Nepal

Kathmandu Valley

WHS Score 3.84
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Votes for Kathmandu Valley

1.5

  • Adrian Turtschi

2.0

  • Akhilpreeti
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2.5

  • Jasonfd247
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3.0

  • AGuzzo
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3.5

  • Juropa
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4.0

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  • Alexander Lehmann
  • Alex Marcean
  • Carlo Sarion
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  • Clyde
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4.5

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5.0

  • Alexander Parsons
  • amitlchoudhuryjbp
  • Astraftis
  • awestix
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  • Christoph
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  • JobStopar
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  • Priyaranjan Mohapatra
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  • roxfts
  • Shannon O'Donnell
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  • Vernon Prieto
  • Yinming Zhang

The Kathmandu Valley comprises seven groups of urban monuments that showcase the Newari culture and the coexistence of Hinduism, Buddhism and animist rituals.

Its palace complexes, temples and stupas, dating from the 16th-18th century, have been built in the typical architecture using brick, stone, timber and bronze. They include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan, Syambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath Stupa.

Community Perspective: Some call it “the worst example of uncontrolled urban sprawl and air pollution that I have ever seen”, while others praise the active religious use of Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the daily life and frequent festivals. The site is best explored on a slow pace and a visit will take multiple days.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Kathmandu Valley (ID: 121)
Country
Nepal
Status
Inscribed 1979 Site history
History of Kathmandu Valley
1979: Inscribed
Inscribed
1985: Extension deferred
2003: In Danger
Loss of authenticity and threat of uncontrolled development
2007: Removed from Danger list
2021: Advisory Body overruled
ICOMOS advised In Danger Listing. Overturned by an amendment lead by Thailand (needs more time).
WHS Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • iii
  • iv
  • vi
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
Forum Discussion
Related Resources
News Article
  • Feb. 9, 2019 kathmandupost.ekantipur.com — Use of concrete in ancient temple draws ire from heritage conservationists in Nepal
  • June 28, 2018 xinhuanet.com — Quake-damaged historical monument Gaddi Baithak restored in Nepal
  • April 30, 2018 asia.nikkei.com — Nepalese question rebuilding of quake-damaged temples
  • Jan. 17, 2017 dailymail.co.uk — Inspired by Nepalese, UK architect rebuilds ancient Changu Narayan temple
  • Dec. 21, 2016 myrepublica.com — Shuklaphanta timber for reconstruction of Kasthamandap Temple
  • Nov. 17, 2016 scmp.com — Kathmandu believers restore quake-damaged Boudhanath stupa
  • April 11, 2016 kathmandupost.ekantipur.com — Bhaktapur monument reconstruction begins
  • Dec. 21, 2015 thehimalayantimes.com — Changu Narayan still ignored
  • June 15, 2015 ibtimes.com — UNESCO raises concerns over safety at reopened Kathmandu sites
  • June 6, 2015 timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Kathmandu Valley to enter UN's 'heritage in danger' list
  • May 29, 2015 bangkokpost.com — Nepal to reopen 3 damaged heritage sitesby June 15
  • May 2, 2015 ibnlive.in.com — UNESCO team at Swayambhunath temple to prevent looting
  • May 1, 2015 bbc.com — Nepal's Kathmandu valley treasures: Before and after
  • April 25, 2015 news.sky.com — A magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Nepal has caused extensive damage in Kathmandu
  • June 24, 2014 myrepublica.com — Swayambhu risks losing WH listing due to new prayer wheels
  • March 4, 2014 myrepublica.com — Drive to declutter Hanuman Dhoka kicks off
  • Aug. 1, 2013 foxnews.com — Giant crematorium at revered Pashupatinath
  • July 25, 2013 myrepublica.com — Landslides imperil historic Changunarayan temple
  • May 20, 2013 thehimalayantimes.com — Plan to make Pashupatinath a tourist hub
  • May 5, 2013 myrepublica.com — Vehicle bans at Kathmandu Durbar Square ignored
  • Oct. 8, 2012 thehimalayantimes.com — Nyatopola temple in Bhaktapurmold-infested
  • Dec. 18, 2011 thehimalayantimes.com — Two ancient courtyards in Kathmandu open to the public
  • Aug. 4, 2011 thehimalayantimes.com — Changunarayan Temple at high risk of landslide
  • June 29, 2011 news.in.msn.com — Three years after the abolition of monarchy in Nepal, a huge stash of gold and silver ornaments has been found by labourers who were renovating centuries old structure in the old Hanumandhoka Palace complex here
  • June 14, 2011 articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Pashupatinath temple under threat from mice and cockroaches
  • Sept. 23, 2007 timesofindia.indiatimes.com — The World Heritage Centre has sought clarification from Nepal on the "status of a road" being built with Maoists' support near the ancient Pashupatinath temple that threatens to put the World Heritage Site in danger.
  • June 27, 2007 news.bbc.co.uk — Archaeology and cultural officials in Nepal have welcomed a decision to remove seven historic monuments from the list of world heritage sites in danger.

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Urban landscape: Asian
  • Secular structure: Military and Fortifications
Travel Information
Discriminatory Entry Policies
Discriminatory Entry Policies
Most of Pashupatinath is closed to non-Hindus
Recent Connections
View all (36) .
Connections of Kathmandu Valley
Individual People
Geography
Trivia
History
  • Silk Roads
    Southern Route; "Kathmandu's trade is an ancient profession that flourished along an offshoot of the Silk Road which linked India and Tibet. From centuries past, Lhasa Newar merchants of Kathmandu have conducted trade across the Himalaya and contributed to spreading art styles and Buddhism across Central Asia." (wiki)
  • Golden Age of India
    Changu Narayan Temple
Architecture
Damaged
World Heritage Process
Religion and Belief
  • Goddesses
    Kumari the "Living Goddess"
  • Vishnu cult
    Changu Narayan Temple

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Virginity
    The living goddess Kumari lives in the Kumari Ghar, a palace in the center of Kathmandu. The word "Kumari" is derived from Sanskrit Kaumarya meaning "virgin"
  • Hindu pilgrimage sites
    Pashupatinath Temple - Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings' (wiki)
  • Pagoda
    Nyatapola Pagoda (Bhaktapur) - (brick, wood) - five stories (30 meters); Malla Dynasty
  • Shiva cult
    Pashupatinath Temple, "one of the most sacred Shiva Kshetras (abodes of Shiva) in Skanda Purana... dedicated to Pashupati, a form of Shiva."

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Tibetan Buddhism
    Boudhanath stupa, Swayambhunath religious complex (although mainly Newar Buddhist)
  • Stupa
Human Activity
  • Thanatourist destination
    Pashupatinath cremation ghats
  • Erotic art
    Erotic carvings in Char Narayan Temple of Patan Durbar Square, Shiva-Parvati Temple, and Pashupatinath Temple of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. "some of these centuries-old erotic carvings showcase intercourse beyond the heterosexual definition of sex." and "there are a few carvings even of animals like horses penetrating women".

    See kathmandupost.com

  • Cremation
    Pashputinath Ghats. Active Hindu cremation site
WHS on Other Lists
  • World Monuments Watch (past)
    Teku Thapatali Monument Zone, Itum Baha Monastery (2002, 2000, 1996), Patan Royal Palace Complex, Patan (2006) Cultural Heritage Sites of Nepal (2016), Chivas and Chaityas of the Kathmandu Valley (2020)
  • UNESCO 'LEAP' program
  • U.S. Ambassadors Fund
    Restoration of Chaugara Sattal at Changu Narayan (2011), Restoration of 17th-Century Water Architecture in the Patan Royal Palace (2009), Restoration of Patan Royal Palace (2009), Restoration of the 17th-Century Machali Pati (2006), Restoration of the 5th-Century BC Nag Bahal Hiti in Patan (2006), Restoration of 17th-Century Mahadev Twin Temples Durbar Square in Kathmandu (2005), Restoration of the 19th-Century Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Durbar Square in Kathmandu (2005), Restoration of the Mid-18th-Century Kageswar Mahadev Temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square (2004), Restoration of the 17th-Century Kalo Bhairav Shrine (2003), Restoration and Seismic Strengthening of the Early 20th‐Century Gaddi Baithak in Kathmandu Durbar Square (2016)
  • Global Heritage Fund
    Bhaktapur
  • World Monuments Watch (past)
    2022: Hitis (water fountains) of the Kathmandu Valley
  • Creative Cities
Timeline
  • Built in the 14th century
    "until 14th century and the arrival of the Mallas, which is an important period for the flourishing of Nepalese art and architecture. These developed into a growing spiritual orientation towards Tantrism, making it difficult to separate purely Buddhist from purely Hindu art." (AB ev)
Visiting conditions
18
News
kathmandupost.ekantipur.com 02/09/2019
Use of concrete in ancient temple …
xinhuanet.com 06/28/2018
Quake-damaged historical monument …
asia.nikkei.com 04/30/2018
Nepalese question rebuilding of qu…
Recent Visitors
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Visitors of Kathmandu Valley
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Community Reviews

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First published: 14/10/19.

Alex Marcean

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Alex Marcean

The opportunity of visiting a WHS made up of seven amazing locations makes the journey to Kathmandu a special treat for any WHS enthusiast. Best explored at a slow pace within a week or so, the sites can also be "ticked off" in 3 days as the following tour plan shows. Buying a self-guided tour book from some of the local shops will add more flavor to your journey.

Day 1

Make your way on foot from the tourist district of Thamel to "Kathmandu Durbar Square" in order to get used to the city vibes. Allow around 1hr to get to the square and anywhere between 2 to 4 hours to explore all its buildings and museums. End your day at some rooftop cafe overlooking the square near Freak Street.

Day 2

Hire a car with driver to make your way to the WHS more remote from the city center. First you can visit "Pashupatinah" and "Boudhanath" temples. After this, you need to pass by the town of Bhaktapur and up through some scenic rural areas to reach the country's oldest temple, "Changu Narayan", nestled atop a hill from which you can better admire the Kathmandu Valley. From here it's only a 20min drive to "Bhaktapur Durbar", but best plan at least 2 or 3 hours to wander around the town and see the other urban plazas and temples as well - even if not WHS proper, they are scenic, vibrant and filled with history.

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First published: 20/09/18.

Shannon O'Donnell

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Shannon O'Donnell

I spent two months in Nepal, and good amount of that time was in the Kathmandu Valley volunteering in the town of Pharping and exploring the Valley outside the of the city. Kathmandu itself just oozes history and although it suffers from some serious air pollution, which leaves buildings and vibes a bit grimy at times, it's also easy to overlook that side since it holds so many historic sites. Although the earthquake damaged some of the main historic sites, they are not gone and the fact that most still stand is a testament to the city's long and rich timeline. 

If you're staying in the Thamel area of the city, know that there's a lot more to the city than just that, and you should explore not just the main sites and things to do in Kathmandu, which are spread across the city, but also the neighborhoods around these other sites—that's where you'll find so many other locals and restaurants and aspects that have made Kathmandu the historic city it is. 

My favorite of the key sites include:

  • Boudhanath Stupa (of course, this is a key site and truly beautiful to visit and walk around the circle around it, just as the local pilgrims do when they visit). 
  • Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square)
  • The home and story of the Kumari Ghar
  • Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
  • Pashupatinath Temple

Beyond those things, the next best thing you can do is leave the …

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First published: 03/05/15.

Els Slots

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Els Slots

People often ask me what my favourite WHS is. Of course, it is hard to choose – depending on my mood of the day I might say Angkor or Machu Picchu, or a lesser-known natural site such as Manu National Park where I "learned" to love nature. But generally, I opt for the Kathmandu Valley. Maybe not an obvious choice, but it’s a place that I keep coming back to and where there’s always something left to explore. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of April 25, I think it is right to put the spotlight on the Kathmandu Valley.

I have visited the Valley four times: in 1993, 2001, 2007 and 2011. The WHS covers 7 locations, spread out over 4 different towns. I’ve been to all separate sites, most of them more than once. During these trips, I have never skipped the short commute to the outskirts of Kathmandu for Boudhanath Stupa. This is the religious symbol of the Tibetan diaspora in Nepal and probably the greatest Tibetan Buddhist site in the world. It is surrounded nowadays by over 50 Tibetan monasteries. Can it substitute a visit to Tibet proper? Yes, I believe so. When I look at our list of Tibetan Buddhist WHS, this surely is the most active maybe only rivalled by Lhasa's Jokhang Temple.

Then there’s Pashupatinath, one of the most impressive Hindu sites on the WH List. It's an active "burning" ghat, where bodies are cremated in public. You may be …

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First published: 21/09/13.

Anonymous

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Els Slots

I have been to the Kathmandu Valley several times and I love it ther very much. Ir's alive with people and businesses and restaurants and historical sites of "Old Kathmandu" and love it there, like walking back in time several hundred years. The spirit of the country is reflected here an the people are very friendly and open to good conversations. I have been there on 7 fiffernt times and it is like a second home to me.

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First published: 08/04/13.

Clyde

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Clyde

This must be one of the most expensive WHS but still it is well worth visiting all 7 sites. My personal favourite is Pashupatinath, a smaller version of Varanasi and the Ganges in India. Cremation goes on day and night in the filthy Bagmati river and it is always full of locals especially on Saturdays.

Boudnath is said to be the world's largest stupa complex. Many Tibetan Gompas to visit nearby the stupa and truly a spiritual place.

Swayambhunath is a similar stupa in Kathmandu also known as Monkey Temple because of the monkeys roaming freely around it.

Changu Narayan is in Bhaktapur district and is well worth the visit. Less tourists and beautiful stone sculptures.

The 3 Durbar Squares are packed with stupas, temples, carvings, stone sculptures, etc. and in order of preference are : Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon), Kathmandu and Patan (Lalitpur). All deserve at least 1-2 days each.

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First published: 10/03/11.

Anonymous

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Anonymous WHS Traveller

Its been 20 years since i visited nepal and it will truely stay in my heart forever - it was a life-changing experience for me and will never forget it. I met such lovely people and saw sites i had only dreamt of - nepal is a place close to heaven in every sense and hope that people will visit, enjoy and respect it. Kathmandu valley is the most beautiful place iv had the good fortune to travel to and is worth a visit just for its sheer magnificence.The people are inspirational and being in the mountains made me see why the nepalese are so devoutly religious - nepal brought joy into my life and that is where i go in my head when i need to - thankyou nepal and the people of nepal for making such a difference to my life :)

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First published: 22/05/10.

Anonymous

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Els Slots

I just returned from a visit to Kathmandu this April. I was hugely disappointed to see that Kathmandu was no longer the "lush tropical paradise amidst the Himalayas" that I had pictured it to be, but rather the worst example of uncontrolled urban sprawl and air pollution that I have ever seen. When I arrived in the valley after crossing through the hills we could practically cut the air with a knife! I asked one of my tour guides about air pollution controls and was told that these were in place, but that the police who were supposed to enforce the "green sticker" policy for vehicles in Kathmandu regularly accepted bribes in exchange for the green sticker on the windshield of vehicles permitted to drive in the city.

Nevertheless, I loved the people and spirituality that permeated every street and alleyway of Kathmandu. It is practically impossible to walk anywhere without stumbling over a stupa or some kind of shrine, no matter how small, and the people were some of the kindest and gentlest people I have met on my travels.

I will definitely visit Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal again in future and can only hope that some of the conditions will have improved by then.

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First published: 24/04/08.

Stephen Brooker

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Els Slots

I first visited Kathmandu in 1990 and returned in the fall of 2007.

On my first visit the journey from Kathmandu to Bahktpur, was a short drive through open countryside, now the whole journey is through urban sprawl - a huge disappointment.

I was told, by our guide, that the valleys population has nearly trebled since the start of the Moaist insurgency. Due to people seeking the safety of Kathmandu. This is both a human tragedy, and a tragedy for our collective human heritage.

That said, there is still plenty to enjoy and be inspired by. Bodonath, Pashinunpronoucable, Bahktpur etc. I would also, from my first visit, recomend the intimate but enjoyable national museum - although I never made it back last November.

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First published: 01/05/05.

Anonymous

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley (Inscribed)

Kathmandu Valley by Els Slots

I went to Nepal in June. It was always my dream destination but the main reason i wanted to go there was to see the bouddhanath stupa. This buddist temple with the eyes penetrating has always fascinated me. But what i never expected was to discover so many hindu temples in nepal. Going without expecting is always an experience. The best temple among the ones i visited is of course pasupathinath.

I missed out the shangu narayana temple and the bathrakali temple. That is why i visited this site.

Nepal is an exotic country to visit. I would want to visit again all those places that i missed out.

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