An intricate statue in Bhaktapur's Durbar Square

If you want to experience living history, Bhaktapur is the place to go. Situated on the eastern border of Kathmandu, the whole town is like a living museum.

Bhaktapur was once a city in its own right and the capital of Nepal from the 12^th to the 15^th century when the monarchy lived in the stunning Palace of 55 Windows. 

The central Durbar Square is a living testimony to the beauty and skill of Newari architecture, the Newars being the indigenous people of the Kathmandu valley. Multiple storied temples and palaces adorned with intricate wooden carvings create a glimpse into a rich and colourful past. 

Bhaktapur was on the trade route between China/ Tibet and India, and therefore flourished both in material and spiritual wealth. Its temple builders developed the construction of the pagoda, which spread through Tibet, China and all the way to Japan. 

Today Bhakatpur is home to 78,000 residents and a protected area. Visitors must pay a  $10 fee to enter the town, which is a popular day trip and also a quiet place to stay in Kathmandu away from the noise and pollution of the more typical tourist areas.