{"id":27245,"date":"2018-06-30T06:30:43","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T20:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=27245"},"modified":"2024-10-16T01:45:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T14:45:58","slug":"bhaktapur-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/bhaktapur-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Bhaktapur is a must-see city on your Nepal trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you\u2019re heading to Nepal<\/a> to see the mountains. The mighty snow-capped Himalayas are of course one of the many reasons you should visit Nepal. But, as you\u2019ll quickly discover, there\u2019s so much more to this fascinating land. <\/strong><\/p>\n

From the ancient cities, palpable spirituality and some of the world\u2019s kindest people. Nepal is a place many people just can\u2019t get enough of (myself included). The Kathmandu Valley<\/a> is one of the most amazing areas in the country, and it\u2019s packed with incredible towns, temples and culture. One of my favourite spots is Bhaktapur<\/a>, a small town located less than an hour away from the giant, chaotic capital of Kathmandu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bhaktapur is the third of the valley\u2019s medieval Newari cities, the other two being Kathmandu and Patan. It remains the best preserved of the three, despite the damage of the 2015 earthquake. The ancient city centre is car-free, making walking its cobbled streets very pleasant indeed. The whole town is like a living museum, with temples on every corner, bustling street markets and arts and crafts being produced wherever you turn. If you\u2019re interested in Nepali culture and heritage, this is a place you really must visit on your trip to Nepal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ancient heritage<\/h3>\n
\"A<\/a>

Photo captured by Annapurna Mellor<\/p><\/div>\n

Bhaktapur is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and there are literally hundreds of examples of traditional Newari architecture here. As you wander the city streets, you’ll constantly come across breath-taking buildings boasting complex patterns and the classic red brick exteriors. One of the most striking examples of architecture in Bhaktapur is Nyatapola Temple, unmissable due to its soaring five-tier roof. You can climb up the temple\u2019s long steps, stand under the arches and look down over beautiful views of the Taumadhi Square and its surrounding hills.<\/p>\n

Another must-see is Durbar Square, still stunning despite the earthquake damage. Many of the main temples are in the process of being repaired and restored after the quake. But, you can still enjoy sites like the Golden Gate of Bhaktapur, an incredibly detailed entryway that opens to the courtyard of the royal palace.<\/p>\n

GO NOW: EXPLORE BHAKTAPUR ON THIS 11-DAY ADVENTURE IN NEPAL<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Local food<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re eager to try some of Nepal\u2019s most traditional and unique cuisine \u2013 Bhaktapur is a great place to do so. The Newari culture here is celebrated, as is the food, and there are many homely meals on the menu that you\u2019ll struggle to find anywhere else in Nepal. One such dish is Samay Baji, an authentic Newari dish that\u2019s been passed down through generations and is made up of many small bites.<\/p>\n

You really can\u2019t leave Bhaktapur without trying the local yoghurt, Juju Dhau, also known as King Curd. This delicious yoghurt is served in clay pots at small shops around the city. Made from buffalo milk, it has a thick and creamy taste. It\u2019s often called the best yoghurt in the world, and I really do have to agree!<\/p>\n

RELATED: YOUR GO-TO GUIDE FOR NEPALI CUISINE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Arts and culture<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"A<\/a>

Photo captured by Annapurna Mellor<\/p><\/div>\n

The beauty of Bhaktapur must have inspired the local people because the city is now home to a\u00a0whole host of unique arts and crafts. Pottery is one of the major crafts, so head down to Potters\u2019 Square to see the creation of local clay pieces. From pots to bowls, yoghurt cups to souvenirs, they\u2019re all crafted, fired and painted around this square, and the locals are more than happy for you to observe and understand their artform. I find late afternoon a perfect time to come here \u2013 when light spills across the square and the potters collect up their creations after a day of them baking in the sun.<\/p>\n

Bhaktapur is also home to Nepal\u2019s National Art Gallery. Showcasing an impressive collection of paintings and traditional artefacts from the nation\u2019s past.<\/p>\n

TAKE ME THERE: VISIT BHAKTAPUR ON THIS 22-DAY ADVENTURE ACROSS INDIA AND NEPAL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

A City of Devotion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"A<\/a>

Photo captured by Annapurna Mellor<\/p><\/div>\n

The meaning of Bhaktapur is \u2018City of Devotion\u2019. Wake up early enough and you\u2019ll see why. Women in red dresses and men scouting Dhaka Topi hats carry offerings to the small temples dotted around the city. One of my favourite places to observe local religious devotion is Bhairavnath Temple. An ornate Hindu temple built in the typical red brick style and with a strikingly detailed golden door. Locals buy marigolds from nearby market stalls and leave them on the shrine and statues around the temple\u2019s entrance. Similar scenes exist throughout the city and observing them is a perfect way to start your day.<\/p>\n

While there is much to see in Bhaktapur<\/a>, my favourite thing to do here is wander around and soak up the unique atmosphere. While Kathmandu can feel overcrowded and chaotic, Bhaktapur is much quieter and more relaxed. Explore the city slowly. Take a couple of days to enjoy the timeless energy of the place and get to know the local people. It\u2019s the perfect spot to unwind after a long trekking trip or to get a taste for local culture before heading into the Himalayas.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR THE LATEST OFFERS, NEWS AND COMPETITIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Ready to discover the magic of Nepal? Check out our full range of trips to this amazing destination<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Uncover impressive local craftsmanship, unique Newari cuisine and fascinating ancient architecture in Nepal’s small town of Bhaktapur. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15936,"featured_media":47496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[180,1286,4,1935],"class_list":["post-27245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-asia","tag-city-guide","tag-nepal","tag-travel-guide","ipf_region-nepal"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n4 Reasons To Visit Bhaktapur In Nepal | 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