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Also known as Lalitpur or the "city of beauty" is the oldest city in the valley. Essentially a Buddhist city said to have been founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Patan is the cradle of arts and architecture of the valley, a great centre both of the Newari Buddhist religion and of traditional arts and crafts with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Well known among these are the Krishna Mandir, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Kumbheshwar, Jagatnarayan temple and the Mahabouddha temple. The Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world. A tour of Patan would also include a visit to the cottage industries centre to watch local artisans work on wood carving and metal objects. Continue onto the Tibetan Refugee camp, established in 1960, to promote handicrafts that have now become one of Nepal 's
biggest exports. Here you can watch traditionally designed carpets being spun, dyed and woven on hand looms.
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