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Kathmandu

2025 Kathmandu Travel Guide: Weather, Transportation, Popular Attractions, and Everything You Need (Updated 2025 4)

About Kathmandu

Recommended trip: 3–5 day(s)

Recommended trip: 3–5 day(s)

Current Weather Conditions

26°C

Kathmandu Local Experiences Map

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Things to do in Kathmandu

What to Do

Looking for things to do in Kathmandu? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.
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Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square

4.6/5558 Review
"Historic buildings"
Buddha Stupa

Buddha Stupa

4.5/5290 Review
"Historic buildings"
Swoyambhu Mahachaitya

Swoyambhu Mahachaitya

4.6/5298 Review
"Historic buildings"
Thamel

Thamel

4.5/5416 Review
Kumari Chowk

Kumari Chowk

4.0/526 Review
"Historic buildings"
Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple

4.4/557 Review
"Historic buildings"

Where to Stay

Discover the most popular places to stay in Kathmandu, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers
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What to Eat

Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Kathmandu dishes and foodie spots.
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Krishnarpan

Krishnarpan

5.0/52 Review
Avg. USD50/person
"Asian Cuisine"
Bhojan Griha

Bhojan Griha

4.4/57 Review
Avg. USD18/person
"Vegetarian"
Mo:Mo Star

Mo:Mo Star

4.4/59 Review
Avg. USD3/person
"Asian Cuisine"
Thakali Bhanchha Ghar

Thakali Bhanchha Ghar

4.0/58 Review
Avg. USD7/person
"Asian Cuisine"
Himalayan Java Coffee

Himalayan Java Coffee

4.8/57 Review
Avg. USD13/person
"Western-style"
"Terrace"
Utsav Restaurant

Utsav Restaurant

5.0/52 Review
Avg. USD14/person
"Asian Cuisine"
Third Eye Restaurant- Best Indian Restaurant

Third Eye Restaurant- Best Indian Restaurant

4.5/58 Review
Avg. USD13/person
"Southeast Asian"
Edamame

Edamame

5.0/51 Review
Avg. USD30/person
"Asian Cuisine"
Fire And Ice Pizzeria

Fire And Ice Pizzeria

4.1/57 Review
Avg. USD5/person
"Western-style"
OR2K

OR2K

4.8/55 Review
Avg. USD6/person
"Southeast Asian"
"Terrace"
Helena's

Helena's

4.5/52 Review
Avg. USD3/person
"Southeast Asian"
"View"
Kumari Restaurant

Kumari Restaurant

5.0/51 Review
Avg. USD6/person
"Buffets"

Kathmandu Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes

Post
#Recommended
#nepal
#kathmandu
#travel
Should I tell you about my trip to Nepal?

Should I tell you about my trip to Nepal?

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🌟 Kathmandu's Top Stays: 4-Star Comfort & Culture 🏨✨

🌟 Kathmandu's Top Stays: 4-Star Comfort & Culture 🏨✨

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7-Day Nepal Tour: This Guide Has Everything You Need

7-Day Nepal Tour: This Guide Has Everything You Need

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8-Day Nepal In-Depth Travel Guide

8-Day Nepal In-Depth Travel Guide

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The most aesthetic cafe in Kathmandu | Masala Beads Cafe
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The most aesthetic cafe in Kathmandu | Masala Beads Cafe

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7-Day Nepal Tour: Exotic Winter Charms

7-Day Nepal Tour: Exotic Winter Charms

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🌟 Unmissable Kathmandu Stays: Top Picks for Every Traveler 🏨✨

🌟 Unmissable Kathmandu Stays: Top Picks for Every Traveler 🏨✨

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The most popular hostel in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The most popular hostel in Kathmandu, Nepal.

lightendevoted
lightendevoted
12
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What People Are Saying About Kathmandu

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Kathmandu Durbar Square

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Tuhin007
Kathmandu Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing Nepal’s rich history and architecture. Highlights include the Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar, and the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Despite earthquake damage, restoration efforts have preserved its cultural significance.

Buddha Stupa

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郭润龙浪迹天涯
20240615 AM: 1. Boudhanath Stupa is a landmark building in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is the world's largest round stupa and one of the world cultural heritage sites. It is 38 meters high and 100 meters in diameter. It is said to have been built by King Shiva Deva of the Lichavi Dynasty in the 6th century BC. It is a cultural relic of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal and an important spiritual totem of Mahayana Buddhists. It is said that there are relics of Kasyapa Buddha in the stupa, which is an important spiritual totem in Mahayana Buddhism. Because the top of the stupa is painted with wisdom eyes, it is also called the Big Eyes Stupa. It is also said that when the stupa was built, it was a drought, and the craftsmen took dewdrops and mud, so it is also called the Dewdrop Stupa. During the worship season, Buddhists from Bhutan, Sikkim, and Tibet in my country will gather here to worship, so Chinese signs are often seen. The scenic area is divided into three major parts: the stupa, the Padmasambhava Temple, and the shop area. It is a good place for sightseeing photography, humanities learning, worshiping Buddha, shopping, and parent-child strolls. When praying around the pagoda, you need to go around it three times in a clockwise direction. ①Address: Circle Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Nepal ②Transportation: Direct bus access, difficult to park by car ③Peak season: None ④Time: 2 hours ⑤Ticket price: 400 rupees (22.2 yuan) 2. The Great Pagoda consists of four-story pagoda base and five-story pagoda body, specifically: ①The first floor of the pagoda base: There are small Buddhist niches, prayer wheels, bells and other Buddhist instruments between the entrances and exits ②The second floor of the pagoda base: There is an incense burner standing at the worship area in front of the pagoda, which looks very much like the pagoda in Tibetan Buddhism (the instrument for storing the corpse of a monk). You need to take off your shoes on this floor, as the ground may be hot in summer. You can also walk around the tower on this floor, and enjoy the street view under the tower ③ The third and fourth floors of the tower base: It is forbidden to go up, and these two floors are blank and have no scenery ④ The four corners of the tower courtyard: Because the tower courtyard wall is circular and the tower base is similar to a cross (12 corners), there are four open spaces in the first floor of the tower base, which are respectively equipped with a painting pool (a pool for painting the white tower body with paint, and a small statue stands on the wellhead next to it), green plants (2 places, the edge of the green plants in one place is surrounded by dense stainless steel small bowls, each bowl contains 2 flowers, orange and yellow; the other place has a small Buddha statue under the green plants), and a small tower ⑤ The first floor of the tower body: The semi-circular tower base represents water, and it is also said to be the womb that creates life. There are golden niches on all four sides, and the five Tathagatas are enshrined inside. The ground is a circle of prayer wheels, and visitors can turn it clockwise to pray for blessings ⑥ The second floor of the tower: a square structure, representing the earth, four squares are painted with a pair of eyebrows and eyes, called "wisdom eyes", symbolizing omniscience ⑦ The third floor of the tower: a triangular structure, representing fire, divided into 13 levels, with a decreasing cross-sectional area layer by layer, in a cone shape, symbolizing the thirteen positions of the Bodhisattva from cause to effect ⑧ The fourth floor of the tower: an umbrella-shaped structure, representing the wind, with a small bell hanging below, and a gentle breeze will make bursts of sound, symbolizing nirvana ⑨ The fifth floor of the tower: a spiral structure, representing the essence of life, composed of all things composed of water, earth, fire, and wind, called "the harmony of the four elements" in Buddhism ⑩ Colorful ribbons: multiple, connecting the top of the tower to the ground, shaped like colorful prayer flags, in the order of blue, white, red, green, and yellow... The number of words exceeds the limit, continue in the last picture

Swoyambhu Mahachaitya

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郭润龙浪迹天涯
20240615 afternoon: 1. Swayambun Temple (Swayambhunath Stupa) is a famous Buddhist temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. Because of the many wild monkeys in the temple, it is also called the Monkey Temple (Monkey Temple), also known as the Four Eyes Temple, it is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Asia with a 2,500-year-old world cultural heritage. It is an important spiritual totem of Mahayana Buddhism, and has a Hindu Buddha, is the only temple in the world where Buddhism and Hinduism coexist. The Buddha spires are full of incense, solemn and sacred, and the mountaintop has a wide view overlooking the panoramic view of Kathmandu. The scenic spot is divided into two large areas of the giant Sheli Tower and the mountaineering road. It is a good place for viewing photography, humanistic learning, worshiping Buddha, shopping, and walking the baby. Every year, there will be celebrations on the Buddha's birthday (April or May) and the Tibetan New Year (February or March). Due to the earthquake of April 25, 2015, Nepal, the ancient buildings were seriously damaged, and there are still buildings under repair. ① Address: Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Nepal Transportation: Direct bus access, difficult to stop driving ③ peak season: no ④ duration: 2 hours ⑤ fare: 200 rupees (11.1 yuan) 2. The giant Sheli Tower is the core building of the whole temple, mainly white, more than 40 meters high, the shape is very similar to the Bodaha Buddha Tower (Boudhanath Stupa), a total of five floors, Specifically: ① the first layer of the tower: semicircular structure tower, representing water, there is also a saying that the uterus that creates life, is embedded in the four sides with golden Buddha, and the internal supply is like a five-way. One circle on the ground is a prayer wheel. Visitors can turn 3 circles clockwise to pray for blessings. The second layer of the tower body: square structure, representing the land, four squares with 1 eyebrows, known as "eyes", symbolizing the three layers of the tower body: triangular structure, representing fire, divided into 13 levels, the cross-sectional area is decreasing. Cone-shaped, symbolizing the 13 rows of Bodhisattva from cause to effect ④ four layers of the tower body: umbrella structure, representing the wind, hanging the small clock, the breeze will make a sound, symbolizing the five layers of the tower body: spiral structure, representing the essence of life, composed of water, earth, fire, wind composed of all things, In Buddhism, it is called the "four major harmony" ⑥ Colorful ribbon: many, connected from the top of the tower to the ground, shaped like a colorful scripture, in accordance with the order of blue, white, red, green, yellow, representing the blue sky, white clouds, flame, green water, loess 3, the platform where the giant Sheli Tower is located is also the core area of the scenic spot, The flow of people is like weaving, the surrounding landscape of the pagoda is dense, and the impression is deeper: ① Stone Pagoda Matrix: The neatly arranged small tower (cover photo), and there are relics such as Sheli, clothes and other relics left after the silence of the high monks of all generations ② Hindu Goddess Temple: The second-story eaves are Buddha, The only temple in the world where Buddhism and Hindu architecture coexist. There is a row of Hindu believers sitting on the ground eating hand-caught rice in the doorless house next to the temple, very exotic ③ small hall: no name, named according to the characteristics, there is a single-story reclining Buddha temple (the main one is a reclining Buddha, surrounded by glass windows with stone cultural relics)... The number of words is overrun, continue in the last picture

Thamel

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ClaireChi
This little hub inside of Kathmandu is constantly hustling and bustling. You'll find shops and restaurants everywhere, and the people are always kind. Traffic can be a bit daunting at first, but you'll get the hand of it quickly.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

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杨小钻风
Walking into Bad Gangduba Square is like breaking into Nepal's historical volume. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley, as a collection of medieval Nepalese art and architecture, is a UNESCO-certified world cultural heritage, called the "open-air museum". On the square, red brick ancient buildings are arranged closely, wood carvings and stone carvings can be seen everywhere. The designs on the windows and columns are exquisite and complicated, and the images of characters, animals, gods and other figures are lifelike, quietly telling the story of the past. The temple of Niatabola is the symbol of the square. This five-story pagoda is directly inserted into the clouds. Near the thousand steps, the statues of the beast and the statues of Lux stand majestic. It is also a portrait of Nepalese life. Women draw water by the ancient wells, children laugh on the stone road, and the elderly chat on the steps. The street handicraft shops are full of Tangka, wood carvings, pottery, and can not help but choose. The square was hit by the earthquake in 2015 and many buildings were badly damaged. Although some have been repaired, the ruins are still telling the disaster. This also makes people cherish these historical relics more and more, and wake up to the importance of cultural heritage protection. Bad Gang Duba Square is a visual enjoyment, spiritual baptism, and a dialogue with history. It is worth every visitor to slow down and savor.

Kumari Chowk

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郭润龙浪迹天涯
20240615pm: 1. Kumari Bahal Located in Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a complex of ancient buildings in Kathmandu. It is the site of the royal palace of the Malla Kings and Shah Dynasty of Nepal, a world cultural heritage, and the political and cultural center of Nepal at that time. There are more than 50 ancient buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries. It is a holy place for Hindu believers, with a huge crowd and extraordinary bustle. The scenic area is divided into Hanuman Dhoka Palace and the square. It is a good place for viewing photography, humanities learning, worshiping Buddha and shopping. Due to the 8.1 magnitude earthquake in Nepal on April 25, 2015, the ancient buildings were severely damaged, and many buildings are currently under repair. There are three Durbar squares in Nepal, which were built by the three sons of King Mahal of the Malla Dynasty. The other two are in Bhaktapur and Patan. ①Address: J P Marg Digha Paheleja, Kathmandu, Nepal ②Transportation: Direct bus access, difficult to park by car ③Peak season: None ④Duration: 1 hour ⑤Ticket price: 1,000 rupees (55.6 yuan, free outside the palace) 2. Kumari Bahal: Also known as the Living Child Temple, the temple enshrines the Living Goddess - Kumari, the patron saint of the Malla Dynasty, also known as the Child Goddess. It is to create tragic scenes and horror scenes in front of several 4-7-year-old Sakya girls who have never bled or been sick, have no birthmarks, and have neat teeth. Among them, the girl with no fear, worry or joy will become the new Living Goddess to be worshipped, and will be replaced after her menarche. However, marrying an adult goddess is considered to be bad luck. Kumari means virgin in Hindi. The girl cannot be photographed, but you can visit the temple and take photos when she is not in the temple.

Pashupatinath Temple

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RobTheTraveller
After visiting my trekking in the Himalayas I headed to Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, the biggest Buddhist temple in Nepal. After that it was time for another must-visit spot: the impressive Pashupatinath temple, also in Kathmandu. Pashupatinath is the biggest and holiest Hindu temple in Nepal, situated on the banks of the Bagmati river. Similar to the Ganges in India, here at Pashupatinath, dead bodies are being burned. It's always very impressive to see and makes you think about life over and over again. It feels good to be there, though.

Patan Darbar Square

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Mr & Mrs Saha
This is the one of the best historical places I ever visited. The place is so nice & information of the every places is so detailed.

Garden of Dreams

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E29***12
Garden of dreams, Keshar Mahal, Kathmandu. Built in 1920 and designed by Kishore Narshingh, it consists of 6,895 square metres (74,220 sq ft) of gardens.

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Here are the best places to visit in Kathmandu, including: Kathmandu Durbar Square,Thamel,Swayambhunath Stupa
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What's the best food in Kathmandu?

Hand-picked rice Dal Bhat Rice (Bhat) with lentils (Dal) and curry vegetables (Tarkari) is one of the most distinctive dishes in Nepal. Orange Leibi Idebi and Ledu laddu are two kinds of sweets, similar to syrup, which are very popular in Nepal. They are very sweet. Butter

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