Bhaktapur means city of rice and is the third major town in the Kathmandu Valley. It is a timeless traffic free place and has many temples, monumental squares and courtyards to explore.
There are centuries of craftsmanship here with workshops and communities of woodcarvers, potters and weavers. Everyday life is on display with rice drying in the sun, people washing under communal taps, and children playing games.
The Potters Square is one of the main areas in Bhaktapur and has wonderful views over the city. There are temples and many potter’s wheels at work. Taumadhi Tole nearby is another great square in Bhaktapur and is where Nyatapola Temple is found, the highest temple in the Kathmandu Valley. Enjoy a drink at one of the nearby cafes and admire the views from here.
Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square is home to the erotic Elephant’s Temple and the Ugrachandi and Bhairab Statues. The National Art Gallery is also in the vicinity and houses Hindu and Buddhist paintings. Bhaktapur is easy to get to from Kathmandu and is a beautiful Nepalese town to explore.
Many of the highly decorated buildings and shrines were destroyed in the 1934 earthquake. However the main square still contains innumerable temples and other architectural show pieces: the Lion Gate, the picture gallery, the statue of Bhupatendra Malla, the Palace of 55 windows, the Bell of the Barking dogs, the Batsala temple, the Nyatapola temple and the replica of Pashupatinath.
