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.
