T
he main attraction of the country – the mountains. In Nepal, are fully or partially eight highest peaks of the world famous Annapurna and Machapukchi, as well as thousands of routes for mountain travel on foot, passing through the most picturesque places. No less popular rafting on mountain rivers on rafts, canoes or other boats. But in addition to the usual image of the "Mecca of mountaineering," pay attention to the history and culture of Nepal – the ancient and unspoilt country. Monasteries, temples, thousands of rites and ceremonies, rich history and mythology of the country, a unique co-existence of dozens of nationalities and religions, hundreds of festivals and religious ceremonies – that's another no less interesting image of the country.
Kathmandu Valley – the most populated part of the country. Here are the three main cities of the country, three of the capital – a modern Kathmandu, as well as two old – Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon).
Kathmandu – big enough city, but in spite of its capital functions, it has remained almost the way and was a hundred years ago – narrow streets, many houses of the most unusual architecture, hundreds of temples and stupas, the eternal scent of incense and a strange alien rhythm of life. Place in a small valley is not enough, so it is difficult to see where it ends and begins Kathmandu, for example, Lalitpur. And at the same time on the surrounding hills a lot of greens, and just at hand a small reserve of the capital is divided Nagarzhun. Learn more about albania property!
In the city hundreds of attractions, among which the most interesting city gave its name to a wooden temple Kasthamandal (723), the Jagannath temple, Ashok Vinayak (Maru Ganesh, III c. BC. E.), Jaish Deva (Shiva temple, famous for its erotic carvings content), Light Machchhendranat (janmady), the temple of the sky god Akash Bhairav, a huge temple of Taleju (1549, open only to Nepalese times a year), which lies on an island in the center of the pond Rani Pokhara (XVII c.), Kumari Ghar (Temple Goddess Kumari, which is home to the living personification of the deity), and many smaller places of worship, located often in the most unexpected places. Special attention is given famous stupas of the capital – a colossal Svayambunat (Swayambhu, "Temple of the Apes", was founded more than two thousand years ago) on a hill in north-western part of the city (according to legend it was here from seed of Shiva tossed lotus emerged land), Budnat (the great stupa of Nepal and a recognized center of Buddhism), and a huge area of the monasteries in the north-eastern outskirts of the city, the nearby monastery of Copan on the same hill, Pashupati temple complex (Pashupatinath, the temple of Lord Shiva) on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river, the famous two-tiered golden roof and silver doors, Lumarhi Temple (Bhadrakali), etc.
The city center is surrounded by about fifty churches Palace Square (Hanuman Dhoka) Nautalle the palace (now a museum dynasty, Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum), the "ideal city" Newari (one of the nationalities of Nepal) with thousands of miniature temples (in almost every yard of mortar is or a temple dedicated to some deity), the grand palace of Singha Darbar (now here is the Secretariat of Government) and the modern residence of the King of Nepal – Narayanhiti Palace Darbar with the legendary source of Narayanhiti. The surrounding area is concentrated a lot of small markets and places of worship, so that you can wander for hours.
Also of interest are the area Taumadhi-to five-story pagoda Tole Nyatapole, "old town" with a tower Tundikhel Dharahara (59 m, 1832) and fountains, the water which follows from the gold taps, a unique center of rare books and manuscripts – Kaiser Library, tourist district Tamelo with lots of shops for tourists and famous hotel-and-Yak Yeti (the first hotel of the country, opened Russian traveler Lisanevich B), the National History Museum at the foot of the hill Svayambunat, Ratna Park, etc.
In the vicinity of the city is also a huge number of interesting places – the famous statue of Vishnu reclining on a bed of snakes in the center of the pond – Budhanilkantha (V c.), A water garden, Balaji (XVIII c., 5 km. North-west of Kathmandu) with a cascade of 22 fountains, Gokarnatsky temple, temple complexes and Guheshvari Vishvarut, great stupa (III c. BC. e.) and Chandra Vinayak temple in Chabahile with a large "sculpture park" around the picturesque town of Kirtipur, Dakshinkali Temple, National Museum with a good historical and weapons collection (located 2.5 km. west of the capital), with a magnificent gorge Chobhar Adinath temple, the mountain resort of Nagarkot (35 km. east of Kathmandu) and the Royal Park Gokarna (Gokarna Safari Park), with pagoda Gokarneshvar Mahadev.
Over the Bagmati river begins a satellite town Kathmandu – Lalitpur and Patan (the "city beautiful"), formerly the capital of Nepal in 1768 (founded in 229, the). It is interesting four stupas of Ashoka (III c. BC. E), the unique terracotta Thousand Buddha Temple, five-story shihara Kumbeshvar (1392, the oldest temple of the city), the temple of Krishna Mandir (1723), a Buddhist monastery Rudravarna Mahabihar in which crowned the kings of Nepal, the temple Akshesvor Mahabihar (XVII c.), surrounded by stupas central area of the Darbar and the Royal Palace, the Temple Dzhagannarayya, decorated with statues of Ganesha and Krishna's city gates, the temple Hiranya Varna Mashavishar, Mahabodhi Temple (copy Bodhyaga temple in India where Buddha attained enlightenment), the temple Visankhu Narayan, the only zoo in the country, as well as numerous jewelry and art workshops (city long famous for its smiths and chasers). At 10 km. south-east of Patan is situated Pulchouk Mountain (2758 m) on top of which is a Buddhist monastery, and the foot – the Royal Botanic Gardens Godavari.
Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon, "a city of believers") – another ancient capital of Nepal (XIV-XVI cc.), Inhabited mostly by Hindus, which is clearly reflected in the local architectural monuments. Now this is the third important city of Kathmandu valley, although its dimensions are small. In Bhaktapur there are more than a dozen temples of Vishnu (Narayana), the famous Golden Gate and the Lion, unique palace of Malla dynasty (VII c.), Some of the sacred pond, the famous temple of Lord Shiva, Parvati, with bas-reliefs of animals copulating, the temple of Devi Batsala "Bell barking dogs" (1737), the National Gallery of Art, etc.
Pokhara – the second largest city of Nepal and one of the most popular resorts in the country, situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Feva-Tal (the second largest in Nepal) at an altitude of 827 m often called "the gates of Annapurna," the city quite well suited to serve the tourists – along the entire coast of Lake District stretches of countless hotels, restaurants and shops Lakeside, on the island in the middle of the lake is a Hindu temple on the opposite bank – a magnificent stupa and monastery Shanti Shanti Bishva and around the city – many monasteries, the "sacred" the caves Mahendra Gufan or Rupa, lakes Venas-Tulsa, and a unique waterfall Davis-Fall. But the main reason why tourists come to Pokhara – a magnificent panorama of the Annapurna massif zanezhennyh peaks and trekking in the surrounding mountains.
In the south is the town of Lumbini – a place which is considered the birthplace of Buddha. In memory of this event presented a pond in which the mother of Siddhartha Gautama bathed before giving birth, a temple in her honor, many Buddhist temples built in different architectural styles of the countries in which the Buddhist. The temples are scattered throughout the vast park, which surrounds the sacred Buddhist place for everyone.
An interesting and Martha (2600 meters) – the place of residence of Tibetans, famous for its apple orchards, apple cider and pies, as well as the current church. After the annexation of Tibet by China in the country have settled many refugees who brought with them their traditions and customs. Monasteries Tyangpoche, Pangpoche Devuche and are recognized as centers of Tibetan Buddhism and Lamaism species.