on the edge of Kathmandu city limits, where visitors come for close contact with numerous monkeys, to see the main stupa with the same name and 365 steps, as well as to visit local monasteries and walk through the picturesque park area.
Official website: https://swayambhu.buddhism-foundation.org
14. Pashupatinath Temple
The Pashupatinath Temple is in the eastern part of Nepal’s largest metropolis and is a place of constant visit for followers of Hinduism. Many travelers from other countries also come here, curious to see real yogis and hermits living in numerous caves. The main tourist attraction is the main temple, where burial ceremonies for the dead take place. You can watch this action, but only from the other side of the river.
Official website: https://pashupatinathtemple.org
15. Kopan Monastery
Kopan Monastery is a wonderful choice of what to visit in Nepal to experience the positive effects of meditation firsthand. Kopan is where the Buddha is worshipped and is easily accessible by car or metropolitan public transportation. The monastery has been open for almost 50 years and anyone can enter for free. But you have to pay for Lamrim lessons and other teachings. Famous actors, musicians, athletes and politicians regularly come here to master some or other spiritual practices (many have their own personal tutors).
Official website: https://www.kopanmonastery.com
16. Bodnath Temple Center
The Bodnath Temple Center is a large area complex that has everything you need for an exciting experience for international visitors: souvenir stores, a mandala-shaped stupa in the central area, meditation schools, monasteries, and restaurants where you can taste traditional Nepali food.
Attractions of Nepal: what else to visit in Nepal
In addition to the listed sights of Nepal, there are a huge number of other places to take time to travelers. In our review, we will mention those that enjoy the greatest popularity, so that you can fully appreciate all the charms of a holiday in this striking country. Please note that most of them involve ordering guide in Nepal - this is due to the need to make arrangements for special transportation, rental of equipment, etc.
So, here are five more options for what to see in Nepal:
17. Kumari Ghar Temple (Temple of Goddess Kumari)
Kumari Ghar Temple (Temple of Goddess Kumari), erected three centuries ago to worship the human incarnation of Taleju. The place is unique because inside lives a girl who, through numerous tests, is chosen among hundreds of other members of the Shakya caste and worshipped as a goddess. It is considered unbelievable luck to see an earthly Kumari, so there are always people waiting near the windows for her to come out.
18. Lake Phewa (Feva)
Lake Phewa (Phewa) is a landmark in Nepal that is often visited by connoisseurs of natural wonders. The lake with fresh water is surrounded by mountain peaks, and in the middle is an island, where the boats go pilgrims and ordinary tourists who want to see with their own eyes the temple complex Bahari. If you look closely, you can see Annapurna in the clearest water in windless and sunny weather.
19. Mehendra Cave
Mehendra Cave, inside which thousands of bats have found shelter. If you are not afraid of these animals, armed with a lantern and a guide, you can go inside to admire the unusual stalactites. Many of them resemble Shiva, one of the most revered Hindu deities. If you have claustrophobia or a fear of the dark, you might want to consider other options for what to see in Nepal.
20. Rafting in Nepal
Rafting in Nepal is an activity that will give a feast of positive emotions, because the local rivers are quite rough and have many rapids. There are many rivers in the Himalayas suitable for rafting, including those that will surprise professionals in the sport. Decide where to raft, you need to take into account your training and the desire to take children on rafting. Of the difficult trails popular San Kosi, Trisuli is suitable for families, and the universal choice for beginners is Bhote Kosi.
21. Treks in the Mountains of Nepal
Treks in the mountains of Nepal - are attracting more and more connoisseurs of hiking due to the availability of routes of varying difficulty, including to the foot of Mount Everest and other peaks. To get to the base camps at a decent altitude is not for everyone, but there are much easier trails, which can be done even by a person without special training.
As we see, there are a lot of sights in Nepal, so with the drawing up of the route will not have any problems, no matter how many days you come. Do not forget to check the weather forecast beforehand, because, for example, in the rainy season to see the interesting places is not so pleasant. A good option is to look through descriptions, photos and reviews of the main attractions and order excursions in Nepal in advance. In this case, you do not have to spend extra time during the trip.
Those who go with children and choose what to see in Nepal, it makes sense to combine a quiet and active holiday, so that the kids are not too tired. And finally, one more recommendation for tourists going on a trip: follow the safety precautions during your stay in the mountainous areas, so as not to be injured and not to get lost. Read also about Brunei attractions and plan your next trip to Asia!
