Stamped!

City of Temples

Kathmandu architecture

Kathmandu Valley contains seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a few kilometers of each other — more UNESCO monuments in a concentrated area than almost anywhere on Earth. The city sits at 1,400 meters above sea level, ringed by the Himalayas, and is the starting point for expeditions to Mount Everest and the Annapurna Circuit. The ancient city dates back to the 7th century, and its Newari architecture — characterized by multi-tiered pagoda temples, ornate wood carvings, and open courtyards — is unique in the world.

  • 5Landmarks
  • 450Oldest · Swayambhunath
  • 36 mTallest · Boudhanath
  • 1Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoTribhuvan International Airport (KTM)

    Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal's only international airport, sits dramatically in the Kathmandu Valley surrounded by the Himalayan foothills. Its single runway and challenging mountain approach make it one of the more technically demanding airports for pilots. The airport handles over 50 international airlines despite its relatively modest size. A major expansion and the potential construction of a new international airport at Nijgadh are planned to address capacity limitations.

  • CurrencyNepalese Rupee (₨)
  • LanguageNepali

    Nepali is the national language, a Sanskrit-derived language related to Hindi and written in Devanagari script. Kathmandu is also home to the Newari community, whose language Newari (Nepal Bhasa) has a distinct script and long literary tradition. English is widely spoken in the tourist industry and among educated Kathmandus, and signage is commonly bilingual. The city's position as a gathering point for Himalayan trekkers and mountaineers means it is extraordinarily cosmopolitan.

  • Getting aroundTempos & Microbuses

    Kathmandu's public transport is famously chaotic — the city lacks a metro or reliable formal transit system. Shared tempos (electric three-wheelers) and microbuses follow unofficial routes and can be hailed anywhere. Taxis are widely available and inexpensive, though negotiating the fare before boarding is advisable. A proposed metro railway for Kathmandu has been in planning for years. Walking and cycling are popular in the old city around Thamel and Durbar Square, where narrow streets exclude larger vehicles.

5 landmarks in Kathmandu

  1. Boudhanath
    Photo: Sumitbhatt222, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Boudhanath

    Boudha, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

    One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, rising 36 metres from its base, believed to contain the bone relics of the Kassapa Buddha. Built around the 14th century, the stupa is ringed by over 50 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and is the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet.

    Built
    1350
    Style
    Tibetan Buddhist
    Height
    36 m (118 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site & active pilgrimage site
  2. Swayambhunath
    Photo: Nabin K. Sapkota, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Swayambhunath

    Swayambhu, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

    One of Nepal's most sacred Buddhist sites, a stupa on a hilltop above the Kathmandu Valley dating back to the 5th century, its all-seeing eyes painted on all four sides of the spire watching over the valley below. Also called the Monkey Temple for the resident rhesus macaques.

    Built
    450
    Style
    Newari Buddhist
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site & active pilgrimage site
  3. Pashupatinath Temple
    Photo: Bijay Chaurasia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Pashupatinath Temple

    Pashupatinath, Kathmandu 44621, Nepal

    The most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal and one of the most revered Shiva temples in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. The temple's cremation ghats on the riverbank are visible to non-Hindu visitors and offer a profound encounter with Hindu death rituals.

    Built
    450
    Style
    Pagoda / Newari
    Height
    23 m (75 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site & active Hindu temple
  4. Kathmandu Durbar Square
    Photo: Artha at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Kathmandu Durbar Square

    Basantapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

    A complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples at the heart of old Kathmandu, historically the royal palace precinct of the Malla kings. The square contains the Kumari Ghar — the home of the Kumari, Nepal's living goddess. Many structures were damaged in the 2015 earthquake and restoration continues.

    Built
    1650
    Style
    Newari
    Stories
    3
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site & active cultural site

  5. Garden of Dreams, Kathmandu

    Kaiser Mahal, Kantipath, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

    A neo-classical garden built by Kaiser Shamsher Rana in the early 20th century inspired by Edwardian gardens, almost completely restored between 2006 and 2007 after decades of neglect. Six separate gardens are arranged around pavilions and a pond, each representing one of the seasons.

    Built
    1920
    Architect
    Kyoshi Nishimura (restoration)
    Style
    Neoclassical / Edwardian garden
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Public heritage garden

More cities in Asia

Stamp all 5 in Stamped!

Fly through Kathmandu in photoreal 3D, take its 10-question quiz, plan your days and earn a passport stamp at every landmark. Free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on theApp Store