Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Nepal's capital and largest metropolis, is unlike any other city on the planet. The city's aging structures stand in stark contrast to the vibrant energy that pervades the streets. While street vendors push their wares and people go about their everyday lives against a backdrop of antique temples and carved statues, the smell of incense wafts from storefronts.

Kathmandu, along with Bhaktapur and Patan, was one of three rival royal towns for hundreds of years. These three are so close together that they almost run into each other today.

Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal capitals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has long been a centerpiece of Kathmandu. Here you will see temples and monuments of all shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths. The 2015 earthquake badly damaged Kathmandu's Durbar Square, with many buildings wrecked beyond repair, but it remains a unique location to visit.

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Entrance fee: N/A
Best time to visit: September to November
Hours: N/A