Bhaktapur, also called Bhadgaon, is a beautiful ancient city located 12 km east of Kathmandu. It sits at 1,401 meters above sea level and is known for its old temples, brick houses, pottery, and wood carvings. Walking through Bhaktapur feels like stepping back in time.
Main Attraction
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Famous for the 55 Window Palace and the Golden Gate. The square is filled with temples, statues, and ancient art from the Malla period.
- Nyatapola Temple: The tallest temple in Nepal with five stories. Dedicated to a Tantric goddess, it survived the 1933 earthquake.
- Bhairavnath Temple: A pagoda-style temple dedicated to Bhairav, the God of Terror, standing beside Nyatapola.
- Dattatreya Square: Home to the Dattatreya Temple, said to be made from a single tree, and the famous Peacock Window.
- Siddha Pokhari: A large pond from the Licchavi period filled with fish and surrounded by stone idols.
- Thimi: A nearby town known for pottery and farming; visit the Balkumari Temple and Karunamaya Shrine.
- Surya Binayak Temple: A sacred Ganesh temple in a forest near Bhaktapur, popular on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- Changu Narayan Temple (UNESCO Site): One of the oldest temples in the valley, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, with amazing wood and stone carvings.
