Kathmandu valley has more than 3000 temples with 7 UNESCO sites. Here we list most attractive places to visit in Kathmandu Valley. The distance given is from Conference Venue (Shankar Hotel).
Pashupatinath Temple (10 mins drive east)
It is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, and is dedicated to Pashupati, a form of Shiva. Its existence is recorded as early as 400 CE.
Buddha Stupa (15 mins drive east)
It is a stupa and major spiritual landmark seen as the embodiment of the enlightened mind of all the Buddhas. It is founded around c. 590–604 CE.
Swayambhunath Temple (10 mins drive southwest)
It is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, founded around beginning of the fifth century CE. it is the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Thamel , Asan Bazar, Kathmandu Durbar Square (15 - 30 mins walk)
Thamel and Asan Bazar are vibrant and bustling neighborhoods that serves as the tourist hub of the city. It is a bustling maze of narrow streets teeming with shops offering colorful textiles, traditional handicrafts, and trekking gear.
The construction of the Kathmandu Durbar Square began in the 3rd century. The outer complex consists of a number of 16th-century temples built during the reign of the Malla kings.
Patan Durbar Square (15 mins drive south from Shankar Hotel; 13 mins walk from Rato Bangla School (Public Talk) )
It is meticulously restored royal palace to cover thirteen centuries of Nepal’s religious art history; easily Nepal’s leading museum. Most of the current architecture is from the 1600s.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square (30 mins drive east)
It housed the Malla kings of Nepal from 14th to 15th century and the kings of the Kingdom of Bhaktapur from 15th to late 18th century until the kingdom was conquered in 1769.
Top Hill Stations around Kathmandu Valley to see mountain ranges
Chovar (20 mins South)
Chovar, an attractive hill station located at the outskirt of Kathmandu on the way to Dashinkalli, is popular for scenic views of surrounding hills of Kathmandu valley.
Nagarkot (32 km from Kathmandu Valley, about 1 hrs drive)
It is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhaktapur district. The scenic site is popular for its breathtaking sunrise view of the Himalayas. Nagarkot has become famous as one of the best spots to view Mt. Everest as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal.
Dhulikhel (30 km east of Kathmandu)
It offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan range.