Bhaktapur, Nepal

Bhaktapur (Bhaktapur, “City of Saints”, also called Bhadgaon and Khwopa) is an ancient Newar city an hour’s drive from Kathmandu, which has a huge number of outstanding architectural monuments.

The “City of Potters” or “City of Craftsmen” as it is often called, is considered one of the most remarkable places in the Kathmandu valley. Indeed, according to many, it is here that authentic traditions and remarkable architecture are best preserved. Tourists from all over the world are attracted by the originality of the city, ancient temples built of red brick and carved wooden roofs that adorn them.

About 1200 NPR are taken for the entrance to the Old City.

Note: according to allcitypopulation, the population of Nepal is 29.67 million (2021).

How to get there

In fact, Bhaktapur can almost be called a suburb or neighborhood of Kathmandu, it is only 16 km from it. Therefore, you can easily and inexpensively get here by taxi or bus, which departs from Ratna Park (about 40 NPR).

History

From the 14th century until the second half of the 18th century, the city was the capital of the Malla dynasty. Since that time, 172 temples, 32 artificial ponds and many residential buildings decorated with wooden bas-reliefs have survived. In 1934, the city was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake, but was soon restored, and in 1979 included in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage.

Bhaktapur is a museum city, but residents still live here, without changing anything either in their way of life or in the architecture of the city, and not even paying much attention to the numerous tourists.

Entertainment and attractions of Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is a museum city, but residents still live here, without changing anything either in their way of life or in the architecture of the city, and not even paying much attention to the numerous tourists. They go about their business. City squares are littered with earthenware pots that are put out to dry and sold. The entire crop harvested from nearby fields is immediately moved, sorted and put up for sale.

The main attractions of Bhaktapur are the Durbar Square with temples and pagodas, as well as the royal palace. It is said that the best view of the “king’s house” opens from the roof of the Layaku restaurant. You should definitely visit the amazing courtyard with the goddess Kumari, Thaumadhi-Tole and Tachupal-Tole squares, where you can buy one of the pottery as a keepsake.

If you have time, you can look into the complex on the Hanumante River, the shrines of Shiva-Parvati and Hanuman, as well as the Naga Pohari pond. In general, a lot of separately standing, exceptionally colorful temples and pagodas are scattered around the town, which are worthy of inspection.

Weather in Bhaktapur

The climate is temperate, with an average temperature of 18.4 °C. The warmest months are June and July, +25…+27°С; cold – December and January, + 10… + 11 ° С. The temperature here never drops below 0 °C, while the maximum is +30 °C. There is a lot of precipitation (rain) from mid-July to the end of September.

Bhaktapur, Nepal