Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour

Bhaktapur founded by King Ananda Deva in 889 AD is one of three cities in Kathmandu Valley; it lies about 14 km east of Kathmandu. It is an inhabited museum of medieval charm as it retains past glories and structures of the Malla rulers. Throughout the city there are glorious examples of temples and pagodas dedicated to gods and goddesses plus palaces, monuments, woodcarvings, sculptures and pottery. The central area and main attraction in Bhaktapur is Durbar Square featuring The Lion Gate (1696 A.D.) guarded by two enormous stone lions.

Another, The Golden Gate, is said to be the most beautiful and richly crafted specimen of its kind in the entire world; some have said it's the loveliest work of art in the whole Kingdom. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows built in 1427 of brick displays a balcony containing fifty-five windows, each a masterpiece of woodcarving. An amazing five-storied pagoda, Nyatapola Temple built in 1702, dominates the Square. It is the tallest temple in Kathmandu Valley and stands on a series of five terraces. Two other temples in Durbar Square are the three-storied Bhairab Nath Temple and the Temple of Dattatraya.
This latter one, it is believed, originally was craved out of the trunk of a tree and subsequently renovated in 1458. Many temples, bahals (monastery courtyards), and residences, the city is still a living proof of the highest craft standards in this part of the world. As the visitor wanders through narrow brick paved streets, many alleys will show hidden
shrines and statues. Clay craftmanship as well as cloth weaving is still practiced here very much as in the past. Fourteen kilometers east of Kathmandu, this peaceful, conservative town stands in sharp contrast to the bustle of its two adjacent cities.