Nepal is rich in cultural and natural diversity. There are 10 natural and cultural heritages sites listed by UNESCO as a world heritage sites in Nepal. As per the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of cultural or natural significance. Nepal has a total of 4 World Heritage Sites; the Kathmandu valley and Lumbini as Cultural World Heritage Sites and the Chitwan and Sagarmatha National Park as Natural World Heritage Sites. The Kathmandu valley and Sagarmatha National Park were the first two locations to qualify for this designation all the way back in 1979. The Chitwan National Park soon followed in 1984 and the final location, Lumbini, was added in 1997. As UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each of these places have a wealth of fascinating culture, history or simply pure natural beauty and diversity to offer. Let’s take a closer look at the landmarks, monuments and natural grandeur that have designated these locations to be UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Listed below are the top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal.
Pashupatinath Temple
If you are planning to do any kind of Trekking in Nepal and then please don't miss to do 1/2 days Heritage tour in Nepal. One of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world, Pashupatinath is a millennia old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple complex consists of the main temple and compound, surrounded by a variety of smaller temples, ashrams and sculptures and is bordered by the holy Bagmati River to the east. Entry to the main temple is allowed only for Hindus but everyone is free to observe from the hills beside the Bagmati riverbanks. Observing the various rituals, ceremonies as well as funeral is a fascinating experience for tourists. A testament to the importance of this temple is the sheer amount of pilgrims it attracts, particularly during the holy occasions like Teej and Shivaratri where visitors number to hundreds of thousands in a single day. The Pashupatinath Temple was one of the first sites in Nepal to be designated as a UNSECO World Heritage Site (1979).
Highlights of Pashupatinath Temple
- Pashupatinath Temple is one of the oldest a oldest temple especially dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Shivaratri is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated annually in the Pashupatinath Temple
- Pashupatinath is considered as one of the powerful place to contemplate notions of death and mortality by Hindu culture.
- The Evening Aarati at Pashupatinath Temple is a mesmerizing ritual that is performed every day evening (around 6:00 PM)
- Pashupatinath temple is the home of the holy Sadhus
Entry Fee
- Free for Indian citizens
- For other tourists: NPR 1000
Boudhanath Stupa
If Pashupatinath is the holiest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, then its Buddhist counterpart has to be the Boudhanath Stupa. There are a number of Newar as well as Tibetan Buddhist myths and legends surrounding this amazing stupa’s origin while some records state that it was built by a Licchavi King Sivadeva as far back as the 5th Century CE. In present day, it is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and the whole surrounding area is a Buddhist-populated settlement with over 40 monasteries nearby. A large number of tourists, pilgrims as well as locals visit the Stupa every day, each for their own reasons. Chanting monks, spinning prayer wheels, flocks of pigeons, and the smell of incense are just a few factors that make up the unique atmosphere of this location.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the oldest monuments in Nepal, with its origins being tied to the origin of Kathmandu valley itself. Historical records and inscriptions have traced the origins of this stupa complex as far back 1500 years ago while religious myths and stories go even further. It is said that Swayambhunath, literally meaning self-sprung, was formed after the lake dried out gave rise to the current valley. This hilltop stupa is an amazing mixture of Hindu shrines and Buddhist stupas; two different forms of architecture co-existing in harmony. It is said there are 365 steps on the stairs that lead up to Swayambhunath. Aside from being a holy location for Hindus as well as Buddhists, the ideal location also means the view overlooking most of the Kathmandu valley is superb from here.
Changu Narayan Temple
Considered as the oldest temple in all of Nepal, Changu Narayan is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri and is surrounded by forest with a champak tree and a small village known as Changu Village. The temple is located around 14 kilometers east of Kathmandu. The stone inscriptions and pillar along with the temple and its various statues themselves have recorded it to be built as far back as the 464 AD. An information center as well as couple of museums are located in the vicinity if you would like to dwell further into the rich history and fascinating myths of Changunarayan.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Also known as the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three durbar squares in the Kathmandu Valley. This was the old royal palace and courtyard of the Mallas and Shahs of Kathmandu with a plethora of temples and shrines. The main palace complex was constructed as early as the 15th century while additional buildings and monuments were added as time went on. The notable things to explore here include the namesake monument Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Mandir, Nine storey Basantapur Tower, Sundari Chowk, Tribhuvan Museum, King Mahendra Memorial Museum and Kal Bhairab temple in its vicinity.
Entry fee for Kathmandu Durbar Square including Tribhuvan Museum |
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Foreign Nationals | NPR 1,000 |
SAARC Nationals | NPR 500 (BIMSTEC) |
Chinese | NPR 1,000 |
Nepalese | Free |
Remarks | Below 10 years free. |
Patan Durbar Square
Similar to the Kathmandu Durbar, the Patan Durbar Square is the old palace of the kingdom of Patan/Lalitpur. People believe that the town was named after King Yalamber, as Patan also translates to Yala. It is located around 8 km south-east of central Kathmandu. This palace complex is an excellent showcase of Newari architecture and craftsmanship. The courtyard is dotted with a number of Hindu as well as Buddhist monuments. Historical records have shown that Emperor Ashoka built parts of this Square way back in the 3rd century BCE. The notable places to visit in Patan Durbar Square include the Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple, Jagat Narayan Temple, Hari Shanker temple, Vishwanath temple, Bhimsen temple and Rato Machhendra Temple among others.
Entry fee for Patan Durbar Square site
Site | Patan Durbar Square including Patan Museum | Patan Golden Temple |
Foreign Nationals | NPR 1,000 | NPR 100 |
SAARC Nationals | NPR 250 (BIMESTIC) | NPR 50 |
Chinese | NPR 1,000 | NPR 100 |
Nepalese | Students with letter from school : NPR 10; Student Card Discount: NPR15; Others: NPR30 |
Free |
Remarks | Entry fees for Nepalese are applicable only for Patan Museum | Closed on Buddha Jayanti |
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The Bhaktapur Durbar square is the last of the 3 old palaces of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur, also known as Khwopa or Bhadgaon is a medieval city located around 12 km east of Kathmandu. The Durbar Square here is one of the best showcases of Nepali architecture and craftsmanship. The four squares – Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square collectively make up the Bhaktapur Durbar square. The most notable landmarks and monuments include the Lions Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, Statue of King Bhupatindra, Nyatapola Temple and fifty-five windowed Malla palace.
Entry fee for Bhaktapur Durbar Square site
Site | Bhaktapur Durbar Square | National Art Museum, Bhaktapur |
Foreign Nationals | US$ 18 or NPR 1,800 | NPR 150 (NPR 100 for camera, NPR 200 for video camera) |
SAARC Nationals | NPR 500 | NPR 50 (NPR 50 for camera, NPR 150 for video camera) |
Chinese | NPR 500 | NPR 150 (NPR 100 for camera, NPR 200 for video camera) |
Nepalese | Free | Students: NPR10; Others: NPR25 (NPR 50 for camera, NPR 100 for video camera) |
Remarks | Below 10 years free. For groups from 11-20, one tour leader can enter free. | Closed on Tuesdays. The fee includes wood carving and brass and bronze museum in Dattrareya Square. |
Lumbini
Situated around 300 kilometers south west of Kathmandu in the plains of Terai, Lumbini is a religious pilgrimage destination with a lot of history behind it. It was the last of the 4 locations in Nepal to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1997). Lumbini is best known as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Also known as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni, Buddha was a Shakya prince from around 3rd – 4th century BCE that spent decades in self-imposed exile and eventually attained enlightenment to become the Buddha. His teaching came to be known as Buddhism and spread all over the world through the years. As such, Lumbini is an immensely important religious site for Buddhists. The major monuments and landmarks to explore here include the Maya Devi Temple, Sacred Garden, World Peace Pagoda, China Temple, Thai Monastery, Burmese (Myanmar) Temple, Nepal Buddha Temple, Dharmaswami Buddhist monastery and Tilaurkot Palace.
Entry Fees for Sites in Lumbini |
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Site | Foreign Nationals | SAARC Nationals | Chinese | Nepalese | Remarks | |
Lumbini | NPR 700 | NPR 400 | NPR 700 | NPR 20 | NPR 16 for Indians. | |
Lumbini Museum | NPR 50 | NPR 50 | NPR 50 | NPR 10 | Closed | |
Kapilvastu Museum | NPR 10 | NPR 5 | NPR 10 | NPR 2 | Closed on Tuesdays |
Chitwan National park
The Chitwan National Park, formerly known as the Royal Chitwan National Park was the first national park of Nepal, being established in 1973. The park stretches over an area of 952 sq. km and has a number of exciting activities to choose from including rafting, canoeing, elephant bathing and of course, Jungle Safari. Jungle Safari in Chitwan is the famous tour package inside this park. It is a sanctuary for over 700 species of wildlife, from mammals and reptiles to rare species of birds as well. The Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asian one-horned rhinoceros are two iconic animals of the Chitwan National Park. In addition to these, Clouded leopards, Sloth Bears, Striped Hyenas, Golden Jackals, Gaurs, Antelopes, Bengal Floricans, Oriental Darters, Kingfishers, Spotted Eagles, King Cobra, Rock Python, Gharials and Crocodiles make up the better known species of this sanctuary.
Entry Fees for Sites in Chitwan |
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Site | Foreign Nationals | SAARC Nationals | Chinese | Nepalese | Remarks | |
Chitwan National Park | NPR 2,000 per day per entry +13% VAT | NPR 1,000 per day per entry+13% VAT | NPR 2,000 per day per entry+13% VAT | NPR 150+13% VAT | Elephant ride fare – Foreigner: NPR 2,500; SAARC: NPR 1,500; Nepali NPR 500 | |
Chitwan Elephant Breeding Camp | NPR 100 | NPR 50 | NPR 100 | NPR 25 | ||
Tharu Cultural Museum, Chitwan | NPR 25 | NPR 15 | NPR 25 | NPR 10 | Below 10 years free. |
Sagarmatha National Park
The final place on our list is the Sagarmatha National Park, which is the second National Park of Nepal, being established in the year 1976. Just 3 years after its creation, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to the immense amounts of cultural and natural wealth of this region. The most recognizable part of the Sagarmatha National Park would most certainly be Sagarmatha, or Mount Everest, which is the highest peak in the world at 8,848m. Aside from Everest, the region is also home to some of the highest peaks in the world along with stunning glaciers, valleys, rivers and mountains. The park itself stretches over an area of 1,148 sq. km. It is home to a diverse variety of Himalayan flora and fauna including rhododendrons, blue pine, silver fir and birch among others. While exploring the Sagarmatha National Park, there is also the possibility of encountering rare mountain wildlife like snow leopard, pandas, lynx, snow cock, pheasant, snow pigeon etc. There are several trekking and climbing routes famous inside this national park. Everest Base Camp Trek and Mount Everest Expedition is the most amazing trip in the world.
Entry fee for Sagarmatha National Park |
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Nepali | SAARC | Foreigners | Child discount |
NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |