LIVING IN KATHMANDU
Life in Kathmandu is like nowhere else! The city lies under the shadow of Mt. Everest, and attracts a constant stream of ambitious travelers keen to unlock the secrets of this ancient place and to enjoy the cosmopolitan hustle and bustle of some districts!
About the City
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and it sits towards the east of the country, in the verdant Kathmandu Valley. The city has an elevation of 1,400m, making it one of the highest cities in the world. The city of Kathmandu is named after a structure in Durbar Square called by the Sanskrit name Kāsstha mandapa “Wooden shelter”. It was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake.
It is the most developed and populated place in Nepal with majority of offices and headquarters being located in the valley, making it the economic hub of Nepal. It is popular with tourists for its unique architecture, and rich culture that includes the highest number of jatras (street festivals) in Nepal and is also a starting point for all the trekkers and climbers visiting Nepal. It has at least 130 important monuments, including several pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists.
There are seven World Heritage Sites within the valley itself.It is an ancient city, steeped in Buddhist and Hindu culture, but in 1950 it opened its doors to the international community and it has rapidly become one of the most cosmopolitan cities.Nepali and Nepali Bhasa are the official national languages of Nepal, but English is widely spoken and understood by both locals and expats. Kathmandu has a large and well-established expat community which includes people of many different nationalities.
Know about the culture and leisure activities in KathmanduThe culture of Kathmandu dates back thousands of years, and a lot of the art and architecture is still beautifully preserved. You can visit the National Museum of Nepal and the Natural History Museum of Nepal to get an overview of the country’s extraordinary history and art, but you don’t have to go out of your way to see some of the finest art in Kathmandu.Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and stone carvings appear in almost every public space, and every private garden – some of them are many hundreds of years old. The city’s temples are lavishly decorated in extraordinary detail, and paint a apicture of the city’s unique history.
How do you get to Kathmandu
Kathmandu is not an easy place to get to by land. If your are planning to get to Kathmandu by road then please note that during the rainy season, many of the southern border roads are impassable, making entry from India very difficult. Entry from the northern side is also nearly impossible, as it involves a treacherous trek across the Himalayan Mountains.
In order to get to Kathmandu, you are going to have to fly. The Tribhuvan International Airport connects the city with the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia, India and China. And offers regional flights to other nearby destinations in Nepal.
Know about the culture and leisure activities in KathmanduThe culture of Kathmandu dates back thousands of years, and a lot of the art and architecture is still beautifully preserved. You can visit the National Museum of Nepal and the Natural History Museum of Nepal to get an overview of the country’s extraordinary history and art, but you don’t have to go out of your way to see some of the finest art in Kathmandu.Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and stone carvings appear in almost every public space, and every private garden – some of them are many hundreds of years old. The city’s temples are lavishly decorated in extraordinary detail, and paint a picture of the city’s unique history.
How do you travel in and around Kathmandu?
Driving in Kathmandu is only recommended for the very experienced. The roads are narrow, steep and winding, and traffic in the city center is notoriously heavy.Luckily, public transport is cheap and plentiful when you live in Kathmandu. You can lookout for heavily decorated buses that depart regularly from the central Ratna Park Bus Station to various locations in the suburbs and surrounding villages.
You can also find cabs which are very much expensive compared to bus rides or you can opt for renting scooters, bicycles or Motorbikes for travellingHowever, if you are travelling longer distances and wish to get to the extreme north, south or east of Nepal you should consider travelling by flight. Due to the extreme elevation and difficult roads, it can take several hours to travel a relatively short distance by road, and there are a lot of smaller airfields offering short commuter flights for a reasonable price.
Culture and Architecture
Temples that reflect Nepali culture and architecture in Kathmandu.
World Heritage Sites
7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Religion plays a huge role in the culture and leisure of Kathmandu, and festivals frequently fill the streets with music and dancing. Don’t be afraid to join in and experience Nepali culture first hand!
For leisure activities you can always opt for short get aways around Kathmandu valley.
Weekend Getaways
Popular weekend getaways from Kathmandu
Religion plays a huge role in the culture and leisure of Kathmandu, and festivals frequently fill the streets with music and dancing. Don’t be afraid to join in and experience Nepali culture first hand!
For leisure activities you can always opt for short get aways around Kathmandu valley.
Travel Destination Weekend Getaways
TOP 10 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN NEPAL
What do I eat in Nepal?
Nepal has been calling out to the world’s adventurers for decades and restaurants have sprung up in the backstreets of Kathmandu catering to every imaginable palate. You want pizzas? You got them! You want Thai curries? The lemongrass is already being pounded. You want Korean barbecues? The grill is already sizzling. You name it and with proper knowledge you get to eat Oriental (Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian) and Continental (Mediterranean, French, Italian). Despite its rugged location and patchy transport links, Kathmandu serves up the world in a menu.
The Nepalese however, have Daal Bhaat for their lunch and dinner. Daal bhaat isn’t just a meal in Nepal. This hearty combination of rice, lentil soup and vegetables is the fuel of the Himalaya. Trekkers can walk for weeks across the highest mountain range on earth, powered almost solely by this carb-packed treat. And another Nepalese favorite is momos. Delicious parcels of meat, cheese or vegetables wrapped in wheat-flour shells, the momo is the dish that binds Tibet, Nepal and India together – transported across the mountains by the wandering monks who introduced Tibetan Buddhism to the Himalaya. These magnificent morsels come steamed or fried, with a side dollop of spicy chilly sauce.
How safe and secure is Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is a relatively safe city however; it is worth taking some precautions.
It is safer to not carry much cash with you and if possible knowing a few words of Nepali or Nepali Bhasa would make many things easier for you.
In an emergency, you can contact the police by dialing 100