4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
A 45-minute bus journey from Kathmandu
When to go
Between October and March
Minimum stay
One day
Kirtipur (Nepal)
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David Debrincat
Practical information about Kirtipur
Reviews of Kirtipur
Just six kilometres from Kathmandu, Kirtipur is a former fortified town which seems to capture times of old.
My suggestion:
It is advisable to turn down anybody who purports to be a guide wishing to accompany you. The town is of ample size and quite easy to discover for yourself.
Summary:
Many visitors find that Kirtipur is one of the most pleasant legs of their trip to Nepal.
Despite its rapid expansion and the appearance of more and more concrete, Kirtipur has managed to retain the charm of an old fortified town. Because accommodation is scarce, I would recommend that you limit your time in Kirtipur to a day – in the morning is best, so that you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise. Kirtipur really warrants more than a fleeting visit. You should take the time to walk up and down the small streets, admire the sculpted windows and gaze at the numerous temples. And on that note, there is something for everybody. Together the Thaï, Adibbudha, Uma Mahaheshvara and Bagh Bhairava temples as well as the Chitubihar stupa, make for a fine day trip.
*After the powerful earthquakes which hit Nepal in April and May 2015, the country is slowly rebuilding itself. This article was written before the disaster.
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David Debrincat
Kirtipur is a small city whose historical sector, built on the summit of a hill, contains many craftsmen and medieval temples. It lies in the Kathmandu Valley.
My suggestion:
At lunchtime, head to a restaurant with a panoramic view: the view over the valley is superb, and the local pizza, although very spicy, is delicious when washed down with a good cold beer!
Summary:
It's definitely worth making the trip to the old town: I still remember the sweltering heat at the approach of the rainy season and the hillside climb which left me panting, before realising that I still had to tackle a particularly steep stone staircase before reaching the 'holy grail'...
So, dripping with sweat, my heart working overtime, I reached the old town, where I spent several hours basking in the atmosphere there: the temples and the view over the town below are impressive, and the workshops of the craftsmen in the little streets just off of the large town square, who offer original wares, are really interesting to visit.
If you get the chance during your stay in Nepal to spend a few days in the Kathmandu valley, and if you have some time left after Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan, do go and explore the more picturesque Nepal of the other villages. Head off to visit this unique city in the heart of the country, where the architecture of its temples, the beautiful result of an odd mix of the Buddhist and Hindu cultures, will leave you with food for thought.
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Emeline Mainy
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Emeline Mainy
157 travellers' photos
