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Nepal
Kathmandu
 Kathmandu
is the capital of Nepal, and was founded in 723AD. Sitting
1350 meters above sea level, Kathmandu is a tourist
friendly travel destination, and is a fascinating place
to visit. With its tranquil pagoda temples, grand palaces
and royal mansions the sightseeing opportunities are
endless. Sitting slightly South-East of Nepal's centre,
the city is encircled by the Ring Road, with the main
bus station in the North and Tribhuvan international
airport to the East. Most travellers head to the old
city of Kathmandu, between the Vishnumati River and
Kantipath, the main North-South road.
Durbar Square
 Very
much the centre of old Kathmandu, Durbar Square is a
huddle of temples and shrines, with intricately carved
roofs, doors and windows. Many buildings are ancient,
having survived the great earthquake of 1933. A good
place to begin exploring is the Kasthamandap, the oldest
building in the valley. Although its history is uncertain,
it was believed to have been built around the 12th century.
At first it was a community centre, then a temple to
the god Gorakhnath, and more recently, a gathering place
for porters. Nearby is the Maju Deval, a Shiva temple
with platform steps that are ideal for watching hawkers,
rickshaw wallahs and souvenir sellers offering all sorts
of services to tourists.
Other sights include: the Great Bell which, when rung,
is believed to ward off evil spirits; the Jaganath Temple,
famed for its array of erotic carvings; the fearsome
stone image of the six-armed Kala Bhairab; and the Taleju
Temple, easily the most magnificent of the square's
many temples.
Bhaktapur
 Bhaktapur
is in many ways the most medieval of the three major
cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Despite recent development,
the city still retains a distinctly timeless air, with
much of its glorious architecture dating from the end
of the 17th century. Most sights can be easily traversed
by foot and include yet another Durbar Square, which
is infinitely larger than Kathmandu's and has its fair
share of temples, statues and columns, many with grisly
histories behind them.
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