Bhaktapur, Nepal

No visit to Nepal is complete without seeing Bhaktapur
It is a World Heritage sight and now costs $10 per person to visit.
Well worth a visit for the architecture alone as Bhaktapur has more temples per square foot than Patan or Kathmandu and is far enough out of town to keep the crowds away. As a World Heritage site listed by the UNESCO, Bhaktapur has been heavily restored since a 1934 earthquake severely damaged the city.

Kathmandu (Thamel) to Bhaktapur is about 16.5k – maybe 45 minutes in a taxi or just over an hour in a local bus.

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Bhaktapur is the third largest city in the Kathmandu valley. The city was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom from the 12th to the 15th century.

Four square miles of land situated at an altitude of 1,401 meter from sea-level is a home to Traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, rich local customs and culture, and the every-day life of Bhaktapur people. All that and more will have you visit this untouched ancient city more than once! Nepal's Malla dynasty's achievements in arts and crafts are reflected throughout the Bhaktapur city. Bhaktapur is also known by woodcarving artists, for it's cap known as Bhadgaon Topi, and for it's curd known by Nepalese as the `Bhaktapur ko Dahe' (meaning Curd made in Bhaktapur). Tourists visiting the city also take the time to relax and observe other interesting happenings in the city such as children's playing outside their home and in temple yards, busy and color-full open markets, women's making clay-pots, weaving, and sun-drying crops and vegetable products. Bhaktapur is located at 14 km east of Kathmandu and can be reached by public transport. A day-trip to Bhaktapur is a popular tourist itinerary, so make it yours soon!.

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This city is located 14 km east of Kathmandu. It was an art center and its Durbar Square is an architectural masterpiece with the 55-window palace, golden gate and the temples. The palace was built in 17th century. The royal bath in the palace is stunning with naga decorations. You must see the golden gate and statues.
We had lunch by the Nayatpol Temple. This temple is one of the tallest buildings here. On the stairs to its door there are some statues of certain creatures. They are placed from bottom to up by their degree of power.
There are several tea and souvenir shops here. Also lots of women sell pashminas, small bags etc.

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It is just 12 kilometers east of Kathmandu, but gives the feeling of being in a different time - traditional homes, lifestyles and environment all seem from a different era.
Bhaktapur is an ancient city and is renowned for its elegant art, culture, colourful festivals and indigenous lifestyle of Newari community. Bhaktapur is also knows as “City of Culture”.
Bhaktapur has more temples per square foot than Patan or Kathmandu. Although we were initially pestered by a few young guys who were very persistent to act as our guide, it is less crowded and busy than Kathmandu. It is especially the amazing Durbar Square which you have to see! It is an UNESCO World Heritage site.
Bhaktapur has been very well restored since a 1934 earthquake severely damaged the city. To further restoration and preservation there is an entrance fee of Rs 750 for visitors (Dec 2008).
The best way of exploring Bhaktapur is by foot. There are no rickshaws or taxis allowed inside the city, which makes the air less polluted and creates a relaxed and quiet atmosphere.

Pretty self explanatory really. This is a square where they make pots. There is lots of activity going on with people threshing hay to provide fuel for the kils and pots arranged to cool down from firing. The clay soils around here lend themselves to pottery and outside the town there are lots of brick kilns.

Its just one of the examples of a medieval way of life you will see in Bhaktapur

The Peacock Window, which is also called the "Mona Lisa of Nepal", is a rare masterpiece in wood. Dating back to the early 15th century, the unique latticed window has an intricately carved peacock in its center. Its an excellent example of wooden fretwork that you see all over the Kathmandu valley.

The window adorns the Pujari Math which, with rows of exquisitely carved windows and doors, is equally appealing. The building presently houses the Woodcarving Museum. The museum has a rich collection of unique pieces in wood.

Its just off Dattatraya Square. The very nice man in the gift shop opposite will let you go to the first floor of his shop to get a better photo of the window "with no obligation to buy" but will do his hardest to sell you something on the way out!

The five-storeyed temple is an impressive and famous temple of Nepal, standing in the northern side of Taumadhi square in Bhaktapur. This is about 2 mins walk from the south east corner of Durbar Square.

This is the only temple that is named after the type of architecture rather than from the name of the deity residing inside. This is the temple of Goddess Siddhi Laxmi and the God Bhaiabnath.

The temple was built within a short period of less than five months by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1701/1702 A.D.

Bhaktapur is a bit of a gem!

If you like Kathmandu then this is better. Its an easy day trip taking only about half an hour by Taxi. Its much less crowded than Kathmandu and they have banned traffic from the main squares which makes in much quieter. Its one of 3 cities in the Kathmandu valley that was once the capital of Nepal (the other is Patan) and is the smaller of the 3 cities.

Bhaktapur's main square, Durbar Square, houses the 55-window Palace which was constructed by King Bhupatindra Malla and was home to royalty until 1769. It is now a National Gallery.

Close by is the Golden Gate which leads into Mulchok Court which is home to the Taleju Temple. This temple, like others in the main towns of the Kathmandu valley, is dedicated to the goddess Taleju Bhawani and includes shrines to the both Taleju Bhawani and Kumari. Entrance to the temple is restricted to Hindus and the goddess strictly cannot be photographed.

Like Kathmandu the place has a medieval quality about it. Life is lived on the street and there is always something fascinating going on.

There are also lots of handicraft shops to browse around if you get templed out and some good and cheap restaurants.

Its worth hiring a guide to tell you about the place. Most likely they will find you when you pay at the entrance booth. Most are young, speak very good English and are very interesting to talk to about life in Nepal.