~ Top 10 Travel Destinations in Nepal ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Travel Destinations in Nepal


1. Kathmandu Durbar Square   



Protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site, Kathmandus Durbar Square is a cluster of palaces, temples and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries and it also used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. The glorious monuments are frozen in time with little to nothing changing through the many years past. Even to this day the site is the main point for religious, urban and social point of the unique town. On the square there are many striking and moving pieces, one of those is an ancient inscription carved in stone on the side of a palace with writing in 15 different languages of the 17th when it was inscribed. Aside from being an old standing testament to the previous dwellers the squares palaces have museum-like exhibits. The square is one place in Nepal that has to be seen to understand all that it has to offer its visitors.

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2. Boudhanath Stupa   



Boudhanath Stupa is only about 6 km from Kathmandu, heading from the downtown area of Kathmandus eastside. The Stupa is the largest in the valley, it climbs the sky at 36 meter high and it is one of the most uniquely designed temples in all of Nepal, even till this day. The Temple has been known by many names since it was built, the one commonly remembered is "Khasti". Its surely not the only stupa in the area; there are actually 45 or more temples and Buddhist monasteries nearby. The Buddhist religion in Nepal played a big role in its development and this is very noticeable in the early century architecture that fills the lands surrounding the Boudhanath Stupa. There is a lot that brings visitors to the holy stupa but one of the main attractions to the giant temple is that it is said to entomb the remains of the great Kassapa Buddha.

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3. Pokhara   



As many will tell you, Pokhara is a place of amazing natural beauty unique to its own area and its the second largest city in Nepal based on population. Aside from the relaxing views and vistas, the locals create a tranquil atmosphere as a cultural side effect. Pokhara is a place to let your outdoorsmen side free as there are many trails and peaceful places you can find to relax like so many before you have. On the other side of the spectrum there is a ton of outdoor sports to let your inner athlete frolic in, such as rafting and paragliding. Outside of the sights, activities and peaceful retreats, Pokhara has a night scene too and it is always booming with people. The clean air and inspiring sights will surely have you coming back every year, even if it is just to visit the Nepalese friends you are bound to make during your stay.

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4. Sagarmatha National Park   



Trekking northeast of Kathmandu will bring you into Sagarmatha National Park, which covers an area of about 2,300 square miles of the Himalayan ecological zone, at least according to the survey of the land in 1976. As a part of the park grounds are the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi Rivers. Being that the park is primarily composed of rough grounds, does not deter visitors from hiking the precious land, seeking to capture their own piece of the Himalayas. Speaking of the Himalayas, The gorges of the Himalayan Mountains in the park range in height from 2,845 meters to the heavens as Mt. Everest is located in the park. UNESCO named the park a World Heritage Site in 1979 for its unique natural, cultural and landscape characteristics. The trip to Nepal is not complete without visiting Sagarmatha, which is actually the native name for Mt. Everest.

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5. Nagarkot   



If you really want to get a different perspective of the Himalayas then all you need to do is travel 32 kilometres east of Kathmandu and stop in Nagarkot. There is a lookout tower that gives visitors a 360 degree view of the mountain ranges majestic peaks and the Kathmandu valley. Nagarkot is one of the best places to set as home base while visiting Nepal, having many luxurious hotels and resorts for travellers. The city also has some of best sunrise views you can find in Nepal, especially when capturing a picture from the lookout tower as the sun steadily creeps up from behind the Himalayan Mountains. Clean air and cool winds keep you feeling fresh and rejuvenated as you explore the miraculous lands of Nagarkot and its surrounding areas. The ancient monks that lived in Nagarkot knew the soul releasing power the city had, find out for yourself what the magical city offers.

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6. Tengboche Monastery   



On the Tibetan side of Mt. Everest is the Tengboche Monastery, which was built in 1926 by the Sherpa community; the monastery took three years to build. Tengbaoche Monastery was the first celibate monastery to be built in Khumbu. It was also the first time monks performed the Mani Rimdu dances; the traditional dance has lived on for years now. The monastery was envisioned by a great Lama of the time and he predicted difficulties during the construction which there were many but he knew that the difficulties in construction were a sign that the construction was going to end with an overall good result. The great Lama envisioned the monasterys rise while in his 5th incarnation; he was one of the most enlightened monks of the early 1900s and late 1800s. The monastery is a beautiful structure of the early 20th century and the atmosphere in itself is soul inspiring.

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7. Chitwan National Park   



The Chitwan National Park only covers a spread of 932 kilometres but the lands are so diversified that you will feel as though you have travelled to another part of Nepal as you conquer one of the mountain peaks. The lands are primarily rough terrain and jungle in nature. This park is a place where you can come upon elephants congregating in open patches in the jungles and hostile waters great for rafting. Bird watchers and nature and enthusiasts will find their selfs at home in the park, maybe so much that they may want to set up a tent, the park has over 450 unique species of birds that call the land their home as well as 45 species of reptiles/amphibians and around 43 different species of mammals. Visitors can also partake in guided jungle hikes, Terai culture and even safari like jungle adventures in a 4 wheel drive truck or SUV.

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8. Lumbini   



Lumbini is recognized from devout Buddhists all throughout the world as the proclaimed birthplace of Lord Buddha. The pilgrimage site of in the Rupandehi District of Nepal is marked down as a world heritage site. Almost any time of day you can find Buddhists paying homage to Buddha in the sacred garden where the "Enlightened One" was born. This site is blessed with beautiful stupas and monasteries by many international Buddhist communities. Lumbini is the most holy and sacred of places where those who seek enlightenment and release of mind can come and find their spiritual selves. Finding your enlightened karma in Lumbini is quite possible and the monks of Lumbini release themselves at the holy site every day. There is an archaeological site just near Lumbini that dates back to the 8th century and the ancient palace ruins are said to have housed 13 layers of human habitation, the palace is where Lord Buddha spent his last years at least it has been claimed.

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9. Bardiya National Park   



In western Terai, the Bardiya National Park, serving as a sanctuary for tigers, is the largest park of the region measuring 968 kilometres squared. Aside from being a natural sanctuary for tigers, its also home to a plethora of different size mammals, deer, reptiles, birds and a herd of the last known herd of elephants of the region kept in captivity. Trekking the area and coming in contact with its wildlife is an amazing experience. The outdoor adventures in the park are numerous and guides can show you where the best sights are as well as the raging white waters you can raft on. You may spot one of the estimated 22 royal Bengal tigers that are protected in the land, a sight few have had. There are calculated to be around 100 rhinos roaming the lands as well but just like the Bengal tigers they are quite elusive and are rarely captured in photos.

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10. Changu Narayan Temple   



A pagoda-styled Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan, the Changu Narayan Temple is one of the most old age temples surviving in Nepal. Originally the ancient temple was built early in the 4th century; it had to be rebuilt though in the 1700s due to a fire destroying its original design. All of the original stone carving remained intact in the courtyard, where they range from the 5th to the 13th century. The group of carving makes the Changu Narayan Temple home to Nepals biggest collection of ancient arts. The temple is gorgeous and completely unique but visitors usually flock to see the stone statues cut from generations past, bas-relief carvings and the ancient writings inscribed on the stones of the temples courtyard. Visitors step back in time as they enter the Changu Narayan Temple grounds, almost instantly the supernatural feeling of stepping through time comes upon you.