Nepal Travel Information: 11 Best Places to Visit in Nepal

Situated along the Himalayan mountain range between China and India, Nepal is a landlocked country in Southern Asia. It contains 8 of the world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with Tibet, Nepal is a hotspot destination for mountaineers, rock climbers and people seeking adventure. Nepal’s culture is just as varied, filled with centuries-old temples and shrines, and the birth place of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. An overview of the best places to visit in Nepal:

11. Lumbini

flickr/David Lowry

Lumbinī is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Nepal. It has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi Temple and several others which are still under construction. Many monuments, monasteries and a museum, the Lumbini International Research Institute, are also within the holy site. Also there is the Puskarini, or Holy Pond, where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath. Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 1997.

10. Janakpur

flickr/Abhishek Singh

Janakpur (also known as Janakpurdham) is the administrative and capital city of the Mithila, Nepal. It is home to the historic 500-year old Janaki Temple, a major attraction for Indian Hindu pilgrims and international tourists. The Temple is three-story construction and 60 rooms, the massive 19th-century marble structure is the largest temple in Nepal. Janakpur is also the birthplace of the Goddess Sita and place of her marriage to the God Ram. Janakpur is known for the more than 100 sacred pools and ponds scattered around the tranquil city as well.

9. Khumbu

flickr/Sebastian Preußer

Khumbu (also known as the Everest Region) is a region of northeastern Nepal on the Nepalese side of Mount Everest. It includes the town of Namche Bazaar as well as the villages of Thame, Khumjung, Pangboche, Pheriche and Kunde. The famous Buddhist monastery at Tengboche, there’s a variety of comfortable accommodations available at the monastery, many of which offer stunning views of the tallest mountain on the world. Lonely Planet has ranked Khumbu region in sixth best region in the world to travel.

8. Nagarkot

flickr/Neil Young

Nagarkot is a village and Village Development Committee located 32 km east of Kathmandu. At an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur District. It is known for a sunrise view of the Himalayas including Mount Everest as well as other peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. The scenic beauty of the place makes it a very popular hiking route for tourists.[wiki]

7. Chitwan National Park

flickr/Ann Lei

Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. The park is home to rhinos, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur (buffalo) deer, and many other critters. Freshwater dolphins (gangetic) and crocodiles inhabit the rivers and streams but are rarely seen. More than 500 species of birds make Chitwan a paradise for ornithologists. In addition to jeep tours, visitors can experience the park through jungle treks, elephant rides and canoe rides. Chitwan is one of the best wildlife-viewing destinations in Asia.

6. Pokhara

flickr/Bachellier Christian

Pokhara is a Metropolitan and second largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu. With its tranquil lakes, verdant shorelines and mountain views, Pokhara is a popular resort destination for travelers from around the world. Known as the gateway to the Himalayas, the lakeside city offers respite to weary hikers, and provides opportunities for outdoor adventures too. The largest of Pokhara’s three lakes, Phewa Lake is lined with luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and boating at phewa lake is one of the popular activities one does who go for visit.

5. Bardia

wiki/Krish Dulal

The Bardiya National Park (also spelled Bardia), is a protected area in Nepal that was established in 1988 as Royal Bardia National Park. Covering an area of 968 km2 (374 sq mi) it is the largest and most undisturbed national park in Nepal's Terai. The wide range of vegetation types in forest and grassland provides excellent habitat for 642 faunal species. The Karnali-Babai river system, their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes is habitat for 125 recorded species of fish. It is home to at least 53 mammals including rhinoceros, wild elephant, Bengal tiger, swamp deer, Gangetic dolphin. And 407 bird species, among them the Bengal florican, white-rumped vulture, peafowl, and bar-headed geese.

4. Patan

flickr/Annette Bouvain

Patan is the third largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara and it is located in the south-central part of Kathmandu Valley. Patan is also known as Manigal. It is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its tradition of arts and crafts. It is called city of festival and feast, fine ancient art, making of metallic and stone carving statue. Built in the 17th century, the palaces, courtyards and temples of the Patan Durbar are the city’s star attractions. The city received extensive damage from an earthquake on 25 April 2015.

3. Annapurna Circuit

flickr/Stefan Kellner

The Annapurna Circuit is a popular name for a trek within the Annapurna mountain range of central Nepal. The total length of the route varies, depending on where the motor transportation is used and where the trek is ended. The classic trek leads travelers high into the Himalayas, across plunging gorges, over desert plateaus and through lush subtropical valleys dotted by terraced farms. The trek also passes by many religious sites and quaint villages. The trek begins at Besisahar or Bhulbhule in the Marshyangdi river valley and concludes in the Kali Gandaki Gorge.

2. Bhaktapur

flickr/neiljs

Located in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, about 8 miles from the capital city, Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is known variously as City of Culture, Living Heritage, Nepal's Cultural Gem, An open museum and a City of Devotees. Bhaktapur is an ancient city and is renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture, colorful festivals, traditional dances and indigenous lifestyle of Newari community. The best place to visit of the city is Durbar Square, where in addition to the royal palace, several temples are also situated. The whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, many of the buildings in Durbar Square in Bhaktapur were damaged in the 2015 earthquake.

1. Kathmandu

flickr/wildbindi

Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal and the namesake of the Kathmandu Valley. A crowded metropolis of more than 1 million inhabitants, Kathmandu is a chaotic mix of tourist shops, trekking agencies, hotels, restaurants, religious sites and artisan workshops. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here. At present, the city’s famous Durbar Square is still undergoing restoration after the recent earthquakes.

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