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Not
everyone has the time, drive, or stamina to make a trek into the
Himalaya. This should not be a reason for feeling like you have
missed out on some of the unique things that Nepal has to offer.
In fact, many visitors to Nepal leave for the mountains a little
too quickly and never enjoy the treasures closer at hand.
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and major city in the Kathmandu
Valley, is replete with unique buildings, temples, sites and
smells.
But there are also other cities and many
area temples, all within easy walking distance of downtown
Durbar Square at the center of Kathmandu. Patan, just to the
south of Kathmandu and almost an extension of it, is considered
the most "Buddhist" of the valley's three principal centers, and
Bhaktapur to the east the most "medieval." Both have a feel
similar to that of Kathmandu's, but without the population
density and frenetic tourist pace. Of the temples in the valley,
Swayambhunath (also called Monkey Temple for the hordes of
monkeys living in its shadow) is the closest. A quick jaunt to
the west of the capital, it is on a hill and enjoys generous
views of the surroundings. The most famous temple in Nepal,
Pashupatinath, cannot be visited by non-Hindus. That said, the
setting, on the holy Bagmati River just to the east of
Kathmandu, is very peaceful. Bodhnath, one of the biggest stupas
in the world, is two kilometers through some fields further to
the east, and can be visited in the same day. Changunarayan, a
two-hour walk from Bhaktapur is visited by few foreigners, and
Nagarkot, a town four hours from Bhaktapur, has some of the best
Himalayan views in the area. There is so much more. Give the
valley its due.
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