Tibetan Handicraft Center
Built in the seventeenth century by King Siddhi Narasing Malla, the temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal . It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 shrines and is completely made of stone. Most of the important scenes from the ancient Hindu epics-the Ramayana and the Mahabharata,have been engraved on its friezes.
Patan Museum
Patan Museum at Patan Durbar Square specializes in bronze statues and ritual objects, some going back to the 11th century. Most of the statues are of Buddha, Bishnu, Lokeswar and Devi, covering both the Hindu and the Buddhist iconology. Open daily, except holidays, from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Bungmati
Bungmati- medieval village of Patan, still people live with their cattle. Place waiting for declaration of World Heritage Site because of traditional Newari life style. Visit the temple of Bunga Dyo, the god of harvest and the protector of kathmadu valley with beautiful wide ancient court yard.
Khokana
Khokana, another medieval Buddhist village of Patan, waiting for World Heritage Site declaration. Famous for mustard oil and medieval life stile, visit the temple of Kali, situated in the main court yard of the village. Getting women on cotton spin in their medieval spinning tools�for carpets and pull over.
HILL STATION NEAR KATHMANDU Nagarkot
Nagarkot is situated 32 krns east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 m above sea level. Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort of Nepal. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), can be seen from here (If weather permits). The Himalayan peaks Like Manaslu (8463 in). Ganesh Hinial (7111 in), Langtang(7246 in), Choba Bhanre(60l6 in), Gaurishanker (7134 m) and number (6957 in), are also clearly seen from Nagarkot). Overnight at Hotel in Nagarkot.
Daman
It is situated 80 kilometers south-west of Kathmandu , midway to Hetauda at an altitude of 2322m. Daman is located on the Tribhuvan Highway in between Kathmandu and the town of Birgunj. For the view of the breathtaking grandeur of the world's highest peaks extending in one glittering are from far-west of Dhaulagiri to far-east of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) there is no better place than Daman. There is a view tower fitted with long range telescopes. Daman is three hours by car.
Dhulukhel
A fascinating old Newar town at the foot of a nearby hill, some 32 kms east of Kathmandu. Many of the houses in the old part of the town suffered serious damage in an earthquake in 1934. For the most part they haven't been repaired and they're still lived in as damaged. Dhulikhel is rightly famous as a mountain viewpoint and for excellent day walks. At 1450 metres above sea level, it is a little cooler than Kathmandu but not as cold as Nagarkot. The Narayan and Harisiddhi temples in the old part of town are both beautifully adorned with intricate wood carvings. Because the tracks linking Dhulikhel with other towns are not paved but still well defined, this town would be an excellent place to spend a few days mountain cycling.
Namobuddha Stupa
Is among the most photogenic in the country. A mountain biking trip is ideal as the road leading to it has been excitingly furrowed by huge tractors. Take the Arniko highway and go through Dhulikhel on the way up, but return through the town of Panauti.
Panauti
It is a thriving village of the road to Dhulikhel, with some very lovely temples and interesting old houses, particularly beautiful area some fourteenth century wooden temple struts. The drive is through beautiful countryside. Panauti is the Ancient Newari township, rich in historical , religious and architectural significance lies a pleasant one hour�s drive away, just 35 Kilometers south-east of Kathmandu. Established more than 14 centuries ago. Panauti is still one of the few genuine Newari villages that has withstood the ravages of time and the onslaught of modernization. Some effects of the modernization process is unfortunately quite in evidence. But what effect time and nature have had on the many religious sculptures and historical artifacts has been negated by the ongoing restoration and renovation works situated along the Arniko Highway, in close proximity to the more popular tourist spots such as Dhulikhel., Namo Baudha, Palanchok Bhagawati , Phulchoki and others Panauti is mentioned in only a few travel brochures as an en-rout station on the itinerary of hikers and trekkers.
OUT SIDE KATHMANDU VALLEY : .MANAKAMANA.
The temple of Manakamana lies atop a 1,302-m hill. The deity is one of the manifestations of the Hindu Goddess Bhagawati who is believed to have the power to full fill wishes. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Nepal .
Manakamana is situated 125 km to the west of Kathmandu . It is a steep three-hour hike to the hilltop from Abu Khaireni on the Kathmandu-Gorkha Highway. Or you can take the cable car at Cheres, 104 km from Kathmandu on the highway to Pokhara. Package tours are available, and you can be back the same day. There are hotels at Manakamana if you want to stay the night.
GORKHA
T he legendary Kingdom of Gorkha army. The ancestral home of the Shah dynasty which rules Nepal today. It is from here that King Prithibi Narayan Shah started his conquest of the country's various tiny kingdoms and unified them into a single nation, Nepal. Gorkha bazaar, the palace dominates the surroundings and is visible from all around the area. Gorkha, situated at 140km west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,135 meter, is the ancestral hometown of the Nepal's ruling royal family. Gorkha is only 18 km up a paved road of the Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway. A brief visit on the way to or from Pokhara would provide more insights into Nepal than one is likely to get at lakeside in Pokhara.
Gorkha's small town is perhaps the most important historical town of Nepal . From its hilltop fortess, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the ninth generation paternal ancestor of the present King, launched his lifelong attempt to unify the independent states of Nepal , a wildly ambitious project which succeeded due to his brilliance, and the effectiveness of his locally recruited troops. The British term "Gurkha" evolved from the name Gorkha, referring to the famed fighting soldiers of the region. Gorkha's centerpiece is the magnificent Gorkha Durbar with a fort, a palace and a temple with excellent views of the surrounding valleys, and the Mansalu range.
Gorkha Bazaar
Gorkha Bazaar is primarily a cobbled street market place where by people from neighboring hill dwellings come to trade. There are a few temples near about, but not much. Yet, it is worth a visit as it provides a very good vista of the quiet charm that soaks a typical hill village of Nepal .
Gorkha Durbar
Gorkha Durbar is the main attraction of Gorkha, an hour steep walk up a hill from the bazaar area. It used to be the dwelling of King Prithvi Narayan and his ancestors. The Durbar itself is a humble, yet quite impressive, complex of a temple, fort, and a palace built in the Newar style of Kathmandu . The view of the Himalayan range and the deep valleys from up there is quite breathtaking.
Gorakhnath Cave
Gorakhnath Cave, ten meters below the palace's southern side, is the sacred cave temple of Gorkhanath . The cave is is carved out of the solid rock and is among the most important religious sites for mainstream Brahmins and Chhetris of Nepal
POKHARA ( WEST OF KTM 200 KM )
Pokhara is famous for a clean water lakes, seti rivers with subline natural beauty and Himalayan views. It is the gateway to Nepal �s West. Many of nepals most diverse and interesting treks and rafting experiences are on the doorstep of pokhara. From here Annapurna Mustang, Manaslu, Chitwan, Dolpa, Jumla, Humla the holy mountains of mt Kailash, lumbini, Tansen, and Gorkha are all within easy reach. Pokhara is the placed to relax in Nepal . The famous places of pokhara are phewa Tal, Rupa Tal, Begnas tal, Patale Chhango, Davids falls, Mahendra Cave, Seti River, Ram ghat, Bindhyabasini Temple, Buddhist Monastery Mahendra Pul The ACAP Natural History Museum, Lumle, chandrakhot, Kaskikhot, Dampus, Sarankot, Tulakot, Kahun Danda and world peace Pagada. Most of the tourist visit pokhara every year. It is busy tourist area. Oct � March is a best time to visit here.
Mountain views
Clearly the most stunning of Pokhara's sights is the spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range which forms its backdrop. The Annapurna massif includes Annapurna I to IV and Annapur-na South. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I (8,091 m), it is Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) which dominates all others in this area.
Phewa Lake
Phewa Lake , the second largest lake in the Kingdom roughly measuring 1.5 by 4 km, is the center of all attractions in Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of the resort town. The eastern shore, popularly known as Lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite home base for travellers and is where most of the hotels, restaurants and handicraft shops are located.
