Heritage Sites of Nepal
Nepal is filled with a lot of heritage sites. Considering its small size, the country is blessed with a fantastic array of heritage sites. Recognized by UNESCO, the world’s cultural organization, the sites display astonishingly rich cultural wealth of the country. Etched in the spirit and soul of Nepal, these special sites are also the iconic tourist attractions in the country.
The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu Valley features fine stupas, pagodas, temples & medieval city squares. All these make it worthy of being a heritage site.
Lumbini bears testimony as the actual birthplace of Prince Siddhartha, who later elevated millions by achieving enlightenment and becoming a Buddha.
Chitwan is the country’s first national park stretching over an area of 932 sq. km and supporting the rich wildlife wealth like leopards, tigers, rhinos, crocodiles, etc.
Sagarmatha is a unique natural heritage location which comprises Mt. Everest, and rugged natural charm. Highlights here are yaks, Himalayan tahrs, etc.
When we talk about heritage sites in Nepal, Kathmandu’s name tops the list. The city that enshrines the heritage in its name, i.e. wooden (Kath) and covered shelter (Mandu), the city holds distinctive importance in the country on the whole. Often referred to as mini Nepal, Kathmandu has world’s densest collection of World Heritage Sites. The capital of Nepal and the largest city as well, Kathmandu Valley comprises the three ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. These three legendary cities were once independent states under the Mallas from the 12th to the 18th centuries. The three cities under Kathmandu keep up the legacy of the country as the rich cultural destination and host around seven UNESCO World Heritage sites which are together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Kathmandu (Culture). Even the reminders of the golden era in the architecture can be seen during the Kathmandu tour. Here, tourists can explore numerous exquisite monuments, carved temples, intricate sculptures and magnificent art in the most promising way.
It has seven monuments and buildings which display the historical phases of Kathmandu in the most artistic way. The group of monuments includes the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bouddanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan.
Lumbini is another cultural site famous worldwide as the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama who later became Lord Buddha. Lumbini at that time was the beautiful forest where Queen Mayadevi on the way to her maternal kingdom delivered Buddha under the beautiful Sal grove and took his first seven steps on the Vaishaka Poornima. There is an actual stone that marks the exact birthplace of Buddha. Also, there is an inscribed pillar by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka which testifies the fact of Buddha’s birth on this location.
The next two heritage sites in Nepal are naturally associated with nature. There are two national parks for their sheer floral and faunal wealth and dramatic landscapes. The results are the unique and exceptional locations to have the most natural experience in Nepal. Chitwan National Park is one of the premium drawcards in this country. The location has over 932 sq km of forests, marshland and rippling grassland in humid Terai region and is home to sizeable populations of sal forest, rhinoceros, tigers, gharials, 450 bird species, etc.
The second most famous national park dwells around the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest or Sagarmatha in Nepali language. Tourists with a daring heart come to this natural heritage site to spot musk deer, Himalayan tahr, red pandas, snow leopard, black bears, yaks and many spectacular types of pheasant. Rich Sherpa culture is also one of the additional experiences to look out for while visiting the Sagarmatha National Park.
Above mentioned sites are distinctively seen in Nepal as the heritage holder of culture, customs, history and natural attractions the country possesses.