WorId Heritage Sites

Of the many historical sites in Nepal ten are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Among the eight
Cultural Heritage Sites, seven are in Kathmandu Valley, whereas the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini,
is the only Cultural Heritage Site outside the Valley. Sagarmatha National Park and Chitwan National
Park have been listed as Natural Heritage Sites.
O HITWAN
%he Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first ever national park lies at the foot of the Himalaya
in the nner %erai lowlands of Chitwan. Covering an area of 932 sq. kilometers the park extends
over decidous forest foothills and river floodplains. %he park is rich in its variety of vegetation and
wildlife. %he park provides one of the last habitats for endangered species like the Asiatic one-
horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. Royal Chitwan National Park was officially
established in 1973 and included as Natural Heritage Site in 1984.

O SAGARMATHA
%he Sagarmatha National Park with its rugged mountains, glaciers, valleys and crowned by the
highest peak on earth Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters lies in Northeast Nepal. %he 1,148 sq.
kilometers of Sagarmatha National Park extends across the region's river areas and the famous
Sherpas' homefront Khumbu. Forests of rhododendron, birch, blue pine, juniper and silver fir are
found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters. Rare species of animals like the snow leopard, pandas,
lynx are seen in the region. Rare bird varieties like snow cock, snow pegion and different species
of pheasant are also to be seen here. %he park was declared a Natural Heritage Site in 1979.

O ATHMANDU VALLEY
Nestled in the lap of snow mountains, the verdant Kathmandu Valley abounds in archaic temples,
shrines and palaces that reflect its glory of the bygone era. Colorful Kathmandu with its old Asian
legacy houses seven Cultural Heritage Sites four of which are its art-excelling temples while three
are residential palaces of ancient Royals. %he Valley is situated at 1,336 meters above sea level
and comprises three cities within its parameters. Kathmandu is connected by air and by road to
most parts of Nepal. t is also connected by air to major cities in ndia and some parts of the
world. With its many facades, Kathmandu is a true little city of wonder for its visitors.

4 athmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is in the heart of old city Kathmandu in Basantapur. %he
Royal complex was residence to Nepal's Royal family before the construction of the
Narayanhiti Royal Palace. %he founding of the Royal Palace dates back to Licchavi
times. With considerable renovations by Malla rulers and later the Ranas, construction
was accomplished progressively over many centuries. %here are around 50 temples in
the vicinity including the temple of Royal titular deity, %aleju Bhawani. %he Durbar is
divided into two courtyards, the outer comprising Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and
Shiva-Parvati %emple, and the inner consisting of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace.
t also houses two museums. mportant ceremonies, including the coronation of the
Nepali monarch, are held in the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Most parts of the palace
premise are open for tourists throughout the week during office hours.

4 haktapur Durbar Sqauare
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of Bhaktapur. %he Square is one of the
most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest
medieval arts of Nepal. %he main items of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the
Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. %he Golden
Gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-
five Windowed Palace. %he Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of
King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was remodelled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the
seventeeth century. %he art gallery of Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains ancient
paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods. %his gallery is
open everyday except %uesday.

4 !atan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square complex, situated in the center of Patan city, houses the residence
of the former Royal family of Patan. %he Square and its surroundings provide very good
example of ancient Newari architecture. %he palace has three main courtyards the central
and the oldest is Mul Chowk. %o the west of the complex are a dozen free standing
temples of various sizes and styles. Krishna %emple, Bhimsen %emple, the Golden
%emple of Hiranya Varna Mahavira and Sundari Chowk mark the architectural excellence
of its era. %he Sundari Chowk with the sunken Royal bath of %usha Hiti, contains
exquisite woodcarvings, stone, and metal sculpture. Patan Durbar Square also houses a
temple of %aleju Bhawani.

4 Swayambhu
Swayambhu literally means 'Self-Existent One.' Swayambhunath is believed to have
been established more than 2,500 years ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that
the construction was carried out by King Manadeva. By the thirteenth century
Swayambhunath had developed into an important Buddhist learning site. %he history of
Kathmandu Valley is said to have started with the beginning of Swayambhu. %he largest
image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal is in a monastery next to the stupa. Behind the
hilltop is a temple dedicated to Manjusri of Saraswati - the goddess of learning. Statues
and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities dot the stupa complex. Large numbers of
Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swayambhunath. Swayambhu is perhaps the best place
to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. %he stupa is atop a hill, and requires
considerable walk. %here is also a road that leads almost to the base of the statue.

4 hangu Narayan
Changu Narayan is the temple of Vishnu the Preserver, in the village of Changu in
Bhaktapur. %he origins of Changu Narayan goes back to the fourth century. A fifth
century stone inscription in the temple proclaims it as one of the oldest shrines of the
Kathmandu Valley. %he temple is believed to be sixteen hundred years old. t is
embellished by the best examples of stone, wood, and metal craft. On the struts of the
two-tiered Changu Narayan %emple, are the ten incarnations of Narayan. A sixth-century
stone statue shows the cosmic form of Vishnu. Garuda, half man and half bird, is the
steed of Vishnu, and his life-sized statue kneels before the temple.

4 !ashupati
Pashupati is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for Shiva devotees.
Pashupatinath, dedicated to Shiva the Destroyer, is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage
destination in Nepal. Although the Pashupati %emple was only built in the fifth century
and later renovated by Malla kings, the holy site is said to have existed from the
beginning of the millennium. A gold-plated roof, four silver doors, and wood carvings of
the finest quality decorate the pagoda temple of Pashupati. %emples dedicated to several
other Hindu and Buddhist deities surround the temple of Pashupati. Nearby is the temple
of Guheshwori dedicated to Shiva's consort Sati Devi. Behind the temple is the River
Bagmati. On the banks of Bagmati are raised platforms used as cremation sites for
Hindus. Only Hindus are allowed inside the Pashupatinath courtyard.

4 ouddha
Bouddhanath is the center of %ibetan culture in Nepal. %he 36-meter-high stupa of
Bouddhanath is one of the largest stupas in South Asia. Bouddhanath Stupa was
renovated by Licchavi rulers in the eighth century. %he mandala design in Bouddhanath
is a copy of the one in Gyangtse in %ibet. %he stupa is located in the area of ancient trade
route to %ibet where %ibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries.
When refugees entered Nepal from %ibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around
Bouddhanath. Hence, a complete township has developed around Bouddhanath. %he
stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage venerable both to Buddhists and
Hindus. Smaller stupas are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and
restaurants surround Bouddhanath.

O LUMUNI
Lumbini associated with the birth of Lord Buddha is of extreme archeological importance and also
a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. t is said that Prince Siddhartha Gautam, who later became
Buddha the Englightened One, was born in the gardens of Nepal's Lumbini in 623 B.C. %he main
shrines of Lumbini are the newly restored Mayadevi %emple, the Ashokan Pillar behind the
temple and the Lake Shakya Puskarini where Mayadevi is said to have bathed before delivering
the little Buddha into the world.

Several other places near Lumbini are linked with stories connected to Buddha and Buddhism.
Lumbini is about 300 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. Bus and flights to Bhairawa which is
about 22 kilometers from Lumbini, are available from major cities. From Bhairawa transport
services to Lumbini are easily available. Food and accommodation facilities are available in
Lumbini and Bhairawa.