Tourist Places in Nepal

Nepal is a beautiful country sandwiched between India and China.It is rich in natural resources cultural heritages.Geographically, it is divided into three regions: Hilly, Terai and Himalayan region.

Nepal(Lumbini) is the place where Siddartha Gautam Buddha(Lord Buddha)  was born.

The world's largest mountain Mt.Everest  lies in Nepal. There are 10 heritages of Nepal which are listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO.

The main tourist places in Nepal with their short description are as follows:

1. Boudhanath Stupa

It is the attractive and valuable stupa located at Boudha, Kathmandu.

It is historical stupa and attraction.Know more from: http://www.boudhanath.com/ 

2.Pashupatinath Temple

The temple of lord Pashupatinath is situated in Kathmandu city,Nepal. It is famous and most worshipped temple in Nepal. The temple is dedicated to God shiva(mahadev). The temple of lord pashupatinath is known as Bhu linga (Self appeared). The jytorilinga (shivalinga) of lord pashupatinath have four face situated in four direction. Whereas his fifth face is situated above all the four face. The fifth face is unseen with naked eyes so it is also known as Nirakar (without any form).

About the origin of lord pashupatinath,Many history/story can be found in various religious book. One of the history of origin is related to kamdhenu Cow. Every day kamdhenu cow used to offer her milk in land. Due to curiosity about the behaviour of cow. The farmers of that time dig land to know what is there and why cow offer milk every day. They saw a linga with divine light. These farmer can not control the divine light of linga. And they attain directly shivalok with reflection of light.

3.Swayambhunath

A golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. Its origins however, date to a much earlier time, long before the arrival of Buddhism into the valley. A collection of legends about the site, the 15th century Swayambhu Purana, tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a past Buddha, which blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu valley.

 

The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or Self-Existent'. Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake to venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment. During this time, the Bodhisatva Manjushri was meditating at the sacred mountain of Wu Tai Shan and had a vision of the dazzling Swayambhu light. Manjushri flew across the mountains of China and Tibet upon his blue lion to worship the lotus. Deeply impressed by the power of the radiant light, Manjushri felt that if the water were drained out of the lake Swayambhu would become more easily accessible to human pilgrims. With a great sword Manjushri cut a gorge in the mountains surrounding the lake. The water, draining away, left the valley of present day Kathmandu. The lotus was then transformed into a hill and the light became the Swayabhunath Stupa.

4.Basantapur Durbar Square

The top of the huge nine-storey Basantapur Tower, gives a great view of the palace, the city and even the Himalaya Mountains on a clear day. The struts on the facade of the tower, especially those facing Basantapur Tower have erotic carvings on them. Basantapur means “place of Spring,” and refers to Kathmandu.

There is definitely a lot more to see in Basantapur among which are; the Gaddhi Baithak, a European style building, built in 1908 by the Ranas. Hanuman Dhoka Museum (Tribhuwan Museum), celebrates King Tribhuwan & his successful revolt against the Rana regime, along with memorials to King Mahendra & Birendra.  A stone inscription, written to goddess Kalika in 15 languages including 1 French word by King Pratap Malla in 1664. Legend has it that milk will flow from the spout in the middle, should anyone be able to read all the 15 languages inscribed there.

5.Patan Durbar Square 

It is the histrical place of Patan.It has museum along with the historical temples.The architecture used in the temples are awesome. It reflects its historical importance.Among them krishna mandir is the most important temple. 

The square, situated in the heart of the city, consists of enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. There are three main courtyards or chowks, so named central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the square. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahity.

6.Pokhara

Pokhara is the most attractive tourist place in Nepal.There are many Lakes.Lakes are also the main things to attract  tourist.The geographical structure of pokhara is hilly but the city is in the middle of hills.The lakes are at the bottom.We can do paragliding from the top of the hills to the lakes with the awesome view.The culture and natural beauty of pokhara really doesn't lets us to leave if we go there. Pokhara is a very beautiful tourist place to visit.

The david falls also lies in Pokhara.We can do many other adventures like:-bungy Jumping,Boating, flying with ultralight, etc.The view of mountains from pokhara is very beautiful.There is a temple in the middle of Phewa  Lake.

                                                                                           

7.Nagarkot

Nagarkot is located 32 kms, east of Kathmandu, Nepal. Nagarkot thrills visitors with its unrestricted view of the mountain range from Annapurna in the west to the mighty Everest in the East.The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Bhaktapur, a 45-minute drive from Tribhuvan International Airport and an hour’s drive from Kathmandu. Taking a helicopter, it is just a 7-minutes’ ride from Tribuhavan International Airport.

Historically, Nagarkot was a place for the royals of Nepal to escape the scorching heat of summer and a hectic city life. In the 60’s explorers would battle the shivering winds and sleepless nights to see the stupendous sunrise and sunsets. Today, still people from all over World, from different walks of life, travel to Nagarkot, to enjoy the picturesque rural scenery of terraced rice fields, green pastures, the sunrise and sunsets; but all in the comforts of a world renowned hotel- Club Himalaya.

• 7200 ft above sea level : ideal for acclimatization if you are going to high altitude treks or to Tibet or Bhutan .
• Summer (May-September) : Nagarkot is windy throughout the year and is 7 Deg C cooler than Kathmandu in summers
• Himalayan View : One can view Mt Everest on the North – East to the Annapurna in the North- West with a maximum range of the Himalayan peaks.
• Full of legends & History :
• Birth of the world – Mahadev Pokhari
• Birth of Kathmandu – Manjushree gufa
• Unification of Nepal – Prithivi Narayan Shah & his Fort
• Summer Palace of the Ranas – Bhangeri Durbar
• Sun Risies & Sets with hashish – The Hippie era
• So near, yet so far away from the hustle and bustle of caotic Kathmandu
• Near the international airport (25km/45minutes) ideal to relax and recover*recoup from jet lag before starting a hectic tour or trekking.
• Village walks to experience rural Nepal – Tamang, Newar, Chhetri & Bahun villages within walking distance.
• Nagarkot now a tourist hub with many hotels and restaurants to choose from.
• Forest walks to see the flora and fauna o the hills as well as bird watching.
• Club Himalaya is the jewel on the crown of Nagarkot.
• Mountain biking or hiking to Changunarayan, Bhaktapur or Swayambhu.

8.Lumbini         

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, in the Terai plains of Nepal is one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. More than 400,000 Buddhists and non Buddhists visit Lumbini every year. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture) and holds immense archeological and religious importance.

                                                                           

9.Ilam

Ilam is the Far eastern district of the country which is inhabited by people of different culture, Nature living together peacefully. Illam is located on the foothills of Mount Kanchanjunga.We can find large land of lush-green tea gardens in Illam and the rolling hills covered with tea leaves are simply Wonderful. Greenery is all over the hills of Illam all around the year.Illam Tea Garden is situated near Illam Bazaar and Kanyam Tea Garden located between Terai plain and ILam Bazaar are the major of Nepal.There are many places for trekking in Illam and this places give us feeling of Relaxation and enjoyment.   

                                                                                   

10.Mustang

Mustang (from Tibetan Mun Tan (Wylie smon-thang) which means fertile plain) is the former Kingdom of Lo and now part of Nepal, in the north-central part of that country, bordering Tibet on the Central Asian plateau between the Nepalese provinces of Dolpo and Manang. The Kingdom of Lo, the traditional Mustang region, and "Upper Mustang" are one and the same, comprising the northern two-thirds of the present-day Nepalese Mustang District, and are well marked by official "Mustang" border signs just north of Kagbeni where a police post checks permits for non-Nepalese seeking to enter the region, and at Gyu La (pass) east of Kagbeni.

Upper Mustang is located north of Annapurna and at an average altitude of 4,000m is geologically and culturally part of the Tibetan plateau. The valleys are arid and dry with colourful rock formations containing many cave dwellings high up in the cliffs. The first trekking parties were allowed into Upper Mustang in 1992 and there are still very few people (about 700 trekkers each year) visiting Upper Mustang as a result it is one of the few places left where one can see undisturbed Tibetan culture.

11.Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park covers the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest at 8,848 m, and its surrounding high mountain ranges. It is an area of geologically young mountains with sharp peaks and glaciers. The Dudh Kosi river originates here. Gokyo Valley (a RAMSAR site) has a number of lakes.The park is located in north-eastern Nepal, in the Solo-Khumbu region.

It encompasses an area of 1,148 km² and ranges in elevation from its lowest point of 2,845 m at Jorsalle to 8,848 m at the summit of Everest. Most part of the land is barren, with grazing lands on the lower elevations. There are relatively few mammal species due to evolutionairy factors.Sagarmatha National Park is also home to about 3000 Sherpas. They moved there from Tibet some 500 years ago and keep up their distinct traditions and Tibetan-Buddhist religion.