Kathmandu Nepal – A glimpse of the Himalayas
Nepal is a landlocked country situated in South Asia bordering China in the north and India in the south, east and west, with Kathmandu as its capital. It has its share of the Himalayas where the highest mountains on Earth are found.
On the mountainous north of Nepal is found the highest point on Earth, the prestigious peak in the Himalayas – Mount Everest, which has been the biggest challenge for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts from all over the globe. It is known as High Asia, metaphorically described as the “Roof of the World” or “Top of the World”. It is still growing as it is pushed up higher by the movements of the earth. The Nepalese call it ‘a mountain so high no bird can fly above it’.
Nepal is a country that is said to have more temples than houses, with small and large Hindu and Buddhist temples standing within close proximity to one another.
Here are some of the significant places that I visited in Kathmandu:
Swayambhunath, an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, which is commonly known as the Monkey Temple. Literally a lot of monkeys are living freely around the temple and who seemed fairly friendly to its visitors. The main entrance has 365 stone steps that you have to climb up which is obviously tiring but exceedingly rewarding as you reach the temple complex at the top. Its main attraction is the large white stupa (mound like structure containing relics used as a place of worship)) surrounded by many small shrines and temples. A few souvenir shops can be found as well in this complex. It’s also a perfect location, overlooking the Kathmandu city.
Kathmandu Durbar Square, especially Bhaktapur, is an impressive traditional old town, one of the important historic and tourist destinations in Nepal. It is a massive complex home to Old Royal Palaces.
Most of these places are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Unfortunately several buildings collapsed due to the major earthquakes that hit the country in 2015.
For more details about my travel experience visiting Nepal, please check my book entitled INSPIRED TO TRAVEL; TRAVEL TO INSPIRE – A TRAVEL MEMOIR available on Amazon.com as well as on Barnes and Noble website.
