UNESCO sites in Kathmandu

UNESCO & Historic Landmarks

Kathmandu’s historical landscape is defined by its seven UNESCO World Heritage monument zones. This collection features the massive Boudha and Swayambhu stupas, alongside the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex and its coronation courtyard, Nasal Chowk. The selection spans from the ancient Newari monastic architecture of Itum Bahal to the 20th-century Rana-style Keshar Mahal and the legendary hippie-era hub of Freak Street, illustrating the city's evolution from a medieval kingdom to a cultural crossroads.

UNESCO & Historic Landmarks — Map

Bijaya2043 / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Boudha Stupa

Boudha Stupa; or Jarung Kashor, also known as Khasti Chaitya or Khāsa Chaitya, is a stupa and major spiritual landmark seen as the…

松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Swayambhunath

Swayambhu is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city.

C

Kathmandu Valley (UNESCO)

This World Heritage site encompasses seven monument zones, including the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan.

D

Hanuman Dhoka

A sprawling complex of royal palaces and courtyards that served as the residence of the Malla and Shah dynasties. It features the 17th-century statue of Hanuman and several tiered temples showcasing traditional Newari craftsmanship.

E

Itum Bahal

One of the oldest and largest Buddhist monasteries in the city, featuring a spacious courtyard and a 14th-century sanctuary adorned with intricate wood carvings and historical bronze plaques.

F

Old Freak Street

Historically known as Jhochhen Tole, this street gained fame in the 1960s and 70s as the center of the hippie trail. It remains a historical link to Kathmandu's counterculture era.

G

Keshar Mahal

A grand Rana-era palace built in the early 20th century, housing the Kaiser Library. It is notable for its European-style architecture and a collection of over 28,000 rare books and manuscripts.

H

Nasal Chowk

The largest courtyard inside the Hanuman Dhoka palace, historically used for royal coronations. It contains the five-story Pancha Mukhi Hanuman Temple and exhibits traditional Malla-era architecture.

I

Shree Karma Raja Maha Vihar

A Tibetan Buddhist monastery located on the northern side of the Swayambhu hill, known for its large Buddha statue and its association with the Karma Kagyu lineage.

J

Juddha Shamsher

A bronze statue and square dedicated to the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, marking the entrance to the historic New Road district.

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