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Are you looking to travel to Nepal? Then, here is a list of some beautiful places to visit in Nepal. It is a landlocked or noncoastal country; in other words, it is situated between India and China in South Asia. The nearest sea access is 644 kilometres (400 miles) southeast of the Indian Ocean’s Bay of Bengal. The country is rich in history and its unique culture.
Nepal is home to many beautiful parks, temples, and shrines. The country also occupies great places to see some of the world’s tallest mountains and most beautiful lakes and rivers. On the other hand, the temples of Nepal are also great places to visit. Many, many sacred and holy places around Nepal are worth visiting.
Here is a list of places worth visiting for first-time travellers in Nepal.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is a place of religious importance and a tourist hub. Travellers visiting Nepal by air route will spend at least 2 nights in Kathmandu, as the only international airport – Tribhuvan International Airport exists. Kathmandu occupies many historical and religious sites, and they are listed among the world’s cultural heritage sites. The religious architecture of Kathmandu is particularly well-known. Various temples, monasteries, and stupas decorate the city’s scenery.
In addition, Kathmandu is a bustling metropolis of more than 5 million people – with a mash-up of tourist stores, trekking outfitters, hotels, restaurants, religious sites, and many more.
The historic Buddhist complex of Swayambhunath is on a wooded hill with panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley. It is a must-see. In addition, the Garden of Dream is another popular destination among tourists.
Boudhanath Stupa
The Boudhanath Stupa is the world’s largest stupa in the world. It is located around Kathmandu- just a few kilometres from the Kathmandu City Centre – and 2 km from the airport. Therefore, it is considered the best place to visit in Nepal. Furthermore, it is a representation of enlightenment as supposed by many, with each of the five elements representing one of the five Buddhas. The harmony between these elements means the universe’s structure abstractly. As a result, this stupa is a great way to discover history when you travel to Nepal.
Furthermore, Boudhanath is one of Nepal’s most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The site houses a massive stupa widely recognized for its architectural beauty and religious significance. Boudhanath is also home to shops selling Everything from local handicrafts to branded merchandise. It is a magnificent and fascinating place. Both domestic and foreign tourists are very attracted towards this place.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Swayambhunath, located on a hilltop west of Kathmandu, is the second-most important Buddhist shrine in the Kathmandu Valley after Boudhanath. It is also called the Monkey Temple.
The main attraction at Swayambhunath is the Swayambhu Stupa. It has eyes symbolizing the all-seeing nature of Buddha. The temple complex dates back to the 5th century AD. Therefore, it is believed that people have been worshipping this site for thousands of years.
Swayamhu is very important to Vajrayana Buddhists in northern Nepal and Tibet, especially Newari Buddhists in the Kathmandu Valley. It is one of the unique visits if you travel to Nepal.
Pashupatinath Temple
Situated in western Kathmandu by the Bagmati River, the Pashupatinath Temple is known for its intricate pagoda-style construction and copper and gold coating. The temple, built at the beginning of the 17th century, is one of the oldest in Kathmandu and the holiest place to explore if you travel to Nepal.
Pashupati, an avatar of Shiva, is worshipped at the temple. Only those of South Asian Hindu heritage can go inside the three gates; the western gate is the only one that remains open to visitors.
Visit this incredible temple if you want to visit Nepal and explore its rich culture and history.
Bhaktapur, Nepal’s most beautiful place
Bhaktapur is one of the most beautiful places in Kathmandu, Nepal. Its location along the former trade route to Tibet was an essential source of prosperity for Bhaktapur. Due to its relative isolation, the city developed independently and in ways that set it apart from the other two cities at the time. It is known as the “City of Devotees” due to the shrines and temples in this place.
Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square, also known as the “noble court,” is a great place to explore. The National Art Gallery is at 55-Window Palace, a 15th-century building on Durbar Square. Bhaktapur is also suitable for walking, making exploring its winding streets and old squares fun.
Patan
Patan is located across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu and is renowned for its artisans and breathtaking examples of Newari architecture. The courtyards and temples of the Patan Durbar, constructed in the 17th century, are the city’s top sights. It is the ideal place to visit if you travel to Nepal.
The Krishna Temple in Patan is an imposing structure with a multi-columned facade and gilded spires. The Sundari Chowk, a courtyard with an intricately carved sunken bath as its focal point, is also an impressive sight. Patan is one of Nepal’s best places to get handmade silk saris, formerly the preferred clothing for the nation’s kings and aristocracy.
Places of travellers’ interest, out of Kathmandu
Pokhara
Pokhara is a favourite destination for visitors travelling to Nepal from all over the globe because of its serene lakes, grassy shorelines, and mountain views. It is also known as the ‘lake city’ in northwest Nepal and is the entrance to the Annapurna region trek. Therefore, it is a good place for tired hikers to rest after hiking to Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp.
Phewa Lake, Pokhara’s largest lake, is encircled by luxurious hotels, restaurants, cafes, and stores. The goddess Barahi Bhagwati has a shrine on an island in the lake where they perform the rituals most weekends. Places worth visiting for day tours in Pokhara are boating at Fewa Lake and visiting the Barahi temple in the middle of the lake. Similarly, travellers can visit World’s Peace Stupa, the white stupa on the hillside across the Fewa Lake. The other places in Pokhara are David’s Fall, Guptseshowri Cave, and Mountain Museum.
Chitwan National Park
The Chitwan National Park in south-central Nepal is a place in Asia to see wildlife and provides shelter for rare and endangered animals such as the Bengal tiger and one-horned rhinoceros.
The park’s main attraction is getting up close with animals like elephants, leopards, Indian bison, rhinoceroses, and sloth bears. Visitors can explore the park via jungle walks and elephant rides (though Nepal Hiking doesn’t encourage travellers to elephant riding, considering animal rights!). In addition to elephant riding, visitors can join for canoe excursions and jeep driving tours.
The park also offers accommodations from standard to deluxe hotels on its edge, while the adjoining community of Sauraha has more modest lodging options. It is one of the most incredible parks if you think of it when you travel to Nepal.
Bardia National Park
Bardiya National Park is a popular destination for tourists wanting to see Bengal tigers, rhinoceroses, crocodiles, etc., in their natural habitat. A 968-square-kilometre park is also a great place for bird lovers, as it is a dwelling to more than 400 different species that live there or pass through from time to time.
The park is located in the northwest region of Nepal, near the border with India. This region has river basins, vast grasslands, and tropical forests.
The Sal tree is the dominant type of tree in the national park. If you want to explore and experience nature at its best, keep the Bardiya National Park on your bucket list when preparing to travel to Nepal.
Lumbini
Lumbini is a small town located south of Nepal, about 285 kilometres from Kathmandu. It is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha Shakyamuni. Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many Buddhist pilgrims worldwide come to retrace Buddha’s steps through his life’s stations.
The Maya Devi Temple is the most popular attraction in Lumbini. It is devoted to the mother of the Buddha. It houses a stone relief from the second century AD that depicts the birth of Buddha.
Annapurna Hike
The Annapurna Circuit lies northwest of Nepal. It is one of Nepal’s best and most popular treks and is well-known among adventure travellers worldwide. Moreover, it is one of Nepal’s most beautiful places to visit. The traditional three-week journey takes visitors deep into the Himalayas, past stunning landscapes, including deep gorges, barren plateaus, and lush subtropical valleys. Along the way, hikers will also have the opportunity to see several Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries and charming villages.
The route starts just east of Pokhara, and there is also the option to fly out of Jomsom Airport after completing half of the trek. There is also the 8–12-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek for those looking for a less strenuous adventure. No matter- it’s your choice, you will surely fall in love with Nepal’s natural beauty. It is one of the most gorgeous places to travel in Nepal.
Below are nine reasons why you should travel to Nepal
1) To see the world’s tallest mountains.
2) To experience genuine Nepali hospitality.
3) To adventure in one of the world’s most popular trekking destinations.
4) To marvel at Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and temples.
5) To get up close and personal with endangered wildlife species.
6) Explore picturesque lakes, villages, and waterfalls hidden in the mountains.
7) Participate in adrenaline-pumping activities like rafting, bungee jumping, and paragliding.
8) To shop for traditional Nepali handicrafts and souvenirs.
9) To enjoy delicious Nepali food made with fresh local ingredients.
To get a deep insight into Nepal’s geographical and demography information, the blog Where is Nepal? | Location of Nepal | Everything you need to know about Nepal may be helpful. Please check it out!
Conclusion
Nepal is the best travel destination in the world. There are a variety of choices for tourism activities in Nepal. So, first, decide for yourself to travel to Nepal. Then, for your perfect holiday, contact a locally based tour agency in Kathmandu, for instance, NepalHiking.com. They happily tailor a holiday tour package to meet your needs and interests.
Since 2003, the expert team at Nepal Hiking has been offering breathtaking and amazing adventures! They offer various services, including trekking, climbing, cultural tours and any holiday tour package. Plus, they can customize any package to fit your needs and budget. So, contact them to start planning your dream holiday in Nepal!