Nepal Day 6: Kathmandu Durbar Square

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Spending two nights in Pokhara is fairly sufficient to cover most of the top tourist attractions; like strolling along Phewa Lake, take a guided paddle boat from the lakeside to visit Tal Barahi Temple, sunrise viewing and tandem paragliding in Sarangkot, and also dropby at the well-known Devi's Fall. If you are interested with trekking, then you should consider staying longer here cause Pokhara offers plenty of hill trek such as Poll Hill, Annapurna Circuit and more. But because our travel period was short and limited, we need to move on to our next destination, Nagarkot. 

Because the journey from Pokhara to Nagarkot takes approximately 7-hours ride, hence we deserve a break before continue for this long and windy journey. Since we need to pass through Kathamandu in between the journey, hence our driver suggested to drop us to visit one of Kathmandu's popular attractions which is the Katmandu Durbar Square. 

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Durbar, literally means Royal Palace in Nepali language - is a home to temples dating back to third century. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three squares within Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Guess we're luckily we managed to witness the whole place before the devastating earthquake took place a year after we left. The aftermath caused several buildings in the square collapsed and heavily damaged. Though there are undergo post-earthquake renovation and restoration, but it will never be the same as before again. 

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Surrounded by both Hindu and Buddhist temples, ancient statues, fountains, ponds and countless of courtyards, Kathmandu Durbar Square is arguable the largest concentration of ancient buildings and the greatest achievements if the Malla Dynasty. If you are into architecture, this place is highly recommended to see the real Nepal architectures with multicolours engravings on the doors and walls. Even exotic and erotic carvings can be seen at this part of the region.  

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Travel Tips:

1. Entrance fee of Katmandu Durbar Square for foreign visitor is 1,000 rupees. If you are interested to visit the square more than once, do bring along passport and a photo to get a Visitor Pass which allows you to visit many times for free.
2.  There are many entrances to Durbar Square. Do ask your tour guide first before enter.
3. The Nepalese are quite conservative. Hence, do not wear backless costumes.
4. Take off your hat and sunglasses when visiting the palace.
5. Before taking any photos of the local people, seek for their permission. 

#6: Kumari Ghar - A huge brick building on Durbar Square


#7: We requested the driver to stop here. Isn't it so beautiful and serene?

The entire visit of Kathmandu Durbar Square took us more than 3 hours - told you the square is indeed significantly huge. However, I'm not so sure with the current situation of the square cause I heard there are several temples and palaces are closed as they are dangerous to visit due to the earthquake aftermath. Right after the visit, we continue with another 1 hour and 30 minutes road trip to our last stop of the day. 

#8: Hotel View Point - where we overnight in Nagarkot.


#9: Cozy and comfortable beds. Just that quite cold cause Nagarkot is located quite high on the hill.

#10: Asians always be Asians. Not even reach a week, but we already craving for Asian food.