A heritage city Bhaktapur is situated 17 km from Kathmandu. It takes 45 minutes by bus to get to Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur city tour is also Known as tour to ‘The Living Museum’ as it still retains its medieval fragrance.
Bhaktapur city used to be a long hour journey beofre construction of the present 4 lane wide road; but after this new highway – Bhaktapur can be a day tour destination inside kathamndu valley.
However – the locals of Bhaktapur has special tourist attraction activities which happens every evenings. From this prospect – Bhaktapur city tour can be overnight stay tour as well.
Living Museum or say heritage city of Kathmandu valley – “Bhaktapur” is famous because it has preserved culture and tradition till this date. Evening Bhajan mandalis, stone carved buildings and pavements, architecture resembling the history and many monuments from the early medieval period are some of the major insights of city.
To take you in the tour via this Bhaktapur city tour blog follow the major monuments and tourist attraction – few but major sites among many things to see in Bhaktapur City Tour.
Insides of Bhaktapur City tour – a Living Museum
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square –
In contrast to 3 famous historic palace in Kathmandu. Bhaktapur has the fascinating architecture of palace with 55 windows and uncountable fashion art. Bhaktapur Palace was the seat of the malla king (during Malla regime in Nepal) before 1769 AD. The building now houses the National Art Gallery. Palace has a famous Golden Gate dating back to 1756 AD. Golden gate is not only the entrance to the marvelous Taleju Temple Complex but also gateway to number of artistic courtyards inside the palace. One of the famous courtyard inside the palace of Bhaktapur is includes the Royal Bath pond with snake god statue and precious stone tap embedded with expensive metallic art.
Pic – Clay pots at pottery square – These are antique Traditional byproduct of historic city Bhaktapur
- The Big Bell of Bhaktapur Palace – The Big Bell in the square was erected by Ranajit Malla (1722-1769), last Malla king of Bhaktapur. By then the bell was used for paying homage to Goddess Taleju and for assemblies of general public.
- Taumadhi Square – A famous square of Bhaktapur Durbar area, Taumadhi square has Nyatapola Temple dates back to 1702 AD. The colossal five-storied edifice is the country’s tallest pagoda temple.The temple is famous as five story temple in Nepal. 55 windows palace and Nyatapola are identity of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The struts, doors, windows and tympanums each are embellished with attractively carved divine figures. Perfect portray in those creative carving reflects outstanding tradition of Newar craftsmen, these carving can be seen and if you want to buy Bhaktaur is rich in these artistic wood carvings.
Nyatapola temple is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Laxmi, the manifestation of female force and creativity. Next to the Nyatapola Temple is the rectangular shaped Bhairavnath Temple. It houses a gilded bust of Bhairav, the ferocious manifestation of Lord Shiva. The three-storied pagoda style Bhairab Temple was razed to the ground by the 1934-earthquake, and its latest renovation was undertaken by Bhaktapur Municipality in 1995 AD by then.
- Dattatreya Square – Another famous square of Bhaktapur durbar premises Datatrya has the Dattatreya Temple, obviously this is the main attraction of the Square. The temple was constructed by King Yaksha Malla. We believe, the giant three-storied temple is built with the stem of a single tree. Despite of series of calamities, it still bears testimony to the incredible achievement made in those regal days of the Nepalese history.
Outsides of Bhaktapur Heritage city
- Changu Narayan Temple – Changu temple is 4 Km to the north of Bhaktapur and 22 Km east of Kathmandu in one of the hill top of kathmandu valley. And also, it is the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley. Some of the historical findings in the temple dates back to 4th century BC. Changu temple is a scenic view point; whereas the Temple is situated at the altitude of about 1700m.
Clearly, the most authentic inscription, located in the stone script of Changu Narayan dates back to 464 AD. Script on the stone is about the Lichhavi King Mandeva. Changu Narayan Temple , located high in the hill just to the north of Bhaktapur, is the oldest existing pagoda temple in Nepal. The temple was dedicated to lord Vishnu. Changunarayan Temple was built by the Lichhavi King in the Fifth Century and was listed in the UNESCO world Heritage Monument List in 1979 AD.
- Surya Vinayak – Suryavinayak is at the walking distance of about 2 KM to the south of the city. Suryavinayak is a city of Bhaktapur moreover it is famous for the holy shrine of god Ganesh (God of well beginning and successful completion of work) in the nearby Ganesh temple in a hilltop of Bhaktapur. Ganesh Temple is placed in a sylvan setting, so as to catch the first ray of the rising sun. Ganesh temple is not only a good picnic spot among locals but also a touristic destination flanked by many attractive landscapes.
- Thimi (Madhyapur) – Pottery work is a famous thing to see in Thimi. In addition to pottery, Thimi has made a name for itself in the age-old art of making colorful masks of various deities, demons and animals. Thimi also produces much of the fresh vegetables for the Kathmandu valley. Thimi is an old settlement of Newar which reflects in the narrow alley old fashioned houses.
- Nagarkot tour to hilltop – Nagarkot hill is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 2195 meter to the north east corner of Bhaktapur at distance of 18 kilometers. Hill top is famous for its panoramic view of mountains with sunrise and sunset view. Nagarkot tour has availability of different types of accommodations from Five star hotels to small cottage lodges. This hilltop is one of the most scenic spots in entire Kathamndu valley and a best hilltop of Bhaktapur district. Dhulikhel is renown for its beautiful sunrise over the wide mountain range. It also offers an excellent view of the Indrawati river valley to the east. On the other hand, you can see Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang and many other mountains in distance.
- Dhulikhel Old Bazzar – Dhulikhel town is another popular hill station near Bhaktapur, particularly popular for scenic sunrise and sunset views over the Himalayan panorama. Dhulikhel is also the center point of century long trade route between Nepal and Tibet (China). When you see the mountain above the cloud, lower valley will be covered with clouds. The views from Dhulikhel is similar to the view of Nagarkot hill. Differing from Nagarkot tour, in Dhulikhel Many travelers visit Dhulikhel as their stop point on the way to Namobuddha.
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