Bhaktapur, Nepal

Baktapur is the most beautiful I view all over the Nepal.
Baktapur, like Bagdaon, means "the city of devotees". It was built in IX century by king Ananda Malla. After, it became one of the three capitals of Kathmandu valley, togheter with Kathmandu and Patan.
Baktapur Durbar Square is one of the seven world heritage sites all over the Kathmandu valley.

Bhaktapur is an ancient city founded by King Ananda Deva in 889. It is situated only 15 kilometers east from Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,401 m, and covers an area of 6 square km. Bhaktapur or "the City of Devotees" has a medieval charm the ancient town has many cultural and artistic monuments. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries.

the potter's square is an area specially dedicated to the art of making pottery.. all round the square potters' wheel are spinning and balls of clay moulded into pots.. there are rows and rows of pots sitting out in the sun waiting to dry before being sold in the stalls all around bakhtapur.. a word of caution though, most of the pottery worker do not want their photographs taken unless they are paid.. :P

This is the best preseved place that we visited in our trip . The sky was cloudy but the atmosphere was magic. The temples,The royal palace ...and the whole town transported us to a very different world.

Bhaktapur is a UNESCO heritage site. A German-lead initiative back in the 70's helped restore some of the more dilapidated buildings including the stone and woodwork. The temples and old buildings impart a feeling of peacefulness. You feel as though you are transported back to medieval times. We had a colorful Nepalese guide, but honestly, you can grab your Lonely Planet book and catch a taxi to and from Bhaktapur. Once you're there, you're hoofing it.

Most of the tourist spots are about selling the same souvenirs.
Try to explore the country from the the streets and places not for tourists. I had more fun with locals.
I talked to women kniting in front of their houses, this old woman came and asked me to take a picture of her....

The Bhimsen Temple in Bhaktapur is a large and active Hindu temple. I was there during a festival so there were many yogis and people around; it was quite an experience. The temple itself is only accessible to Hindus, but the area around the temple is open to everyone. The Bhimsen Mandir is located in the local area of Bhaktapur and is a great way to explore the culture of this "walled" city.

Bhaktapur's Durbar Square is the political center of the city. Here is where the local government is located, as well as some cool temples and architecture. Maoists and other political groups may hold protests here (as in my case), try not to get too evolved in Nepali politics, it's pretty messy.