White Hill Adventure Treks & Expeditions offers wide range of exciting and interesting tour around Patan & Bhaktapur cities from half day to full day to 2 days or more, as Kathmandu a blend of modern and medieval period city where you will see many cultural-historical monuments of temples-Stupas-monasteries with old king palace and courtyard of great importance and of immense interest.White Hill Adventure Treks & Expeditions takes delight in showing you the past and present glory of Nepal around World Heritage Sites.
Tour of Patan (Lalitpur) & Bhaktapur: (approx: 05-06 hours)
A mystical and magical cities blending with modernization in the shade of old medieval period of time, where one can observe and marvel old culture and traditions as it was since past hundreds of centuries that still exists with its rich custom and historical monuments.An interesting and fascinating tour leads you in the heart of old part of Patan and Bhaktapur cities, where one can observe the ancient Malla periods fine architecture buildings and monuments.
Patan or Lalitpur “city of arts”
Morning after breakfast a short drive towards south of the city across the bridge enters Patan or Lalitpur city “city of arts” here tour of old Palace area with courtyard (Durbar) and tall terracotta building, impressive intricate window carvings, and the huge stone Krishna Temple in front pillar of Garuda a vehicle of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, after a great interesting time here drive to Kathmandu valley 3rd largest city, this medieval city at one time capital of Nepal during the regime of Malla period around 12th to 15th century.
Main places of interest its Durbar Square complex, situated in the center of Patan city, houses the residence of the former Patan Royal Family. Its square and surroundings are good example of ancient Newari architecture. There are three main courtyards in the palaces:
- Mul chowk, Sundari chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk.
- Mul chowk is the oldest one and is at the centre of Patan square.
- Several multi sized and a multi-styled temple houses the western part of the complex. Main among these is Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple and the Golden Temple of Hiranya.
Krishna Temple:
This temple of red stone, dedicated to Hindu Lord Krishna was erected in the 17th century. The temple is considered to be the first one to be constructed in Shikara architecture. Thanks to this attribute, it holds a commanding position in the durbar square. The elegant shikhara-style temple is ranked as one of the gems of Durbar Square. The temple is compared with sacred Mount Meru, which is abode of the god Shiva according to Hindu scriptures.
Mahaboudha:
Buddhist temple Mahaboudha, which is made of clay bricks, lies to the east of the Durbar Square. Hundreds of Buddha images are engraved in the bricks. The temple is known for its fine terra-cotta work.
Kumbheshwor:
The five-storied pagoda-style Lord Siva temple was constructed by King Jayasthiti Malla. Inside the temple is a natural spring whose source, is said to be the famous glacial lake of Gosainkunda. The golden work was added later in 1422 A.D. One the festival of Janai Purnima, ritual bathing takes place and a fair is also held.
Jagat narayan Temple:
Jagatnarayan temple is a tall shikhara style temple devoted to Lord Vishnu. Red bricks are used for the construction of the temple. The temple also holds a fine metal statue of Garuda, Ganesh and Hanuman, all related to Hindu religion and mythology.
Rudra Varna Mahavihar:
This Buddhist monastery holds amazing collection of images and idols in metal, stone and wood. Legend holds that the Kings in the ancient times were crowned in this monastery. Many of the treasures offered by the people can be seen here even today.
The Ashoka Stupas:
Indian Emperor Ashoka visited Nepal in 250 B.C and constructed four ancient stupas at the four corners of Patan. The four stupas are located in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi and in Teta (way to Sano Gaon) respectively.
Bhaktapur/Bhagoan “City of Devotees”:
Bhaktapur city at an altitude of 1,401 m high, with immense old culture, traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, rich local customs of every-day life.Bhaktapur meaning the city of ‘Devotees’ its ancient name Bhadgaon, slowly turning into modernization, still retains its past glory with old temples, royal courtyard and bazaar itself steeped with old history and monuments with many heritage sites to visit in this old part of the city of Bhaktapur.
Places to visit in Bhaktapur:
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
- Bhaktapur Nytapola Temple.
- The Bhaktapur National Art Gallery.
- Dattarya Square with famous peacock window.
- Pottery square and market.
- Old Changunararyan Temple.
- Picturesque Nagarkot hill top for views.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
Rich in historical monument, one of the world best Nepal heritage sites reflecting the city’s rich culture, art and architectural design, it is also the central setting of the city for architectural monuments and arts.
Famous golden gate entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 windows; the gate is regarded as the world’s most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind.
Bhaktapur Nytapola Temple:
One of the highlights of Bhaktapur and the landmark Nytapola Temple meaning 5 storied temple of 30 meter high, tallest temple of Kathmandu valley. Built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1708 AD, each of its five terraces holds a pair of figures, starting from bottom wrestlers, elephant, lion, griffins and goddesses.
The Bhaktapur National Art Gallery:
Located within Bhaktapur Durbar Square treasures rare paintings and manuscripts with painted covers and illustrations are found in this museum. Gallery contains brass, bronze, stone and wooden images of medieval art tradition of Nepal. Gallery is closed on Thursday and public holidays.
Bhairavnath Temple of Bhaktapur:
Originally built as one-story pagoda during King Jagat Jyoti Malla period, later changed into a three-storey temple in 1718 A.D. by King Bhupatindra Malla, this temple now stands for its artistic grandeur. Bhairavnath temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairab – the god of Terror.
Dattarya Temple:
Built in 1427 AD, the temple is said to have been built from a single tree visit a monastery having exquisitely carved peacock windows located near the temple area.
Pottery square and market:
Around Bhaktapur there are two main pottery area, the first pottery square is at Suryamadhi east from Dattarya temple square, it is the oldest pottery square, another pottery place leads south from the Nytapola square at Talako’s Potter’s Square walking along interesting markets side streets the pottery is in full blaze, the wide open brick courtyard with a mix of small grey and brownish red clay pots, where each pot is examined by hand before being turned to face the sun at new angle or dipped into a bucket of colored water.
Observe the craftsman on wheels shaping the clay in a finely tuned system of human pottery rotation from past centuries of old tradition.
Old Changunararyan Temple:
Oldest ancient temple of Nepal Changu Narayan, located on a high hilltop also called Changu or Dolagiri. The temple area is surrounded with forest of champak tree and small Changu village which is north of Bhaktapur.Changu Narayan Temple dedicated to Hindu god Lord Visnu,this temple is considered as the oldest one in Nepal. The pagoda style temple has several masterpieces of 5th to 12th century of excellent Nepalese art.
According to legends Changu Narayan temple existed as early as 325 A.D. in the time of King Licchavi King Hari Datta Verma and it is one of Nepal’s richest structures historically as well as artistically. In the grounds there is a stone pillar inscription of great importance recording the military exploits of King Man Deva who reigned from 496 A.D. to 524 A.D. The first epigraphic evidence of Nepalese history found in the temple premises during the reign of the Licchavi King Mandeva dating back to 464 A.D.Proves that temple was already been established as a sacred site in the 3rd century A.D. It is the earliest inscription known in Nepal
