Kathmandu V alley
Apparently incredible for its size, Nepal contains four World Heritage sites—two cultural and two natural heritage sites. Of them, the Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, are the cultural heritage sites. They are highly admired for their centuries-old traditions of art, culture and craftsmanship as well as for numerous monuments of archeological and historical importance. As for the natural heritage sites, both Sagarmatha National Park and Royal Chitwan National Park are home to many endangered beasts and varieties of birds. While Sagarmatha National Park boasts of accommodating Mt. Everest (8,850 m)-the highest peak on Earth, Royal Chitwan National Park gives shelter to such rare species as the Royal Bengal Tiger, the great one-horned rhino and Gharial Crocodiles. The Kathmandu Valley has been divided into seven monumental zones, all compacted within a radius of 20 km. Actually no one can find such a collection of heritage sites in the other places of the world as in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Given below is the list of Nepal’s exclusive heritage sites:
Kathmandu Durbar Square:
 The seat of royalty till the last century, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a wonderful cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets. The most noteworthy among them are the Hanuma- ndhoka palace complex, Kumari Dyochhen and the Taleju temple. Even to date, all major state and social ceremonies, including the solemnization of coronations, are carried out in one or the other courtyards within this complex. The royal enclave presently houses three museums. The monuments in and around the area are so mesmerizing that each appears more wonderous than the one next to it.
Swayambhu Stupa:
One of the world’s oldest Buddhist shrines, the stupa graces a hilltop, 77 meters above the Valley bottom. Situated six km to the west of the city-center, this huge dome-like structure is surmounted by 13 gilded rings representing 13 Heavens and an elaborate canopy.
Pashupatinath Temple:
One of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, Pashupatinath lies five km northeast of Kathmandu. The two-storied pagoda houses a sacred lingum, or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Although the temple dates back to the 4th century, it was brought into its present shape in the early 18th century. The temple is most noted for its gold-plated roofs and silver-coated doors.
Bouddha Stupa:
The Bouddha Stupa is also known by Khasti, is one of the world’s largest stupas. The unique aspect of this great Buddhist monument is that it is set in the octagonal Mandala design. Hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha set into the niches around this huge structure makes it even more mesmerizing. Another notable aspect of the area is the presence of about four dozen monasteries around it. Bouddha lies some six km to the east of the city center.
Patan Durbar Square:
 Nowhere else can be seen such a compression of marvelous monuments within a limited space like in the Patan Durbar Square. Besides the old royal palace, what dominates all others in grace and grandeur in this complex is the 17th-century Krishna Mandir. Entirely made of stone, this shikhara-style structure with 21 pinnacles is dedicated to Lord Krishna, a saviour deity in Hindu pantheon, and it is equally noted for rare stone carvings on its walls, which depict various episodes of the epic wars of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Other landmarks within the Square are Tusha-hity (water spout), Sundari Chowk, Taleju Temple and the Keshav Narayan Chowk. The Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (Golden temple), Rudravarna Mahavihar and the terra-cotta temple of Mahabouddha are other highlights in the vicinity.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
Of the Valley’s three Durbar Squares, Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the best preserved one. Still emanating the medieval aura, this splendid palatial complex has its gems in such artistic masterpieces as the 55-Windows Palace, the Golden Gate, Golden Spout, the Taleju temple complex and Nyatapola-the Five-Storied temple-in the nearby Taumadhi Square. The 15th-century Dattatreya temple and the world famous Peacock Window at Tachapal, the terra-cotta windows at Tahamala and Nepal’s largest Shiva Lingum at Hanumanghat are also there to keep visitors spellbound
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