The city takes its name from Kasthamandap, the great wooden pavilion on Durbar Square. Built by Newar craftsmen, its old quarters are full of temples, shrines and carved windows on every corner.
From red brick to finely carved doors and beams, most of the old neighbourhoods are works of art that tell the stories of the Hindu and Buddhist gods. The whole city lives among its deities, and daily rituals carry on in the middle of the traffic.
The valley is home to around three million people and to more sacred sites than anyone could count. A curious traveller could spend ten days here and not see everything. In three or four days, though, you can see the finest monuments and squares without rushing. Some temples are open to Hindus only and can be admired from outside.
Kathmandu is also the base for all our programmes. The places below are the ones we visit most often.
