Introduction
Nepal is a beautiful Himalayan country with many great places for you to visit. The country offers stunning mountain scenery, important religious and cultural sites, great trekking opportunities, and abundant wildlife. Here is a look at the top 10 best and most popular places for you to visit when you travel to Nepal:
- Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the bustling, chaotic capital city of Nepal. The city has many historic and cultural sites that you can explore. Key attractions for you include Durbar Square with its old royal palace, intricate Hindu temples like Pashupatinath, ancient Buddhist stupas like Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and fascinating bazaars. Make sure to also try the momos, dal bhat, and other delicious Nepali food when you are in Kathmandu.
- Patan
Just a short drive from Kathmandu is Patan, the second largest city in the valley. Patan has an expansive Durbar Square lined with incredibly detailed ancient temples and palaces that provide a window into skilled craftsmanship. Highlights for you to see are the Krishna Temple, Golden Temple, and statue of King Bhupatindra Malla. The Patan Museum is also a wonderful place for you to learn about bronze casting designs.
- Pokhara
Pokhara is a stunning city situated on a lakeside with clear views of the Annapurna Mountain Range. It is one of Nepal’s most scenic and relaxing destinations. There you can admire the peaks, go boating on Phewa Lake, see waterfalls like Devi’s Falls, or visit the Peace Pagoda. Be sure to also check out the vibrant old bazaar and try some fish from the lake.
- Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park offers a wildlife and nature experience like no other place in Nepal. There you have the chance to see rhinos, sloth bears, leopards, crocodiles and hopefully tigers (if you are lucky) during jungle safaris, canoe trips, and from observation towers. Chitwan also has elephant and jeep safaris available along with cultural shows at lodges.
- Annapurna Region
The Annapurna Region has some of Nepal’s best trekking routes and mountain scenery you’ll ever enjoy. The Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp routes allow you to walk through charming mountain villages, cross thorung pass with views of 8,000 m peaks, admire sunrise/sunsets over the Himalayas, and stop in guesthouses run by friendly Nepali families along the way.
- Everest Base Camp
You can access the world’s tallest mountain itself on a trek to Everest Base Camp. Starting from Lukla, you can follow trails to the heart of Sherpa country, admiring sights like the monastery at Tengboche, views of Ama Dablam, and glaciers as you walk. Once at Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp, you stand right before the towering height and might of Mount Everest. The view is truly breath-taking.
- Lumbini
As the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini is an important spiritual site with ancient monasteries and a sacred Bodhi tree you can visit. You can explore archaeological remains at the Maya Devi Temple revealing ancient bricks and the exact spot marking Siddhartha Gautama’s birth. Make sure to also see the museum on Buddha’s life and bring a simple kata scarf to offer when you tour various monasteries built by countries like China, Japan, and Thailand.
- Langtang Region
The Langtang region lies just North of Kathmandu and offers shorter trekking routes with great mountain views. You can complete the Langtang Valley trek in 1-2 weeks, stopping to admire waterfalls and towering Langtang Lirung peak. Further North, the holy lakes at Gosainkunda provide even more stunning alpine scenery and views of the Ganesh Himal.
- Janakpur
Janakpur is an important religious city for Hindus in the Terai plains region of Nepal. Pilgrims come to Janakpur to visit the ancient Janaki Mandir, dedicated to Sita from the epic Ramayana. Janakpur is also where colorful dance and costume dramas reenacting scenes from Hindu myths are performed regularly, which you can attend.
- Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is a trading village and popular stopover point along trekking routes in the Khumbu region. As you follow trails from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, you will pass through this town, which has shops, restaurants, and hotels catering to trekkers. The Saturday bazaar lets you sample yak cheese, watch cultural performances in costume, and mingle with locals from remote mountain villages who walk here to trade and sell goods.
Conclusion
From the bustle of Kathmandu to peaceful lakeside Pokhara, important religious sites like Lumbini, and trekking in the tallest Himalayan peaks, Nepal offers incredible diversity. Make sure to visit these ten places to experience the best attractions Nepal's vibrant culture, nature, and scenery have to offer. The welcoming spirit and beauty of the country will capture your heart like few places on Earth can.