A stunning and diverse natural landscape, a rich history and culture and a warm spirituality make Nepal one of the best regions in Asia for a relaxing holiday. If you are thinking about going or already planning your trip, read on to discover wonderful places and things to do in Nepal.
**Guest post by Manmohan Singh
20 Most Amazing Places to Visit And Things to Do in Nepal.
Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, thanks to its location in the Himalayas. The nation is home to more than 100 trekking routes, many of which are quite popular among global tourists. Since the country is home to two Dharmic religions – Hinduism and Buddhism, you will find a number of temples and monasteries that have existed for more than 500 years.
Yoga is yet another field where Nepal’s popularity has boosted in recent years. If there is one country where the delight of nature can be glimpsed in the purest manner, it’s in Nepal. With so much cultural, historical, and spiritual importance, there is certainly no dearth of places to visit in Nepal.
Let’s have a look at the 20 best places to visit in Nepal where you must go while exploring its phenomenal beauty.
TIP: To get more info and get ready for your trip, you might want to buy Lonely Planet Nepal guidebook.
TIP: To get more info and get ready for your trip, you might want to buy Lonely Planet Nepal guidebook.
1. Sagarmatha National Park
Every mountaineer’s dream is to visit the most spectacular part of the Himalayas. Sagarmatha is the place of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. It is a part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape that is home to approx 100 mammals and 400 species of birds.
Sagarmatha National Park is all about witnessing the beauty of the Himalayas along with some breathtaking verdant scenery. This is a must-see if you visit Nepal for the first time.
TIP: To enjoy the views, nature and local culture, the most adventurous can book an Everest Base Camp Trek.
2. Kathmandu Durbar Square
Nepal and its historical background enjoy an unbreakable bonding. Durbar Square is probably the best example of the country’s rich history and one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu.
It is a part of the Kathmandu Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with two other Durbar Squares in the ancient cities of Patan and Bhaktapur. Millions of tourists from all over the world come to visit the incredible buildings and temples in the valley every year.
TIP: Book a full day Kathmandu tour to explore the main tourist attractions including Durbar Square.
3. Boudhanath Stupa
One of the most important Buddhist temples in Nepal and South Asia, Boudhanath is a massive stupa in the heart of Kathmandu. In 1979, the stupa was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You can enjoy complete silence in the spiritual atmosphere of this historical stupa. This is what to do in Nepal if you want to explore the local faith and spirituality.
4. Visit Panauti old town
Panauti, in Central Nepal, is one of the oldest towns in Nepal. With a number of stories obscured in the place, it becomes a must-visit site. One finds numerous temples that date back to the 15th century and even older.
The Indreshwar Temple is a unique-style pagoda in Panauti and is in good condition even after the 2015 earthquake. A number of Buddhist and Hindu temples highlight the cultural beauty of the place.
5. Pashupatinath Temple
Probably the most popular religious tourist destination in Nepal, Pashupatinath is a huge Lord Shiva Temple located in Kathmandu. Maha Shivratri celebrations at the temple are among the biggest fests in the country with more than a million people taking part.
The importance of this temple can be understood by its mention in Shiva Maha Purana. Worship in the sacred temple and embrace the blessings of Lord Pashupatinath, Nepal’s national deity.
By all means, this is one of the things to do in Kathmandu.
6. Annapurna Massif
Nepal is home to numerous mountains and Annapurna is one of the most breathtaking. In addition to the astonishing scenery of the massif, it provides some great moments to experience its grandeur while walking through the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
The mountain certainly mesmerizes you to the deepest layers of your heart when you pay a visit to its picturesque setting. Definitely one of the unmissable Nepal destinations.
READ MORE: Discover the best trekking places in Nepal
7. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is one of the four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Nepal and a popular site for nature visit. The park covers 952 km square of area in the Terai region of southern Nepal.
Multiple types of animals and birds can be found in the jungle, in addition to numerous plant kingdoms. Bengal Tiger, One-horned Rhinoceros, Gaurs, etc. are some of the animals found here. This is what to see in Nepal for nature and animal lovers.
8. Janakpur
The historical and religious relevance of Janakpur is quite amazing. The town is believed to have existed since Treta Yug, the era of Lord Rama. According to the Hindu Epic, Shri Ramcharitmanas, Janakpur is the birthplace of Goddess Sita, the queen consort of Rama. There is a Janaki temple in the town dedicated to Sita. The celebration of the traditional ritual of Ram-Janki Vivah is quite famous and attended by thousands of devotees.
9. Biratnagar
Travel to Biratnagar in search of some of the amazing facts from Mahabharata. The city was the seat of the ancient Kingdom of Virata where Pandavas found shelter during the time of Agyatvas. Chhath festival is celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm in Biratnagar and is an occasion not to miss. If you love religious festivals, do not miss Biratnagar’s Rath Yatra during Krishna Janmashtami.
10. Gokyo Lake
There is no exaggeration in saying that beauty is defined at Gokyo Lake in a staggering way. Located at a height of about 5000 m above the sea level, Gokyo is a system of six main lakes. In winters, the lakes freeze making them quite unique. In Hindu tradition, the lake is considered sacred. More than 500 people take bath on the occasion of Janai Purnima.
11. Pokhara
Pokhara is the second-most populated city in Nepal after the national capital, Kathmandu. The town stands for beauty, pleasure, and luxury. Pokhara is beautified by Annapurna’s snow-laden delight and Phewa Lake’s peaceful aroma that gives its visitors the most pleasing experience. The beautiful town is also known as the Yoga hub of Nepal, thanks to a number of Yoga schools and retreat centers. Yoga masters from Rishikesh, Bali, and Kerala, along with many local teachers present the best yogic experience. Make sure you include your yoga travel mat when packing for Nepal.
12. Lumbini – Buddha’s Birthplace
The place where Gautama Buddha took birth, Lumbini is a popular tourist destination and a World Heritage Site in Nepal. One can witness the whole lifestyle and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama here in the sacred town.
Numerous temples, monasteries, and Buddhist Buildings touch your soul. Maya Devi Temple is surely the best attraction in Lumbini. Learning more about Buddhism and the local spirituality is also one of the reasons to visit Nepal.
13. Sinja Valley
The valley of Sinja marks the amalgamation of cultural and natural importance. Located in Karnali Province, the place was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Khasas. A number of temples, palaces, and building from the ancient era were found in excavations. The place was included in UNESCO’s tentative list of heritage sites.
14. Sarangkot
An adventure hotspot, Sarangkot attracts numerous national and international tourists, who love to enjoy the thrill of paragliding and other adventurous sports. Himalaya’s panoramic views, sunrise, and sunset can also be enjoyed from the hill-town of Sarangkot. Witness nature in its purest form her in Sarangkot to please your soul to the deepest.
15. Manaslu
Manaslu is famous for many things. While the beauty of the entire region is surely spellbinding, trekking gives an astonishing thrill to globetrotters from around the world. The mountain’s elevation is 8163m, making it the 8th highest mountain on earth. Witness bliss with open eyes here in the Manaslu region. While trekking, you come across various types of flora and fauna, along with Nepal’s ethnic traditions.
16. Langtang National Park
Among the most diverse national parks in Nepal, Langtang holds the prominent spot. From tropical forests to alpine trees, one comes across multiple shades of nature at Langtang. Gosainkunda Lake, at an altitude of 4300m, boosts the beauty of the national park. The lake has historical significance as an abode to Shiva and Parvati. If you love trekking, the region is an ideal place to walk through the picturesque trails of the Dhunche-Helambu trek route.
17. Nagarkot
Breathtaking Nepal’s another masterpiece; Nagarkot is a powerhouse of natural and adventurous experiences. The hill station was once the favorite royal summer holiday destination. The view of sunrise through the Himalayas is a moment to relish in Nagarkot. The soul-enchanting environment of the greenery-rich town mesmerizes you incredibly.
18. Poon Hill, Ghorepani
Want to have the most spellbinding view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri? Poon Hill is the place to be at. The site of beauty-watching is located in the Ghorepani village. While trekking on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, many travelers stay at Ghorepani and create fascinating memories in the Himalayan heartland.
19. Garden of Dreams
Swapna Bagaicha or Garden of Dreams is a beautiful historical park in Kathmandu. The garden is located in Kaiser Mahal, a Rana Palace of Nepal. It was created by Field Marshal Kaiser Shumsher Rana. Various kinds of flowers can be found in the garden that was partially damaged during the 2015 Earthquake.
20. Ilam
Nepal’s tea-house presents some of the most picturesque settings through its verdant tea gardens. Set in the Mahabharata Range in the far east of the country, the town wins the heart and soul of the visitors with its astonishing natural beauty. To witness the best tea gardens, do not forget to visit Kanyam. Antu Pond is another beautiful reflector of the incredible natural vegetation of Ilam.
Bio: Manmohan Singh is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He provides Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal. He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature and the Himalayas.
