TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(NPR)
Nepalese Rupee |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 977, City Code, Kathmandu 1+7D, Dhading 10+6D, Ilam 21+6D |
Kathmandu
The country's capital and largest city simultaneously reeks of
history and the wear and tear of increasing modernity. The tightly
packed historical centre, with its squares and temples, continues
to preserve a world light years away from the shanty towns, expensive
hotels, restaurants and shops on the city's outskirts. Kathmandu's
core is Durbar Square, with the Vishnumati River to the west and
Ratna Park to the east. The Bagmati River forms the southern boundary,
while Thamel, the budget travellers' hangout, sprawls to the north.
Patan
Patan, the second-largest city in the valley, lies just across
the Bagmati River from Kathmandu, but it's a much quieter and
less frenetic place to visit. The city is justly proud of its
temples and artisans and it is their handiwork that provides the
focus of the stunning Durbar Square - choc-a-block with the largest
display of Newari architecture in Nepal. It includes the Royal
Palace, which contains a richly decorated bathtub, and the two-tiered
brick Jagannarayan Temple. Look up to the roof struts to see carvings
of figures engaged in quite athletic acts of intercourse. A few
minutes' walk north of the square is the Golden Temple, a Buddhist
monastery guarded by sacred tortoises that potter around the courtyard;
and the Kumbeshawar, reputedly the oldest (1392) temple in Patan.
South of the square is an area of charming streets lined with
metalsmiths and brassware shops.
Patan's
other attractions are flung further afield. Among them is a collection
of four stupas, thought to have been built over 2500 years ago,
and Nepal's only zoo, which features a reasonable assortment of
rhinos, tigers, leopards and bird life. Palm readers gather in
the park outside - they may be able to point out which animal
you'll be reincarnated as. Tibetan carpets can be bought in Jawlakhel,
east of the city.
It's
an easy 5km (3mi) from Thamel in Kathmandu to Patan and you can
get there by bicyle, taxi, bus, or tempo.
