World Heritage sites in Nepal

Nepal is a country that is not only famous for its beautiful mountains but also rich in both natural and cultural diversity. There are several cultural and natural heritage sites listed by UNESCO as popular World Heritage Sites in Nepal.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of social or natural importance according to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Heritage sites in Nepal differ from magnificent cultural landmarks to beautiful natural landmarks. While some are proud of history's splendor, some are a lavish haven and sheltered for flourishing biodiversity. These places are truly popular since they are striking, and wonderful and showcase Nepal's rich natural and cultural aspect that is genuinely remarkable.

The World Heritage Sites of Nepal have various structurally rich places of interest that feature the cultural significance of Nepal and sumptuous national parks that enhance the biodiversity of Nepal. Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, Sagarmatha National Park, and Chitwan National Park are four sites in Nepal which are listed by UNESCO as world heritage sites. Two of them are natural attractions and two are cultural with various attractions and features that offer education, entertainment, information, and also amusement.

The heritage sites highlight cultural and historic monuments that date back over two centuries, and natural attractions full of the magnificent Himalayas, vegetation, and wildlife. Here are some of the World heritage sites that you should visit when you come to Nepal-:

Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath Stupa which is the oldest monument in Nepal is a must-visit since its origin is related to the origin of Kathmandu valley itself. Inscriptions and historical records have traced the origin of this stupa monument as far back 1500 years prior while religious stories and myths go much further. It is said that Swayambhunath, in a real sense meaning self-sprung, was formed after the lake dried out which led to the current valley.

Once you reached the top of Swayambhu you will be amazed by the combination of Buddhist stupas and Hindu shrines (two distinct types of architecture co-existing in harmony). It is said that there are 365 steps on the stairs that lead up to Swayambhunath. Besides being a holy place for Buddhists as well as Hindus, the ideal area likewise means the view overlooking most of the Kathmandu valley is magnificent from here.

Pashupatinath Temple

In the event that you are intending to do any sort of Trekking in Nepal then you should never miss doing 1 or 2 days Heritage tour in Nepal. One of the most sacred Hindu sanctuaries on the planet, Pashupatinath is a centuries-old temple devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple complex comprises the primary sanctuary and compound, surrounded by an assortment of smaller sanctuaries, ashrams, and sculptures, and is bordered by the sacred Bagmati River toward the east.

Passage to the primary temple is permitted uniquely for Hindus but everybody is allowed to see from the slopes alongside the Bagmati riverbanks. Noticing the different customs, ceremonies as well as funerals is a captivating and unforgettable experience for sightseers. A demonstration of the significance of this temple is the sheer amount of explorers it draws in, especially during festive occasions like Shivaratri and Teej where visitors number many thousands in a single day.

One fun fact about the Pashupatinath Temple is that it is one of the first heritage sites in Nepal to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Also known as Basantapur Durbar Square or Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the center of Kathmandu valley. In English, 'durbar' interprets as a royal residence (palace). The durbar square is situated at the prominent point of convergence of old Kathmandu. The square is an open-air exhibition of grand ancient temples, structures, pagodas, and holy places.

The palace once used to be involved by Nepal's sheltered royal family and is still home to Kumari, Kathmandu's unique living goddess. Along these lines, while in Kathmandu Durbar Square, make sure to check out Seto Bhairab, Maru tole, Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar, and Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum.

Patan Durbar Square

Like the Kathmandu Durbar, the Patan Durbar Square is the old palace of Nepal. It is known that the town was named after King Yalamber, as Patan also means Yala. It is situated around 8 km southeast of central Kathmandu. This royal residence complex is an incredible showcase of Newari design and craftsmanship. The yard is filled with various Hindu as well as Buddhist landmarks. Historical records have shown that Emperor Ashoka built parts of this Square way, going back to the third century BCE.

The beautiful places to visit in Patan Durbar Square include the Mahaboudha Temple, Bhimsen sanctuary, Golden Temple, Kumbeshwor sanctuary, Krishna Temple, Hari Shanker sanctuary, Jagat Narayan Temple, Vishwanath sanctuary, and Rato Machhendra Temple among others.

Lumbini

Lumbini is a popular religious destination with a great deal of history behind it which is located around 300 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu in the fields of Terai. It was the last of the 4 areas in Nepal to be assigned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Lumbini is most popular as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha also known as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni, Buddha was a Shakya ruler from around the third – fourth century BCE that went through a long time in self-imposed exile and therefore achieved enlightenment to turn into the Buddha. His teaching came to be known as Buddhism and spread all around the world as the years progressed.

Thusly, Lumbini is an extremely significant religious site for Buddhists. The significant landmarks and monuments to explore in this place include the Maya Devi Temple, China Temple, Nepal Buddha Temple, Sacred Garden, World Peace Pagoda, Dharmaswami Buddhist monastery, Burmese (Myanmar) Temple, Thai Monastery, and Tilaurkot Palace.

These are the popular heritage sites that will make your visit to Nepal truly worthwhile and not only these sites there are also others that make Nepal a wonderful place to visit. These heritage sites can be easily visited by various travelers, and just require a little fee to enter. You can explore the heritage sites solo or with a knowledgeable guide, who can be hired at the sites or beforehand.