{"id":14052,"date":"2021-03-11T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/?p=14052"},"modified":"2021-03-10T21:36:29","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T21:36:29","slug":"kathmandu-city-of-temples-doorway-to-the-himalaya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/kathmandu-city-of-temples-doorway-to-the-himalaya\/","title":{"rendered":"Kathmandu: City of Temples & Doorway to the Himalaya"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kathmandu<\/a>\u00a0is crazy, chaotic and intoxicating. Motorbikes jolt along jam-packed streets, fighting against an endless current of pedestrians. Brightly coloured bric-a-brac and exotic fruits spill from overloaded shop fronts. A discordant fusion of Sanskrit mantras, reverberating bells and Nepali pop music provide the overture.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by\u00a0Kerensa Pickett<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kathmandu is my all-time favourite city in Asia. However, for the first-time visitor, arriving in Nepal\u2019s capital city can be an overpowering experience. It is so crammed full of culture that deciding upon an itinerary is a disorientating task, But don\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll soon acclimatise and learn to the love the mayhem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catch these highlights to find yourself in the Kathmandu\u2019s thrall:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Boudhanath Stupa<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kathmandu is dotted with stupas (dome-shaped Buddhist shrines) but the most iconic of these is undoubtably Boudhanath. This spiritual landmark dominates the skyline and\u00a0is a must-see on your exploration of Kathmandu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need to Know: Walking around a stupa is a meditative and purifying act which should be done\u00a0clockwise<\/u><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Swayambhunath<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by\u00a0Ben Pauer<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Swayambhunath<\/a>\u00a0is better known as \u2018the monkey temple\u2019 amongst travellers and strangers to Sanskrit. This impressive shrine sits at the top of a mighty hill (\u2026and an unyieldingly steep set of steps!) that overlooks the Kathmandu Valley. Worshippers can be seen circling the stupa at all hours; if\u00a0the weather is on your side, I recommend coming in time for sunset or sunrise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026Oh, and do not<\/em> bring food! Monkeys rule the roost and they are ruthless bounty hunters when they spy snacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Pashupatinath Temple<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sprawling across the banks of the Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is not only impressive in size but also in stature: as one of the most significant sites dedicated to Lord Shiva on the planet, Hindus from all over Nepal and India come to worship here. The UNESCO cultural heritage site is also where Hindus come to be cremated, a potentially unnerving public sight for an uneducated tourist. If you were only to\u00a0take a tour of one site in Kathmandu<\/a>, let it be here.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A\u00a0taste\u00a0of tradition<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by\u00a0Ashwini Chaudhary<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While dal bhat (rice and lentil soup) is the national staple, Nepal\u2019s cuisine is as varied as its landscape. An intricate tapestry of flavours and fares is showcased in the capital city: from warming mountain foods like yak butter tea, dhindo (a stodgy staple) and hot momos (dumplings) to Newari-style lentil cakes and tender buffalo. I strongly advocate trying it all! Munch your way through\u00a0the ten best foods you have to try in Kathmandu<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0learn from a local<\/a>\u00a0and perfect a recipe for yourself.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Take a time out<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Whether seeking solace from the commotion of Thamal or looking to rest your feet after a morning of circling stupas, the\u00a0Garden of Dreams<\/a>\u00a0is your secret hideaway. The stately gardens have been beautifully restored and manicured since the 1920s and provide a pocket of peace and tranquillity, offering calm in the eye of the storm. Watch romances blossom between the local youth and sit back and relax in the sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Run for the hills<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Kathmandu provides the base camp for almost all treks into the Himalayas. Stock up on food, outdoor gear and emergency supplies before venturing off on a world-famous hike: Langtang Valley, Poon Hill, the Annapurna circuit and, of course, the one and only Everest. Waking up to snowy mountain views at Annapurna Base Camp is an experience I will never forget.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is merely a shortlist of my favourite things to do in Kathmandu. What are your most treasured memories of Nepal\u2019s colourful capital?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Scouting out sublime stupas, culinary delights and record breaking heights <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":14065,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,20,940,1311],"tags":[41,77,295,386,1312,1522],"yoast_head":"\nKathmandu: City of Temples & Doorway to the Himalaya | The Guidebook - isango!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Scouting out sublime stupas, culinary delights and record breaking heights Kathmandu: City of Temples & Doorway to the Himalaya\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/kathmandu-city-of-temples-doorway-to-the-himalaya\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kathmandu: City of Temples & Doorway to the Himalaya | The Guidebook - 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Her father grew up in Calcutta, mother in Borneo, siblings in California and Sasha in Swindon! A sense of injustice, a good measure of sibling rivalry and a fiery passion for adventure have fueled her travels ever since. Sasha has been lucky enough to tick a few escapades off her bucket list: bungee jumping in Brazil, road tripping in Australia to name two. Not one to be landlocked, she also loves hopping around Europe. 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