The roof of the world and land of Shangri-La. Nepal, the legendary mountain kingdom of the Himalayas very small in size but can proudly boast of variety of things found nowhere else in the world. The small area of Nepal holds a considerably high number of places recognized by UNESCO as "World Heritage Sites". There are all together ten World Heritage Sites in Nepal, seven of which are in Kathmandu itself.

Kathmandu's Durbar Square was built primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries. Like Nepal's other Durbar Squares, it contains a royal palace (a "durbar") and many temples built in a traditional Newar, pagoda style.

The glory days of ancient Patan, however, still survive in its Durbar Square, home to the royal palace ("durbar") and many other temples and shrines. Patan's Durbar Square strikes many as more refined than Kathmandu's or Bhaktapur's, possibly because its development was frozen by the 18th century when Patan lost its status as an independent capital. The stone Krishna Mandir (Temple) and the octagonal Chyasin Dewal (another temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Krishna) are particularly fine example of the ancient architecture.

Founded in the 9th century, the city of Bhaktapur (also known as Bhadguan or Bhadgaon) has a tradition as the "City of Devotees" and once ruled over all of Nepal. Bhaktapur has a well-preserved (and restored) Durbar Square that contains a royal palace ("durbar") and other temples. Bhaktapur has many fine examples of Newar carvings, statues and metalwork.

Swayambunath Stupa is the Valley's most important Buddhist shrine and the earliest record of this stupa's existence dates from a 5th-century stone inscription; Swayambunath is also known as the Monkey Temple, and as you start up the hill, you will likely begin to see the monkeys that lend the stupa this alternate name, Monkey TempleE

On the east side of Kathmandu, stands Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal. Since the Chinese invaded Tibet in the late 1950s, Boudhanath has become an important center for Tibetan Buddhist studies. There are now numerous monasteries surrounding the stupa, and it is worthwhile to wander the back streets around the stupa peeking in at the various monasteries.

From the stupa, there are ways to various Buddhist Monastery. These are one of the most thriving Tibetan Buddhist monasteries anywhere with its flourishing monastic college, traditional arts and painting school, and rich contemplative atmosphere.

Pashupatinath Temple area is UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple of Pashupatinath is 5 Km east of Kathmandu. Pashupatinath is one of the holiest places in Hindu Kingdom of Nepal. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu from all over World make Pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri (Night of Shiva, one day before black moon in February). There are many temples of various Hindu Gods in the holy site. Guheswori temple is the most important among other temples. A walk from this temple to Aryaghat near Pashupatinath temple is very popular among non-Hindu tourists.

The temple is sitting on the hillock called Changu - the name derived from the name of the god. Around the temple you will see the stone image of Garuda - the half bird half-man that is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu - another name of Changunarayan.

The superb image of Lord Vishnu astride the Garuda to the left of the main temple door is of such importance in the Nepal's art history that it is featured on the ten rupee note. The temple of Changunarayan is one of the Kathmandu Valley's oldest temples and World Heritage Sites too.

Siddhartha Gautama was born in 623 BC at the famous gardens of Lumbini, and his birthplace became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian Emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage center, of which the remains associated with its early history and the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature.

Sagarmatha is an exceptional area with dramatic mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world (8,882 metres). The park shelters several rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda. The presence of the Sherpas, with their unique culture, add further interest to this site. Read More...

At the foot of the Himalayas, Chitwan is one of the few undisturbed areas of the Terai region which formerly extended over the foothills of India and Nepal, with its very rich flora and fauna. One of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros lives in the park, which is also among the last refuges for the Bengal tiger. Read More...