Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour (Bhaktapur City Tour)

Our sightseeing tour remains memorable when we visit Bhaktapur, another historical place after Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Locally known as Khwopa, the place is world-renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture and indigenous life-style.
Bhaktapur, the city of culture is located at 14 km east of Kathmandu and is the third largest city in the Kathmandu valley. The city was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom from the 12th to the 15th century. Thus, the place is the centre for Newari culture and civilization.
Bhaktapur is a home to Traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries. The Bhaktpur Durbar Squre under UNESCO world heritage list, the Golden Gate, Nyatapola temple, Vairab temple and 55 windowed temple among others are its highlights.

Places to see in Bhaktapur:

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

Bhaktapur durbar square is one of the seven UNESCO world heritage sites located in the Kathmandu valley. In addition to its artistic beauty, the Square carries its historical significance. The square holds mesmerizing palaces, pagodas, shikhara-style temples as well as Buddhist monasteries.
Diverse forms of artistic wonders work together to present Bhaktapur Durbar Square as one of the best cultural decorum on the earth. In this context, the idols of ancient kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in very place - struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows - all seem to form a well orchestrated symphony.

The Palace of 55 Windows:

Built in the seventeenth century by King Bhupatindra, the Palace of 55 Windows is wonderful with its gracious setting and sculptural design. The complex is a balcony of 55 windows that holds the attention of any visitors who enjoy historical art and architecture. The Stone Temple of Batsala Devi to the side, for example, is a beautiful example of Shikhara style which is full of intricate carvings.

The Golden Gate:

It is the entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 windows. The Gate, which is embellished with deities and monsters of marvelous intricacy, is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world.

Nyatapola Temple:

The Nyatapola temple at the south face of the square is the tallest temple in the valley and certainly one of Nepal's most stupendous monuments. The artistic carvings of elephants, lions and wrestlers seem wonderful which is famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.

Changu Narayan:

Enlisted in UNESCO world heritage list, Changu Narayan Temple, the most valuable cultural treasure of Nepal, is often described as the most ancient temple in the Kathmandu Valley. A fifth century stone inscription, the oldest discovered in Nepal, is located in the temple compound.
The temple, located at Bhaktapur height is decorated by some of the best samples of stone, wood, and metal craft in the Valley. Vishnu as Narsingha disemboweling a demon is particularly stunning. Moreover, the statue of Vishnu as well as other artistic engravings remains distinct and wonderful.

Bhairav Temple:

The huge pagoda style temple, Bhairav Temple is erected at the eastside of the square which is dedicated to Bhairav – the ferocious form of lord Shiva. Bhairav, the central image of the temple is a head without body.

Teel Mahadev Narayan Temple:

South from Nyatapola, there is lord Vishnu's ancient shrine of Teel Mahadev Narayan. A disc, lotus, conch shell and a mace – four emblems of lord Vishnu are placed on pillars to the sides of the entrance. The artistic design is wonderful.

Dattatraya Square:

Dattatraya Square is innumerable monumental masterpieces of woodcarvings. To the side of Dattatraya temple is a monastery with exquisitely carved peacock windows.

Pujari Math (Wood Carving Museum):

Pujari Math is the best and the most richly architectured Math in Bhaktapur. It has a splendid collection of antique carvings. A set of 14 roof struts, image of Visundhara, tantric images of Vishnu with 30 arms and 17 faces are some of its highlights.

Bhimsen Temple:

To the west to the Dattatraya temple, across the square, stands a double storied rectangular pagoda styled temple dedicated to Lord Bhimsen. The temple is the best example of artistic treasure of mid Nepal.

Pottery Square:

Bhaktapur has two famous pottery squares, one is located at Talaco towards the Durbar Square and another one located at Suryamadhi to the east of the Dattatraya square. Many potters can be seen working on their traditional wheels designing clay products.

Museums in Bhaktapur:

The National Art Gallery:

The National Art Gallery, located at Durbar Square, has a magnificent collection of ancient thanka paintings and various classic and medieval masterpieces belonging to Hindu and Buddhist schools depicting Tantrism of various periods.

The Wood Carving Museum:

The Wood Carving museum is in Pujari Math. It contains artistic and cultural treasures of historical importance .The ‘Math' itself is elegant in its architecture with enumerable intricately carved wooden doors and windows.

The Bronze & Brass Museum:

The Bronze & Brass Museum at Bhaktapur displays heterogeneous ceremonial and household metals such as jars, water vessels, cooking pots, oil pots etc. These metals are the mirror that reflects ancient civilization.