Frantic and chaotic yet utterly entrancing, the historic city of Kathmandu lays on the charm despite its third-world pitfalls. And even though a 2015 earthquake leveled large swathes of the city, the ancient wonders that remain make Kathmandu a must-visit for any history buff. Most make a beeline for Durban Square, Nepal’s religious and historic epicenter where sadhu holy men rub shoulders with foreigners amid exotic millennia-old sites.
Beyond the square, a labyrinth of alleyways comprises the city’s enchanting old town. Wander around on foot to marvel at the ancient Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas that pop up at every turn, being sure not to miss the highlights such as the Seto Machhendranath Temple, the Thahiti Tole, and the Kathesimbhu Stupa. Be sure to spend a few minutes absorbing the action at Ason Tole, the city’s most bustling junction which is traversed by a dizzying display of people every day.
To the west of the old town, Swayambhunath is Nepal’s most famous stupa – watch out for the marauding monkeys en route. And to the east, the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple provides a grizzly glimpse of human mortality as families cremate their deceased on the Bagmati River. Nearby, the Boudhanath Stupa is the country’s largest, which is particularly enchanting during prayer times at sunrise or sunset.