10 Most Interesting Places in Nepal

1. Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu Valley, the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, is the first stop for the majority of visitors to the country. The valley contains three fabled cities, Kathmandu, Patan (Lalitpur) and Bhaktapur. The history of the Katmandu Valley begins with the Buddhist saint Manjushree who slashed a passage through the surrounding green hills to drain out the primordial waters and make it inhabitable. Over the centuries, a refined urban civilization emerged, built on a unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism. Dynasties came and went. Trade and the arts flourished. Its deeply religious Newar inhabitants built fabulous cities and artistic temples that attracted devout pilgrims as well as rampaging invaders. In the late 18th century, following the founding of modern Nepal within more or less the present boundaries, Kathmandu was made as the capital. Kathmandu, the largest city in Nepal, is situated at an altitude of 1,350 m. Out of ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven cultural heritage sites are located in this valley, including three famous Durbar Square in each of the cities, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple and Changu Narayan.

2. Nagarkot

Nagarkot, situated 32 km east of Kathmandu, is one of the most scenic spot in Bhaktapur District. The place famous for its spectacular sunrise view of the Himalaya when the weather is clear. Many visitors travel to Nagarkot from Kathmandu and stay overnight just because to witness and enjoy the breathtaking sunrise view of the snow-topped peaks of the Himalaya range, especially the world's most renowned Mount Everest. Beside the beautiful sunrise scenery, Nagarkot also offers excellent view of the Indrawati River. The valleys that surrounding the river offer another beautiful view when the area break out in a rich kaleidoscope of different coloured flowers in Spring. The colourful flowers with the serene backdrop of snow-covered mountains have made Nagarkot becomes one of the most beautiful and interesting places in Nepal.

3. Pokhara

Pokhara is an enchanting city adorned with nature's finest manifestations, the glittering fish-tail summit, blue water lakes, gorges and deep ravines. It is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations and is 200 km away from Kathmandu. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tail summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it creates an ambience of peace and magic. The valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forest gushing river, clear lakes and the world famous views of the Himalaya. Pokhara is connected by air as well or by road from Kathmandu and Bhairawa, a border town near India. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagari, Manasulu, Machchhapuchhre, five peaks of Annapurna and others.

4. Lumbini

Lumbini, the place where Lord Buddha was born, is a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims as well as visitors from many different parts of the world, and also is regarded as a symbol of peace and understanding in the world community. Lumbini, like the Buddha, stands peacefully and calm, away from the crowds of the cities, on the southern plains of the country, surrounded by forests. Lord Buddha is believed to have been born in Lumbini as Prince Sidhartha, when his mother Queen Mayadevi of Kapilbastu stopped to rest on her way to her parent's palace in a neighboring country some 2,600 years ago. People here also believe that she chose the place because of its peaceful setting. Although there are no cities or heavy population nearby, there are plans to develop the area, with gardens, trees, canal, accommodation facilities and even a library for those who comes to Lumbini.

5. Tsum Valley

Tsum Valley, located in a trans-Himalaya region of Gorkha, is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage valley. Tsum comes from the Tibetan work 'Tsombo', which means vivid. Against the majestic backdrop of the Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal and Baudha Himal ranges, this serene Himalayan valley is rich in ancient art, culture, and religion. The local people are mostly of Tibetan origin and speak a unique dialect. Trails are strewn with artistic chortens and lined with mani walls made of thousands of stone slabs carved with deities and prayers. The Tsum valley has a long history of Buddhism. The Buddhist saint Milarepa is believed to have meditated in the caves of there mountains. Traditionally Tsum valley was a culturally distinct geographical area called 'Tsum Tso Chuksum', which means thirteen provinces ruled as a single territory. The ancient remains of the Tsum Kingdom are still visible today. Due to its remoteness and inaccessibility, this sacred valley and its people have been bypassed by mainstream development for centuries. As a result, the unique culture of this valley has remained intact.

6. Mustang

Mustang, located north of the Annapurna range, is very isolated and geographically a part of Tibet. At the time of the Kingdom of Lo, Mustang prospered and dominated the Kali Gandaki River trade between India and Tibet. Now incorporated into Nepal, Mustang still remained off limits to foreigners until 1992. It is a land where mountains over 8000 m high cast shadows over the world's deepest canyon. A weird and wonderful desert land where nomadic shepherds herd their flocks across desolate mountain slopes, coloured brown, blue, yellow and red by natural earth pigments and sculpted by the forces of wind. The scene is completed by the addition of picturesque white painted villages, Tibetan monasteries, prayer walls, chortens and the fairy-tale walled city of Lo Manthang, the capital of Mustang.

7. Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is one of the most interesting tourist destination in Nepal due to its natural wonders. The park encompasses an area of 932 km² in southern centre of Nepal and consists of a diversity of ecosystems, including the Churia Hills, lakes and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia Hills rise slowly towards the east from the altitude of 150 m to more than 800 m. The western portion of the park is comprised of the lower hills but more rugged and it shares its western boundary with the ''Parsa Wildlife Reserve''. One of the major activities provided by the national park is elephant safari where the visitors may have the opportunity to get a closer view of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros while riding on the elephants. One may also get a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger. Beside that, the park is also home for more that 50 mammal species, over 525 birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. Chitwan was the first national park of Nepal formed in 1973 and it was also a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1984 as recognising its unique ecosystems of international significance.

8. Daman

Daman, a small village situated 80 km south-west of Kathmandu at an altitude of about 2,400 m. It is located on the Tribhuvan highway in between Kathmandu and the town of Birgunj which can be reached in four hours drive from Kathmandu. For the view of the breathtaking grandeur of the world’s highest peaks extending in one glittering are from far west of Dhaulagiri to far east of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) there is no better place than Daman. There is a view tower fitted with long range telescopes to help visitors have a better view of the serene Himalaya chain.

9. Janakpur

Janakpur city, the Headquarter of Dhanusha district of Nepal, is about 400 km south-east of Kathmandu. This is a popular city in the Terai region. Janakpur is also known as Janakpurdham (Dham in Nepali means a scared region) It has a temple named Janaki, which is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Sita. This region also offers an excellent opportunity for visitors to learn about Mithila culture, and people from in and around this peaceful region of Nepal. Hindu pilgrims from India and Nepal visit this region to pay their respect to the Goddess, while many foreigners make a side-trip to the region to learn about the unique Janakpur-life.

10. Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a famous small town in Solukhumbu District in the Sagarmatha Zone of north-eastern Nepal. It sits at an elevation of 3440 m and is close to the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha or Mt. Everest. Namche Bazaar is the entrance to the Everest region and is a popular resting or final destination for trekkers. The place is also the home of legendary Sherpas, a high altitude group of people who are famous for helping the mountaineering travellers reach their destination. Namche Bazaar is used as the starting point for trekking to the other high elevation towns like Thyangboche, Debuche, Periche, Pangboche, Lobuche and Gorakhshep which are all famous for their own reasons in the Everest region. It is also the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park which is renowned as world's highest national park and natural heritage site as well.