History of Bhaktapur
Founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla, Bhaktapur quickly rose to prominence as a vital center of political power and cultural life in medieval Nepal. It served as the capital of the greater Malla Kingdom until the late 15th century, when the valley was divided into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.
Throughout the centuries, Bhaktapur was renowned for its splendid architecture and as a nexus of traditional crafts such as pottery and weaving. The city’s artisans were famed for their skill in creating exquisite ceramics and intricate woodcarvings, many examples of which still adorn the city’s temples and palaces today.
The cultural and political landscape of Bhaktapur was profoundly shaped by the Malla dynasty, which ruled until the 18th century. Under the Mallas, the city flourished. The dynasty’s commitment to culture and religion can be seen in the construction of iconic structures such as the Nyatapola Temple, the tallest temple in Nepal, built by King Bhupatindra Malla in the early 18th century.
Top Things to Do in Bhaktapur
1. Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square
I remember seeing this quote on the pamphlet we were given as we bought our tickets:
“Were there nothing else in Nepal, save the Durbar Square of Bhaktapur, it would still be amply worth making a journey halfway round the globe to see.” by E.A. Powell.
And I must say, it certainly strikes a chord.
The square is characterized by its wide array of temples, palaces, and courtyards, each telling its own story of the city’s illustrious past.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a living center of cultural activity. It is a focal point for festivals, traditional ceremonies, and daily social interactions, making it a lively spot that reflects the ongoing cultural practices of the Newar community.
Let’s go through some of the must see sites around the square below.
2. Visit the Vatsala Temple
The Vatsala Temple is known for its dedication to Vatsala Devi, a form of the Hindu goddess Durga.
Constructed in the 17th century during the reign of King Jitamitra Malla, the Vatsala Temple is renowned for its sandstone structures and the detailed carvings that adorn its walls and pillars. One of the temple’s most notable features is its use of finely carved stones rather than the brick and timber typically used in Nepalese temple construction. This gives it a distinctive appearance and texture that sets it apart from other temples in the square.
The temple was famously known for its magnificent silver bell, known as the “Bell of Barking Dogs.” When rung, the bell’s sound is said to have echoed throughout the Durbar Square, and it was traditionally rung to signal daily rituals and ceremonies within the temple.
3. Check out the 55 Window Palace
The 55 Window Palace, derives its name from the fifty-five intricately carved wooden windows that adorn the facade.
Historically, the 55 Window Palace served as the royal seat of power for the Malla kings of Bhaktapur and was a focal point for governance. Inside, the palace is equipped with courtyards, ceremonial rooms, and a royal bath, each decorated with carvings and statues that narrate tales from Hindu mythology.
The palace also features a beautifully carved golden gate, which is considered one of the most striking architectural pieces in Nepal. This gate leads to the main courtyard, known as Nasal Chowk.
4. Climb the Nyatapola Temple
Standing tall in Taumadhi Square, it is the tallest temple in Nepal and one of the tallest buildings in the Kathmandu Valley. Built in 1702 during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla, this five-story pagoda-style temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune.
The name “Nyatapola” translates to “five stories” in Newari, the language of the Newar people who are indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley. Each level of the temple symbolically represents one step closer to the heavens, with the goddess residing at the topmost floor, overlooking the city.
Approaching the temple, you’re greeted by a staircase flanked by guardian figures. These statues increase in strength and fierceness as one ascends, starting with the legendary wrestlers Jayamel and Phattu at the bottom, followed by elephants, lions, griffins, and finally, the goddesses Baghini and Singhini at the top, near the entrance.
5. Don't Miss the Bhairabnath Temple
The Bhairabnath Temple, dedicated to Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, is one of Bhaktapur’s most venerated sites.
Originally built as a one-story structure by King Jagat Jyoti Malla in the late 16th century, the temple was later reconstructed and expanded to three stories by King Bhupatindra Malla in the 18th century.
6. Find the Peacock Window
The Peacock Window, also known as the “Mona Lisa of Nepal,” is one of the most admired architectural pieces in Bhaktapur. Located on the facade of the Pujari Math, which was built by King Bhupatindra Malla, this intricately carved wooden window is a masterpiece of Newar craftsmanship.
This exquisite window gets its name from the detailed carving of a peacock at its center. The Peacock Window is not just a decorative element; it is also a symbol of the artistic heritage of Bhaktapur.
Unfortunately, while we were there the front side was under construction so we were only able to see the back side’s Peacock Window which was nevertheless quite beautiful as well!
7. Marvel at the Dattatraya Temple
8. Immerse Yourself at the Pottery Square
9. Hike to Suryabinayak Ganesh Temple
The Suryabinayak Ganesh Temple, located just outside of Bhaktapur, is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.
After we had finished looking around both Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, we found that we still had a lot of time left so I asked my friend where she wanted to go next and we ended up taking a taxi to this temple.
You can find awesome views of the city of Bhaktapur and the surrounding mountains from here though I recommend going further up to see the sunset on the other side of the mountains with a short hike.
10. Watch the Sunset at Gundu Hill
Which brings us to Gundu Hill. This is just a short hike from Suryabinayak Ganesh Temple, you’ll pass through some prayer flags and a valley to see the opening on the other side which is well worth it as you can see from the photo.
11. Relax at Likha Narayan Temple
The Likha Narayan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. To be honest, this temple is nothing too special to write home about, but what we experienced here became the highlight of our Bhaktapur visit.
It was just a short walk away from the top of Gundu Hill’s viewpoint so we thought to go check it out. We ended up hearing music and found out that the local Newari people, dressed all in red, were dancing. I could pick up some words from them that they were dancing to Ram Lila, which I assumed was about the Ramayana.
We ended up joining them in their festivities and were even invited for dinner which was one of the most culturally immersive experiences we had in Nepal as everything was just so spontaneous and authentic.
12. Take a Daytrip to Lalitpur
If you’re already visiting Bhaktapur, you can also easily go to Lalitpur via a short taxi ride or a microbus if you’re adventerous!
Once in Lalitpur, a visit to Patan Durbar Square is essential. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is rich with royal history, displaying a complex of palaces and temples that once served the Malla kings of Lalitpur.
Lalitpur has a lot of things on offer and I highly recommend checking out my travel guide on it here!
13. Don't Forget Kathmandu
Kathmandu serves as the gateway to the Himalayas and is the urban hub of the country, brimming with life, history, and spirituality.
At the city’s core is Kathmandu Durbar Square, another UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring a royal palace and several ancient temples that showcase the architectural grandeur of the past.
Be sure to check out my comprehensive travel guide on Kathmandu as well.
Where to Stay near Bhaktapur
If you’re planning on finding a place to stay near Bhaktapur, the best choice would be in Kathmandu. Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are easily doable via a day trip so it makes sense to make Kathmandu your base as it makes it easier for you to move around to your next destination in Nepal.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Kathmandu:
Best Hotels near Bhaktapur:
- Swarga Heritage Hotel – provides free WiFi, a restaurant, free private parking, a bar, a terrace, and a shared lounge, with family rooms available. Each room includes air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable, an electric kettle, a private bathroom with a shower, slippers, a desk, and a closet. Daily breakfast options include à la carte, continental, or American.
- Kailash Boutique Hotel – features concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi, and a terrace. Amenities include free shuttle service, a 24-hour front desk, room service, a shared lounge, and currency exchange. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with a desk, electric kettle, minibar, safety deposit box, flat-screen TV, and private bathroom. Breakfast options include buffet, à la carte, or continental.
- Everest Boutique Hotel – features a fitness center, private parking, a terrace, and a bar. Amenities include a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen, free WiFi, room service, concierge service, and currency exchange. You can enjoy a buffet, continental, or Full English/Irish breakfast each morning.
Best Hostels near Bhaktapur:
- Elbrus Home – a well-known hostel that has been around for a long time. This is where we stayed and all I can say is it feels like home. The rooms are unassuming yet it was enough, with a private bathroom and working hot water as well. I really enjoyed the laidback vibes of the mornings. Breakfast is always good with some fruits, grains, and tea. I particularly liked the portraits of Hindu and Buddhist deities around the halls and rooms. The garden is another nice place to relax and the staff are exceptionally friendly and accomodating.
- Flock Hostel Kathmandu – offers air-conditioned dorms with privacy curtains, luxury private rooms, a communal lounge, a library, a workspace, and a travel desk. Enjoy modern amenities like super-fast Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, smart RFID room access, luggage storage lockers, and a rooftop cocktail bar. Flock Hostel also has an excellent travel desk through its in-house agency to assist with treks, hikes, day tours, and adventure sports.
- WanderThirst Hostels – provides a warm, shared environment for travelers from around the world, offering clean and spacious rooms categorized into dorm rooms, private rooms, and female dorm rooms, all with comfortable beds and bathrooms with hot and cold water. Each room is uniquely themed to inspire your wanderlust spirit even while relaxing.
How to Get Around Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur’s historical center, especially around Bhaktapur Durbar Square, is best explored on foot. The city’s ancient streets and alleyways are mostly pedestrianized, making walking not only the easiest but also the most rewarding way to see the city’s famous temples, palaces, and traditional homes up close.
We easily explored all of the sites here on foot except for the Ganesh temple as that one requires a taxi or a microbus if you’re more knowledgeable on the routes but we found it to be a hit or miss.
Best Time to Visit Bhaktapur
How to Get to Bhaktapur
Plan Your Trip to Nepal | Best Travel Resources
Book Your Accommodations
- Booking.com – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
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Don’t Forget Insurance
- SafetyWing – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.
Find Cheap Flights
- Kiwi.com – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally.
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- GetYourGuide – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.
Catch a Ride
- Rentalcars.com – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.
