Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is no less than any adventure. It may look like a small, crowded city but within, there are many such things which you must experience. Many of us take Kathmandu as a crowded and unorganized city, it is a fact, and most of us want to visit and stay outside the valley, mainly in Pokhara, but Kathmandu isn’t just crowd of people. So, today I am giving you the list of things which you must do, to help you change your perception about this city.

Go and have a hunger hunt

Kathmandu represents the whole of Nepal. It has a diversity of cultures and religions. Along with it comes the variety in the food of different groups. Kathmandu will give you the spicy mouth-watering food to sweet Nepali dessert, which will relish your taste buds and your heart too. Here are some such foods which are must try:

Momo

Momo is like the national food of Kathmandu. Momo comes with different stuffing like buff, pork, chicken, veg, paneer, and others, along with spicy aachar/chutney, this food will remain in the memory of your taste buds for a long time.

Newari Khaja Set

It is one of the most popular local cuisines of Kathmandu. Bara, Choila, Kachila, Egg, Aachar are some common dish in the khaja set.

Panipuri/Chatpate

It is a much-loved snack by the whole country. Panipuri is a small, round and hollow puri which is crispy too. It is stuffed with boiled and minced potatoes, which is mixed with onions, salt, masalas and other spices and served by filling the flavored water. Chatpate is made with a mixture of vegetables like boiled potatoes, peas, onions, green chili and puffed rice, along with lemon, salt, and different masalas as per the taste.

Kheer

Kheer is an Indian dish, but it is equally famous in Nepal. Kheer is a rice pudding made of rice, milk, sugar and flavored with cardamoms, cashews, almonds, saffrons or raisins. Kheer is made on several special occasions and festivals. It is also served as a dessert in Nepal.)

Laphing

 Laphing is a Tibetan snack, but this food has taken Kathmandu valley by storm. I mean it hasn’t been long since Laphing has been introduced in the valley and it is already giving competition to the most popular snack, Panipuri/Chatpate.

Listening Aarati(Prayers) in Pashupatinath

Pashupati Temple Aarati

Pashupatinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is probably the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal. It has over hundreds of small temples, aashrams, and image inscriptions. You may fill dire to visit Pashupatinath in the day, but as twilight approaches, take an evening walk towards the temple and be there for aarati. You may not understand the words in the aarati, but believe me, it will leave with goosebumps and will fill your heart with joy.

Visit Osho Tapoban

Osho is not just a name now, it is a way of life, and it is a reason for millions of people around the world who has found something higher than life. Nepal is a Himalayan country, with many peaceful places, but Kathmandu is a bit of crowded place. Visiting Kathmandu, if you ever feel you are back in chaos, then visit Osho Tapoban, a spiritual community, which will help you release the chaos of your mind and restore the faith. Osho Tapoban is located at Nagarjun Hills, Kathmandu.

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square Kathmandu Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square (also known as Basantapur Durbar Square) is one of the three Durbar Squares; the other two are Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Bhaktapur. It holds the palaces of old Malla and Shah Kings of Nepal. In Kathmandu Durbar, you can witness the magnificent crafts which are carved in the stones and woods of the Durbar.

The very detail of that architecture is undoubtedly worth more than just a visit. However, several buildings collapsed during the earthquake in 2015; you can still see enough which will make you laud the skills of those craftsmen. Also, it has been in the process of rebuilding in its original form. Kumari, the Living Goddess of Nepal, resides in one of the temples here.

Take a tour of Thamel

Thamel has been the center of tourism of Kathmandu for over many decades. Starting from mid-1960s hippie days, Thamel has been the main attraction of tourists, where many artists had visited in the past. Thamel is known for its narrow streets with several shops like food, vegetables, clothes, books store, handicrafts, trekking gears, woolen cloths and many more. Thamel is also a vehicle free zone as hundreds of pedestrian make their visit in the street of Thamel.

Thamel is also famous for offering local and continental cuisines although the prices are slightly higher but believe me it is worth paying. When you visit Thamel and walk around its streets, do stay for at least one night there. Night-life in Thamel is fun as well as thrilling too because Thamel is more at the night than it will ever be in daylight.

Visit Garden of Dreams

Garden of Dreams

After you walk around the streets of Thamel, then you must pay a visit to the Garden of Dreams too. It lies just at the entrance of Thamel. Garden of Dreams also goes by the name of Garden of Six Seasons. The garden covers 6,895 square meters with three pavilions, an amphitheater, pergolas, and ponds. It is a very famous spot for both locals and tourists, where you can have some hours of peace and tranquility out of the crowd and the smog of the city.

Go for Hiking

If you are tired of the crowded streets of Kathmandu and want to spend some time with Mother Nature but not for several days, then Kathmandu has a solution for this problem too. You must go for in areas like Shivapuri National Park, Sundarijal, and Namo Buddha.

Shivapuri National Park is the located the northern fringe of the Kathmandu Valley. It takes around 35 minutes to reach Budhanilkantha from the main city. Your hike starts from Budhanilkantha. You will reach the hidden Buddhist monastery, Nagi Gompa, after about 3 hours of walk through the wood trails.

After the monastery, it will take about 3 hours walk to reach the top spot, from where you can see the perfect view of the whole valley and if you went on a bright and clear day, then you can also see the landscape of snow-capped Himalayas. It is also famous for its diverse vegetation like rhododendron, pines, and oaks. It is also the habitat of 177 species of birds, 102 species of butterflies and 129 species of mushroom.

Sundarijal is one of the famous spots for hiking in Kathmandu. It lies in north-east of the Kathmandu valley at the distance of 15 kilometers. Many hikers choose Sundarijal as their way for Chisapani. The major attractions in Sundarijal are beautiful waterfalls and rushing streams, large ridges, and the water reservoir. It is a full package for hiking, sight-seeing, and canyoning too.

Namo Buddha is located in Dhulikhel which is about an hour ride from the Kathmandu. It takes about 4 hours hike from the main road to reach Namo Buddha. Namo Buddha one of the famous ancient Buddhist monastery. It lies at 1750 meter height providing you the beautiful mountain panorama.

The inhabitants around the Namo Buddha are mostly Tamangs. There is this Buddhist legend about the place that King Mahasattva offered his own body to a hungry tigress at the very place where Namo Buddha stands today. It is the reason why this place is a holy site for Buddhists.

Kathmandu Palace

Tour around Kathmandu area

Kathmandu has many such places which are famous internationally and there are many locally famous places which you must visit to look closer in the life of Nepali peoples.

– Kathmandu Fun Park (Kathmandu Fun Park is a water park which is best to visit during the summer time. The swimming pools, wave pool, speed mat, tower height and several recreational and fun items will relax you from your hefty schedule and help you socializing with locals of Kathmandu.)

– Patan Durbar Square (Patan Durbar Square lies in Lalitpur district. It is one of the places where both locals and tourists can be found in equal number. This place is famous for beautifully carved sculpture in woods, local cuisines, Patan Musem, local stores where you can find handicrafts, paintings, thangka paintings, and many other artifacts.)

– Bhaktapur Durbar Square (Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another Durbar Square, which is equally famous as the other two. It is located in Bhaktapur and is mainly renowned for Juju Dhau.)

– Asan Bazaar (Asan is one of the most crowded areas in the Kathmandu. It is one of the popular tourist areas, which is famous for architectural sights and local shops. Asan is the attraction for shoppers from all over the Kathmandu Valley because of its availability of almost all needed.)