Discover Nepal guide

Kathmandu District: Culture & Travel Guide

Explore Kathmandu District: geography, communities, heritage, food, trekking routes, best time to visit and practical details.

The capital valley bowl — medieval Durbar squares, stupa skylines and a 21st-century metropolis in one district.

People and communities

The indigenous Newar civilization built the valley's cities; today Kathmandu hosts every community of Nepal — Brahmin, Chhetri, Tamang, Sherpa, Magar, Gurung, Newar, Muslim, Marwari and many more.

History

Kathmandu (Yen in Nepal Bhasa) has been the valley's seat of power since the Licchavi era; the Malla kings gave it the Durbar Square we see today, and Prithvi Narayan Shah made it the capital of unified Nepal in 1769.

Culture and traditions

Newar Guthi culture runs the city's hundreds of annual jatras; Indra Jatra in September pulls the living goddess Kumari through the old town in her chariot.

Food and agriculture

Newa cuisine is the valley's gift: chatamari, bara, choila, yomari, samay baji and juju dhau — best eaten in the courtyard restaurants of the old cities.

Best time to visit

Oct–Nov and Feb–Apr.

Places and heritage

  • Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO)
  • Swayambhunath (UNESCO)
  • Boudhanath Stupa (UNESCO)
  • Pashupatinath Temple (UNESCO)
  • Garden of Dreams