Bodhnath Stupa, Kathmandu

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If you are stuck in Kathmandu for an extended period, really anything more than three days in that horrible place wold be extended, this place is almost a necessity. No cars are allowed, which will be a very huge benefit, you will realize why once you spend a couple hours dodging cars, of course in a lawless country such as Nepal rules are meant to be broken, but this rule is mostly followed. DON'T PAY TO ENTER!! There is a small alley way just to the east of the main entrance, this is the local entrance, you will pass some small shops and wind around to the left and enter in to Boudha without paying, especially nice if you are staying at a hotel that you have to enter through Boudha.

If you are looking to book a hotel in Kathmandu, my first advice is don't go there (Kathmandu), but if you won't listen to reason, and you don't want to pay western prices at the Hyatt down the road from Boudha, stay at the Mandala hotel just of the brick road surrounding the Stupa, after staying with a host family this place felt like a 10 star hotel. They hve hot water, TV, real beds and clean rooms. I think it cost around 20 USD per night.

There are tons of restaurants around Boudha, one of our favorites was Flavors, pretty good prices, pretty good food (let's face it, most of the food you get there is going to suck, there is only one meal that was actually good, and that was the Shahi Paneer at Weizen German Bakery in Thamel.), dont bother with the desserts though, they look great, but they are gross.

Make sure you go out and explore the allies surrounding Boudha, you will see some small sweatshops where the locals are pounding out all the little tin trinkets that are sold in all the shops.

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Bouddhanath lies about 6kms to the east of the centre of Kathmandu and is the largest stupa in the valley. At 36km high it is one of the largest stupas and is in the heart of Nepal's Tibetan population. Bouddhanath is also a world heritage site and is 50rs to enter (although we found a way around this by finding another entrance).

There are more than 45 buddhist monasteries in the area around Bouddhanath.

A very impressive particular in Bodhanth is his huge “rign bell”.
At the entrace, on the right side there is a small room where some monks are taking care of it. They will be very proud to show you all and try to explain you the meaning of it!
It is an amazing activity and an amazing sight!

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This small town located eastern of Kathmandu (6 kms from Thamel) is a religious center for the large amount of Tibetan exiles. The main feature of the village is the amazing Boudhnath Stupa, the largest and holiest in Nepal. The stupa was built in the 9th century, so most of the village was constructed around it. It´s impressing the view of hundreds of people doing Kora, wich consists in walking and praying around the stupa.

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This monastery is very near to Bodhnath Stupa and 10 mins drive from Hyatt Hotel. It's a very beautiful monastery. You can visit this monastery after visiting Bodnath Stupa. There are very many beautiful and spectacular paintings on the walls of the monastery.

Khawalung Monastery was founded by Lama Jigme Korjee. It was consecrated blessed by H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche, H.E. Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and many Rinpoches and Yogi Masters. The monastery includes an elementary school, a training school for rites and rituals, Buddhist studies and retreat. It consists of more than 8 teachers and 40 monks from very remote region of Nepal and Tibet. One of its objectives is to preserve the treasure teachings of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

This picture is taken from the backside of Pashupathinath. We walk from here till the streets of Katmandu to the stupa of Bodnath. It was a nice and easy walk trough nice streets en neighbourhoods.

Bodnath is located 8km east of Kathmandu near Pashupatinath. It is a buddhist sanctuary which for long belonged to the Tibetan world. The village is mainly inhabited by tibetan refugees who left Tibet after the Chinese invasion.

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Set on the Kathmandu-Lassa route, about 5 kilometers northeast of downtwon Kathmandu, this is the biggest, most auspicious Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. One of the world's largest stupas, Boudhanath is generaly aknowledged to be the most important temple outside Tibet having become very importante for tibetan exiles in Nepal since 1959.
Early mornings and dusk are the best times to be here, when the chanting of the monks drifts from the upper rooms of the houses that ring the Stupa and pilgrims fermorm "Kora", shuffling and prostrating their way around the dome.
The Buddha's serching blue eyes are painted on the four sides of the central spire and, above them, the 13 golden steps that lead to Nirvana.