Nepal is a very beautiful country that is rich with natural resources even though it has no access to the oceans. Despite being a lesser-known country, it offers many adventurous activities for the tourist.
As this country has only one International airport your first stop will always be Kathmandu before visiting any other places inside this country.
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is a famous tourist destination. It is prosperous with ancient art, cultures, and traditions which attracts people to visit this place.
If you are planning to tour and find things to do in Kathmandu then you have come to the right place, we present to you our article on Top things to do in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is a beautiful city that offers many exciting activities that will keep you busy for days. Some of them are short hikes, fishing near Kathmandu valley, Everest Base Camp helicopter tour, the nightlife of Thamel, etc.
Before explaining to you about top things to do in Kathmandu know a bit more about this city.
About Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the busiest and crowdest city of Nepal which is the economic hub of this country. It is the most developed city in the nation having various major offices and headquarters.
Being the capital city of Nepal it offers both western as well as local lifestyle and cuisine. Such as Korean restaurants, local food stalls, and many more. Among these, the local Newari cuisine is quite appreciated by the Nepalese people as well.
This city was once home for the Newar community but nowadays you can see diverse ethnicities working and living together. However, the majority of locals living here are still Newari people.
Kathmandu is also known as the city of Temples having many shrines of different gods and goddesses. Not only shrines but this city host many old mansions, palaces, and gardens belonging to the royals.
Another attractive thing about this place is the ancient architects made by Newari artists that are breathtakingly beautiful. Your stay in Kathmandu will be quite remarkable as you get to experience the culture and traditions closely.
Top Things To Do in Kathmandu
If you are planning your vacation in Kathmandu then you must be wondering what things can be done in Kathmandu. Well, this article is made to answer this question and tell you about the activities you can do during your stay.
Some Top Things to do in Kathmandu are as follows:
Visit UNESCO Heritage Sites
Kathmandu is home for 4 UNESCO Heritage sites that are a popular destination for tourists. Many people visiting Kathmandu always roam these sites as they are a few of the major attractions of the city. These sites are not only packed with foreigners but locals as well.
A short introduction of these sites are given below:
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath temple is one of the oldest temples of Kathmandu and sacred ground for the Hindu religion. The god residing in this temple is Lord Shiva and the temple is packed with his followers during Monday and festivals such as Teej, Shivratri.
The main temple is a pagoda-style building that has four doors covered with silver sheets on each side. And the top two levels of the roofs are covered with gold.
Bouddhanath Stupa
Boudhanath is one of the largest spherical stupas of Nepal which is sacred ground for the Buddhist religion filled with Tibetan influenced culture. This stupa is a semi-circle dome painted in all white with unblinking eyes drawn on each side of the towering spire. Overall, the shape showcases a Buddhist mandala.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey temple that is situated on top of a hill in the west part of Kathmandu. This stupa is also a sacred and holy pilgrimage site for Buddhist followers and one of the oldest religious sites of Nepal.
Basantapur Durbar Square
Basantapur Durbar Square is also known as Kathmandu Durbar Square which was once the royal palace of the Malla and Shah Kings. Nowadays, this place is an attraction site for tourists where you can roam around the durbar square.
Short Hike
If your visit to Kathmandu is pretty long then you can go on a short hike which is easy as well as adventurous. Short hikes are a great option as they are cheap and take about a few hours or a day long.
Hikes are pretty popular activities you can do in Kathmandu. Some popular hiking destinations are Sundarijal Hike, Shivapuri Danda Hike, Nagarjun Danda Hike, and many more. On your hike, you will be walking through beautiful forests and if you are lucky you might even spot some wild animals living in these areas.
If you have enough time, Nepal offers a lot of popular trekking destinations which lasts upto 3 weeks.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
While staying in Kathmandu you can also do the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour which is about a few hours long. This helicopter flight takes you on an amazing ride to Kala Patthar giving you the closest view of Mount Everest.
Also, the scenic views you get to see out your window will be a memory to rejoice for a lifetime. You will be flying over the Khumbu region looking at the beautiful landscapes and mountains.
Fishing Near Kathmandu Valley
If you love doing activity in peace viewing the beauty of nature then fishing near Kathmandu valley is another top thing to do here. The nearest fishing destination is Trishuli river where you can enjoy rafting while fishing. This river is home to many species of fishes such as Trout, Golden Mahaseer, and Eel. Sitting on the shores of the Trishuli and catching fishes viewing the green vegetation is a great experience.
Fishing requires a lot of patience so if you can sit all day in the same spot surrounding yourself with hills and magnificent gorges. This is an ideal way to spend your day.
Roam Around Thamel
Thamel is a tourist hub and one of the popular destinations for tourists that offer souvenir shops, cuisines from various countries, pubs, clubs, and many more. This area was made with the intention to attract tourists and has been doing it for many decades.
Thamel is mostly famous for its nightlife as the streets come alive as the night gets darker. The narrow streets are filled with locals and travelers making it crowded and noisy. This is a wonderful experience you will not forget for a lifetime.
Cycling
Cycling is quite the best way to know more about the streets of Kathmandu. You can hire bikes from local shops and roam the city. The traffic is quite wild in this city making your ride quite challenging and thrilling. So ride slow and enjoy the moments.
Taste Street Food
While exploring the city you will see many food stalls in the streets offering stick foods, momo, paratha, etc. These stalls are usually opened from evening to night time. You should try them as these are some local street foods of Nepal. You won’t be disappointed with the taste.
Traditional Cuisine
Staying in Nepal and not trying traditional cuisine will be a disgrace. The best Traditional cuisines are found in Thakali restaurants. So don’t forget to try our traditional cuisine that consists of Bhat, Dal, Achar, Curry, and many more side dishes.
Newari Cuisine
Just thinking about the Newari Cuisine brings water to my mouth. Even Nepalese people love this cuisine which is variety in number. Some famous Newa dishes are Choila, Bara, Chatamari( Nepali Pizza) and many more. Also, the food is incomplete without Chaang a local beverage of the Newari Community.
Final Say
We hope this article about top things to do in Kathmandu was quite helpful for you. And you have a wonderful stay in Kathmandu.
Have fun and make great memories during your stay.
