Visit Places in Bhaktapur: A Complete Travel Guide for Travelers

When you visit places in Bhaktapur, you will realize that you are traveling to a new time. Bhaktapur is a very beautiful and well-preserved heritage city of Nepal located therein in the eastern section of the Kathmandu Valley, approximately 13 kilometers away from Kathmandu. The city is a peaceful getaway to the bustling capital with red brick streets, ancient temples, and traditional houses.

Bhaktapur city has been referred to as the City of Devotees. The name is derived from the word Bhakta, which means devotee, which is a strong spiritual feeling people have here. Nearly every part of the city has a temple, a shrine or a courtyard where the ancient religious traditions are preserved by locals.

Travelers come to Bhaktapur so that they can feel the real Newari culture, explore the wood carvings, taste local dishes, and visit ancient squares. When you are thinking about visiting this medieval city during different tours in Nepal, choosing the places to visit in  Bhaktapur or even visit place near Bhaktapur can be quite confusing. From the bells of the temples, the warm earthy smell of the bricks, to historical sites, everything about this city screams beauty and culture.

Why Visit Bhaktapur?

Bhaktapur is a cultural, historical, and traditional hub, and anyone who visits Nepal must not leave out this place. Known for the rich Newari culture, cobbled streets, courtyards, and temples, this city definitely tops the list for the best of Nepal tour.

One of the great features of the city is its ancient architecture. Bhaktapur resembles an open museum with pagoda-like temples and royal palaces as well as cobblestone roads. The best thing about it is how well preserved the cultural and historical significance of the city is. The exquisite example is the very center of it, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can witness the marvel at magnificent palaces, courtyards, temples, and statues narrating the story of the various dynasties.

Bhaktapur is a serene and absorbing place compared with the crowded streets of Kathmandu. The pace of life here is not as hectic, and a visitor gets an opportunity to absorb the way of life here and meet some of the friendly locals. Likewise, you can take the chance of living what has been untouched for centuries.

Best Places to Visit in Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The central part of Bhaktapur is Bhaktapur Durbar Square, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site that shows the prosperous history and artistic splendor of the city. This is the complex of royal palaces of the Malla kings who reigned in Bhaktapur from the 12th century to the 18th century. The square is a must-visit place in Bhaktapur during the Nepal Heritage Tour as every part of the square is representative of the artistry, culture, and devotion of the people.

A small entry fee is charged to the visitors, and this is used to preserve the heritage site. There are a number of spectacular landmarks that can be discovered once inside. One of the key attractions is the 55 Window Palace, known for its highly carved wooden windows and royal chambers where Malla kings used to sit. Close by, there is the Vatsala Temple, which is an architecturally elegant and sacred stone temple.

The other famous place of attraction is the Golden Gate, which is regarded as one of the best examples of traditional Nepalese art. The gilded carvings on the gate portray gods and goddesses and some mythical images, and the carvings provide an insight into the past religious and artistic background of the city. A visit to Bhaktapur Durbar Square gives travelers a chance to go back 600 years and experience the splendor of the Nepal Malla dynasty directly.

Nyatapola Temple

Nyatapola Temple is one of the most renowned sites in Bhaktapur, and it is a beautiful five-storied pagoda that dominates the skyline of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The highest temple in Nepal, the 30-meter-tall temple, was constructed in 1702 under the rule of King Bhupatindra Malla. It is a great attraction to any visitor to the city because of its spectacular height, as well as the fineness of its tiers of pagoda design.

The architecture of Nyatapola Temple is symbol-rich since it is set in honor of the goddess Siddhi Lakshmi. There are five pairs of guardian statues on both sides of the steps of the temple, and each pair displays a progressively enhanced power and security. These statues comprise wrestlers, elephants, lions, griffins, and goddesses, all of which were well positioned to protect the temple against evil spirits.

The artisan work of the Newar people has been exemplified by the work on the temple, and the skill has been demonstrated through the hardwood carvings, stone statues and the work on the brick. Hence, this temple is definitely something that allows one to peep into the architectural genius of the city of Bhaktapur. Besides the art, visiting the Nyatapole Temple also gives you a chance to feel the spiritual nature and the cultural richness of the city.

Pottery Square

A sightseeing at Pottery Square takes travelers to the living tradition of pottery-making in Bhaktapur. It is a centuries-old square, which, over the centuries, was the center of local artisans who shaped clay into pots, jars, and other decorative items. Exploration of this pottery square during the Nepal Discovery Tour provides you with insights into the centuries-old methods and techniques of pottery. The cultural heritage of the city is a very engaging sight to observe when watching the craftsmen at work.

Pottery Square is not only a place to watch. It is also a nice shopping center to get souvenirs. Pots with an impressive design, old-fashioned clay-lamps, small decorations, which are ideal as a present or a souvenir of your visit, you can find all this and more.

The square is a visual treat to photographers as well as travelers. The colorful clay pots, red-brick houses, and workers are endless sources of the original, colorful photographs. Pottery Square is another place that you cannot leave Bhaktapur without, whether it is time to explore culture, shop, or take photographs.

Dattatreya Square

Dattatreya Square is the right visit places in Bhaktapur for travelers who want to learn more about the history of the quieter part of Bhaktapur. This place is less busy than the Durbar Square, but still, it provides the best chance to enjoy the diversity of the city. The centre of the square is the Dattatreya Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Dattatreya. The temple is known to be filled with complex carvings using wood, which display gods, mythological creatures, and customary designs.

The temple is enclosed by traditional Newari houses, most of which have beautiful wooden windows and balconies. Dattatreya Square is a perfect place to walk around the city and observe architecture, as well as take real cultural shots due to the peaceful atmosphere. It is also a wonderful place for a Nepal Holiday Tour to see the local life, and have a closer look at the eternal beauty of Bhaktapur.

Siddha Pokhari

Siddha Pokhari is an ancient pond near the western gate of Bhaktapur, which is just a short distance from the main city gate. Constructed in the Malla era, this enormous rectangular water tank was used as the source of water in the city, and it is one of the oldest and calmest areas in the city.

In modern times, Siddha Pokhari is a serene meditation area where people can sit along the water, birdwatch, or relax in the tranquility of the area after having visited other temples and squares nearby. Taking an evening stroll in Siddha Pokhari is also a very nice experience, because of the gentle light and the calm water. Hence, this is definitely one of the must-visit places in Bhaktapur where you can relax and reminisce about your day while sightseeing.

Cultural Experiences in Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is a city that is not only about old temples and historic squares. This is a place where culture is walking in parallel with life. Traditional Newari food is one of the best ways of experiencing this. Do not miss out on trying the popular Juju Dhau, the king curd.  Its creamy texture and rich taste will definitely make you try an extra portion.

Other Newari delicacies, such as Bara, Chatamari, choila, sapumhicha, samyabaji, etc., will just open new flavors to your palate. Festivals are also another city event that provides travelers with an opportunity to experience centuries of traditions. Bisket Jatra, which is celebrated along the Nepali New Year, is one of the most lively events and it includes chariot processions, old Nepali music and crowds.

The other products are handicrafts, for which Bhaktapur is famous. This includes pottery, wood carvings and the metal work. Tourists are able to see local craftsmanship in action and even get souvenirs as a reminder to take a part of the city.

Lastly, one of the most gratifying events is communicating with the locals. The amicable locals tend to narrate their life, traditions, and rituals, which provide the travelers with the true picture of the life of Bhaktapur.

How to Reach Bhaktapur?

It is not difficult to access Bhaktapur because it is only around 13 kilometers east of the capital. The city is easily accessible by road and can be visited as a Kathmandu day Trip or weekend getaway from Kathmandu.

Local buses are frequent between Kathmandu and Bhaktapur for budget travelers. These are cheap and provide you with an experience of what life is like in Kathmandu Valley. In case you are more comfortable and flexible, you can also use taxis or personal cars, which are also very widespread and can take you to your destination. Nowadays, Pathao or Indrive are hassle-free ways for transportation.

The commute to Kathmandu is a matter of time and depends on the traffic, although the distance to Kathmandu is typically 30 to 60 minutes. The most suitable time to escape the peak traffic time is early mornings or late afternoons. When you get to Bhaktapur, a majority of the major attractions in the city are within walking distance. Therefore, to experience the beauty of the city, its small lanes and colorful squares, strolling is the best way to get around.

Practical Travel Tips

• If you are nationals from another country, then you will have to pay certain entrance fees to get access inside the area.
• Many of the places are prohibited for photography. Make sure to check the signs before clicking pictures.
• Hiring a guide can be really helpful because they will give you information about the places, things, and also give you different recommendations about food.

Bhaktapur Nepal is a city worth exploring for those who want to know history and, at the same time, get a taste of the authentic world.  The food, festivals, crafts, and people make the exploration here unforgettable. Whether you want a quick getaway or a detailed exploration of Bhaktapur, Mountain Adventure Trekking Pvt Ltd will make it possible. Contact us today.