Bhaktapur Day Tour of famous interesting world heritage sites of medieval period Bhaktapur city with ancient Changunarayan Temple both listed as world UNESCO world heritage sites.
Tour duration from 9 a.m. with few hour drives to Changunarayan Temple with an hour tour and then back to your hotel including sightseeing around Bhaktapur for couple of hours.
Tour duration from 9 a.m. to approx 5 p.m. with drive both ways:
At the start of Bhaktapur Day Tour, Morning gets ready after breakfast where our guide will pick you at 9 a.m. for an interesting drive on the outskirt of Kathmandu city heading North East past Bhaktapur city outskirts, as the drive climb uphill past farm villages to reach an old town of Changunarayan after few hour drives.
At Changunarayan visit the temple premises which Nepal’s oldest temple dates back to Lichava period of early as 325 A.D. L Placed on a high hilltop also called Changu or Dolagiri.
The surrounded by the serene forest of champak tree and a small Changu village located north of Bhaktapur.
Changu Narayan Temple dedicated to Hindu god Lord Visnu, regarded as oldest one in Nepal. The pagoda style temple has several masterpieces of 5th to the 12th century of excellent Nepalese art.
During King Licchavi King Hari Datta Verma regime 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.
After an hour of interesting time at Changunarayan with views of the green valley and snowcapped peaks in the distant north, our next tour continues with a short downhill to Bhaktapur an old medieval city retaining its rich heritage of past glory.
Bhaktapur means the city of ‘Devotees’ its ancient name as Bhadgaon,
Places to visit in Bhaktapur Day Tour:
- 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 the 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.
After an exciting and impressive tour of Bhaktapur our day tour completes with a drive back to Kathmandu and to your respective hotels by late afternoon around 5 p.m.
