Nepal is a landlocked south Asian country. India and China have covered it from all sides. Though it is small in its geography and size, poses diverse natural properties and exciting areas to be visited. It is probably working with world's youngest republic. Kathmandu is its capital city which it also the only largest metropolitan city of this country. It is renowned in the world as a city of temples that well furnished handicraft, stone craft and metal craft have made this a living paradise. Its one time visitor can never forget it in his/her life. Thousands of visitors both internal and international come annually to visit and enjoy their short and valuable holiday. Good management of security, generous and benevolent behaviors of local people and government's clear and good policies have supported visitors to keep it at top of their list of areas to be visited. Nepal government has recently launched Nepal Tourism Year 2011 to promote and develop it as a tourist area. You may make your short and valuable time really immemorial by visiting. Here is a short list of few high-class hotels and some details about them to ease one to search and find best one for him/her to make his/her stay in Nepal a joyful one. There are mainly 4 categories of hotels available Five Star Hotels, Four Star Hotels, Three Star Hotels and Local Common Typed Hotels.
Major Five Star Hotels of Nepal:
Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu:
It is a luxury high class five star hotel resort situated at just a distance of 10 km away from the city of Kathmandu. Tribhuwan International Airport, Boudhanath Stupa, Kapan Gumba and other different shopping centers and business houses are just around it.One can enjoy the International standard service and accommodation facility in this hotel. Nepalese, Chinese, Indian and other continental dishes are available here Separate working areas with high speed internet facility, wide and well furnished rest rooms, well equipped and facilitated bed rooms with terrace to overlook the serene vista are some of its distinct features. Other Five Stars of Nepal are:
1. Yak and Yeti
2. Hotel Radisson
3. Hotel de la Annapurna
Major Four Star Hotels of Nepal:
Hotel Shankar:
Hotel Shakar is one four star of Nepal located at just by the center city. It is situated in an old palace constructed by the Rana Maharaja which echoes the French architectural pattern. It is developed as a business house in 1964. High class service and infrastructures have made it really a good hotel. There are 94 luxurious rooms, 10 suitors, two restaurant, two bars, coffee shop, music opera, swimming pool and many more.
Other renowned Four Star Hotels of Nepal:
1. Hotel Himalayan
2. Grand Hotel
3. The Blue Star Hotel
Major 3 Star Hotels of Nepal:
Samsara Resort :
Offering a panoramic view of Langtang Himalayan Range and other Himalayas, Samsara Resort boasts to be a deluxe 3 star hotel of Kathmandu. Peaceful atmosphere, panoramic view of surrounding areas have made it really good destination point. There are 25 air conditioned and advanced rooms with high speed internet access, well furnished furniture. It arranges various travel and tours package to the city's famous tourist areas and historic places.
Other Renowned 3 star hotels of Nepal:
1. Hotel Mountain
2. Maruni Sanctuary Lodge
3. Kathmandu Guest House
Some Famous Sacred Sites of Nepal
It is interesting to have opportunity to observer and travel around the sacred religious sites and historical places of Nepal. There are many sacred sites in Nepal so it is also known as a country of temples. UNESCO have enlisted ten major places of historical and cultural importanted as World Heritage Sites. Your just a visit will help to explore the sites of real natural beauty and places of historical importances. There are few details of some prominent sacred sites of Nepal.
The Pashupatinath Temple:
This sacred shrine of God Shiva is situated just by the side of Bagmati River, a sacred river. It is the only largest and most worshipped Shiva Temple of the world. There is a sacred Shiva Linga of 3.5 feet height with five facets and it is only one in the world of its type. Located at just a distance of 5 km on northern east side is surrounded by Slesmantak Jungle.Silver coated artistic doors, gold plated roofs, pagoda house have made it cheristamic. Shiva Ratri is the famous day in which hundreds of thousand pilgrims and Saadhus visit this sacred site to pay their homage to the Lord Shiva. Hindus are only permitted to enter the temple complex however non-hindus can easily get a clear view to the temple complex from all sites at just a distance.
The Swayambunath Stupa:
It is believed to be created automatically about 2000 years ago that literally "Swa" a Sanskrit word means "Self" and "bhu" another Sanskrit word suggests "land" so it is defined as created by itself. It is enlisted in World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is situated at a distance of three kilometers on westward from the center city Kathmandu at a top of Padhmagiri hillock. It is a sacred Buddhist Shrine. The artistic and scriptural beauty and geographical location have made it a mystic place of Kathmandu. The four sides of the temple is painted with four eyes of Lord Buddha which is believed to be his watchful eyes. It is a good habitat of wild monkeys thus some have named it as monkey temple too.
The Boudhanath Stupa:
It is one of the sacred and largest Buddhist shrine of Nepal. It is supposed to be built in the 14 th century. There are almost 45 different Buddhist monasteries in its premise. It is another World Heritage Site of Kathmandu valley. Thousands of visitors especially Tibetan pilgrims visit this shrine daily. In these days it has emerged as a best location for pilgrimage and meditation.
Lumbini :
It falls in Terai fringe of Middle Nepal in the Rupandehi district. It is the sacred birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha. It is a complex of temples and shrines dating from 2en century B.C. to the 9th Century A.D. to the monasteries of modern time. The Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Temple which was built by the late king of Mustang and the Lumbini Bihar built by Nepal Government are some center of attraction in its main complex area. Outside the main complex there are other different stupa built by other countries. Thousands of visitors visit this sacred shrine daily.
Changunarayan Temple:
It is located on the top of Doladri hillock at a distance of 12 kilometers northward from the center city of Kathmandu valley at an altitude of 5000 meter. It is believed to be the Nepal's oldest temple of Pagoda Style built in about 3rd century. It is famous for its architecture and art-craft.
Budhanil Kantha Temple:
It is situated at the southern base of Shivapuri hillock at a distanc of 7 kilometers on northern side of the Center city of Kathmandu. It is named after Lord Bishnu. It is the largest lying statue of Nepal and Bharat. It is believed to be built by king Bishnu Gupt about 642 B.S. The gigantic statue of Lord Bishnu is lying on a 11-headed snake.
Trekking in Annapurna Conservation Area
As per government's record, about two thirds of trekkers of Nepal region like to go through the Annapurna Region. The Annapurna Conservation Area(1986) is one of the best trekking regions of Nepal liked by trekkers of the world. It mainly has three major long trekking routes with other different short trekking routes. Those three major long trekking routes are: the Jomson trek which goes to Jomsom and Muktinath, The Annapurna Sanctuary route that goes to Annapurna base camp and The Annapurna Circuit that revolves around the Annapurna Himalayan range itself. All these trekking routes generally start from Pokhara Valley.
Availability of plentiful of guesthouses, diverse and panoramic sceneries of high mountains, especially of Annapurna Himalayan ranges and lowland of south areas have made this area a good and safe area for trekking.
Availability of plentiful of guesthouses, diverse and panoramic sceneries of high mountains, especially of Annapurna Himalayan ranges and lowland of south areas have made this area a good and safe area for trekking.
Annapurna Himalayan Range
Annapurna Himalaya is a the one among the world's ten-highest peaks which ranges 8091 m. It is also the one of the world's fourteen eight thousanders i.e. peaks of height more than 8000 m. It is located at the central part of Nepal (28 degree 35'18" N 83degree 49'11" E to 28.595 degree N 83.819degree E). It falls under the Annarpurna Conservation Area Project (1986), a project run by Nepal Government body to preserve different natural resources and diversities by the area. This range consists more than 6 major summits of height more than 7200 m which are Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV , Annapurna South and Gangapurna. Annapurna Conservation Area is also renowned in the world as a best trekking area.
The name Annapurna is derived from a Sanskrit word which literally means" full of food". It has a religious importance too in Hinduism that it stands for" goddess of Harvest" or" goddess of fertility and agriculture". As per its geographical difficulty it is listed among the world's deadly mountains to climb with the fatality rate of more than 40 percentage.
Human's victory over this peak was registered by a French expedition group which was led by a French citizen Maurice Herzog on 3 June 1950. After that many attempts have been made by different expedition group to claim their victory over this most dangerous summit. By 2005, only 103 successful summit attempts have been registered on which 56 climbers have lost their lives during their expeditions. A British expedition group lead by Chris Bonington of 1970, an American expedition team the American Women's Himalayan Expedition led by Arlene Blum of 1978, a team of Polish Climbers of 1987 are few examples of attempts made by different groups on different times to trod the summit. A Slovenian climber Tamaz Humar by climbing this peak alone from south face made history as first solo climber of Annapurna I on 2007 October.
The name Annapurna is derived from a Sanskrit word which literally means" full of food". It has a religious importance too in Hinduism that it stands for" goddess of Harvest" or" goddess of fertility and agriculture". As per its geographical difficulty it is listed among the world's deadly mountains to climb with the fatality rate of more than 40 percentage.
Human's victory over this peak was registered by a French expedition group which was led by a French citizen Maurice Herzog on 3 June 1950. After that many attempts have been made by different expedition group to claim their victory over this most dangerous summit. By 2005, only 103 successful summit attempts have been registered on which 56 climbers have lost their lives during their expeditions. A British expedition group lead by Chris Bonington of 1970, an American expedition team the American Women's Himalayan Expedition led by Arlene Blum of 1978, a team of Polish Climbers of 1987 are few examples of attempts made by different groups on different times to trod the summit. A Slovenian climber Tamaz Humar by climbing this peak alone from south face made history as first solo climber of Annapurna I on 2007 October.
Parks, Museums and Zoos by the Kathmandu Valley
Here I have present few names of parks, Museums and zoos by the Kathmandu Valley and their some striking features:
Parks and Zoos:
Jawalakhel Zoo: It is famous for its rich collection of Himalayan flora and fauna. It’s a good collection place of birds and animals of South Asia. One horned rhina, hippopotamus, Chimpanzees, Royal Tigers, Ostrich are its central of attraction. About 4,000 visitors visit this area daily.
Royal Botanica Garden of Godavari: It is famous for its good collection of Himalayan flora and herbs . it falls just at the distance of 19 kilometer south-east of center city of Kathmandu Valley.
Balaju Water Garden: It is associated with some religious value. It is believed to have been built in about 18 th century which falls at the distance of 5 km north-west. 22 makara-headed water spots have added religious value on it.
Gokarna Safari Park: It is famous for elephant safari which falls at the distance of 10 km eastward direction.
Museums:
The National Museum: It falls near Swayambhunath Stupa. It is a rich collection place of Nepali Military weapons, Nepali art and culture.
Tribhuwan Museum of Darbar Square: It is a rich collection place that gives a detail information about the life of late Royal Familys especially of Birendra.
The Museum of Natural History: It is located near Swayambhunath Stupa at a distance of about 3 km from the central city. It is a collection center of different living species of birds and butterflies.
The National Art Museum of Bhaktapur: It is a collection center of thanka arts and relics.
Parks and Zoos:
Jawalakhel Zoo: It is famous for its rich collection of Himalayan flora and fauna. It’s a good collection place of birds and animals of South Asia. One horned rhina, hippopotamus, Chimpanzees, Royal Tigers, Ostrich are its central of attraction. About 4,000 visitors visit this area daily.
Royal Botanica Garden of Godavari: It is famous for its good collection of Himalayan flora and herbs . it falls just at the distance of 19 kilometer south-east of center city of Kathmandu Valley.
Balaju Water Garden: It is associated with some religious value. It is believed to have been built in about 18 th century which falls at the distance of 5 km north-west. 22 makara-headed water spots have added religious value on it.
Gokarna Safari Park: It is famous for elephant safari which falls at the distance of 10 km eastward direction.
Museums:
The National Museum: It falls near Swayambhunath Stupa. It is a rich collection place of Nepali Military weapons, Nepali art and culture.
Tribhuwan Museum of Darbar Square: It is a rich collection place that gives a detail information about the life of late Royal Familys especially of Birendra.
The Museum of Natural History: It is located near Swayambhunath Stupa at a distance of about 3 km from the central city. It is a collection center of different living species of birds and butterflies.
The National Art Museum of Bhaktapur: It is a collection center of thanka arts and relics.
Major Glaciers, Rivers and Lakes of Nepal
Nepal is the second richest region of the world for water resources which has remained at the top among the names of its other major natural resources. Wide ranges of Himalayan regions, deep forests, bio-diversity, well developed and finest art and craft have made a distinct identity of Nepal throughout the world.
Glaciers:
Glaciers of nepali Himalayan region have remained one main subject of interest of its foreigner visitors. Its major big glaciers fall in Eastern Himalayan Ranges and Western Himalayan Ranges which receives heavy ranges of snow in winter season. Nepal’s largest glacier falls in khumbu and Makalu Himalayan Ranges. Langtang glacier is its longest glaciers among other like Kanchanganga Glacier, Nupchu Glacier, Yalung Glacier.
River system of Nepal:
Nepali rivers can be categorized into three according to their origins. All of them began either from Himalayan region or Mahabharata Range or Churia Hill sides. Saptakoshi River System( Bhotekoshi, Dhudhkoshi, Tamor, Arun, Sunkoshi, Indravati), Gandaki River System(Kaligandaki, Bhudigandaki, Marsyandi, Seti, Madi and Daraundi) and Karnali River System(Humla Karnali, Mugu Karnali, Seti and Bheri) are names of few big river system of Nepal which begin from Himalayan Ranges. Out of these Kaligandaki is the longest river of Nepal and Karnali River System is the longest river system which falls in western Nepal .
Mechi, Mahakali, Bagmati, Rapti are other few names of major rivers of Nepal which begin from Mahabharat Hilly Regions which have remained the main sources of irrigation system of Nepal.
Other many small rivers flow through this region which mainly rely on monsoon water and go dry during winter season.
Lakes of Nepal:
Mountain lakes like Rara Lake which falls in Mughu District and which is the largest one of Nepal, Phoksundo Lake which falls in Dolpa District, Phewa Lake which falls in Pokhara valley and famous through-out the world, Goinsain Kunda Lake which is a sacred pilgrimage venue, Tilicho Lake which falls in Manang District , Khaptad Daha are few names of famous Nepali lakes.
Glaciers:
Glaciers of nepali Himalayan region have remained one main subject of interest of its foreigner visitors. Its major big glaciers fall in Eastern Himalayan Ranges and Western Himalayan Ranges which receives heavy ranges of snow in winter season. Nepal’s largest glacier falls in khumbu and Makalu Himalayan Ranges. Langtang glacier is its longest glaciers among other like Kanchanganga Glacier, Nupchu Glacier, Yalung Glacier.
River system of Nepal:
Nepali rivers can be categorized into three according to their origins. All of them began either from Himalayan region or Mahabharata Range or Churia Hill sides. Saptakoshi River System( Bhotekoshi, Dhudhkoshi, Tamor, Arun, Sunkoshi, Indravati), Gandaki River System(Kaligandaki, Bhudigandaki, Marsyandi, Seti, Madi and Daraundi) and Karnali River System(Humla Karnali, Mugu Karnali, Seti and Bheri) are names of few big river system of Nepal which begin from Himalayan Ranges. Out of these Kaligandaki is the longest river of Nepal and Karnali River System is the longest river system which falls in western Nepal .
Mechi, Mahakali, Bagmati, Rapti are other few names of major rivers of Nepal which begin from Mahabharat Hilly Regions which have remained the main sources of irrigation system of Nepal.
Other many small rivers flow through this region which mainly rely on monsoon water and go dry during winter season.
Lakes of Nepal:
Mountain lakes like Rara Lake which falls in Mughu District and which is the largest one of Nepal, Phoksundo Lake which falls in Dolpa District, Phewa Lake which falls in Pokhara valley and famous through-out the world, Goinsain Kunda Lake which is a sacred pilgrimage venue, Tilicho Lake which falls in Manang District , Khaptad Daha are few names of famous Nepali lakes.
Major world Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley
Major World Heritage Sites that fall in Kathmandu, the capital city
Among ten world heritage sites marked by UNESCO, seven falls in this valley.
Durbar Square: it is a historic place which is believed to have been built in between 12th to 18th century. It is a complex of ancient historic palaces, prehistoric temples, Kumari Ghar, Taleju Temple, Hanumandhoka Palace. An amazing thing here is the 17th century stone inscription in different languages which is set in the wall of the palace. As a world heritage site, this area has remained as one of the social, religious and urban focal point of this state. Even to this date, all major state and social ceremonies are performed in its courtyard. The solemnization of coronations used to be performed there during its monarch system. There is a museum inside the Durbar Square which has remained as a subject of attraction of its all visitors. Nepal Government has formed a local body to look after this historic heritage site. One can easily visit this area by paying certain amount of royalty to the body but here I claim that you will find the royalty a moderate one.
Swayambhunath Temple: It is another world heritage site marked by UNESCO. It is situated on westward of the center city at just a distance of three kilometer on the top of a hillock. It is one of the holiest oldest and glorious Buddhist shrine in the world. Its history which is supposed to be 2000 years old is linked to the establishment o civilization in Kathmandu Valley. The artistic and scriptural beauty have made this area a really mystical place. The four sides of the temple is painted with four eyes which are believed to be the watchful eyes of lord Buddha. Tourists have named it as monkey temple that it is always crowed with monkeys and one must be careful about their carriages while visiting the sites and should not tease them anyway. You can circle the area with a comfortable walk that it is developed in such a way with something religious established or marked on either sides. The sacred line of ‘Om Madipadme Hum’ can be read at any sides of the area.
Pashupatinath Temple: It is another temple, a religious world heritage site marked by UNESCO for its grand sculptural and artistic beauty. It is a most worshipped and sacred religious place of Hindu religion. It is the sacred shrine of Lord Shiva which falls at a just distance of 5 kilometers eastward from the center city. What has made this place charismatic are its richly ornamented pagoda houses, the sacred linga, gold plated roofs and silver coadted artistic doors. It is elieved as a most sacred abode of lor shiva in the world. Its history is suppsed ot be around 2000 years old. Shirva Ratri is the famous day in which hundreds of thousands pilgrims and Sadhus to worship and receive blessing from the Lord. This famous festivals falls between February to March in which flocks of sadhus and saints come to the area.
This temple has four silver coated artistic doors and a five facet 3.5 feet high sacred Shiva Linga (a symbol of penis made up of some especial type of stone). Such type of five facet Shiva Linga is rare in the world.
Changunarayan Temple: It is an ancient temple famous among nepalis and foreigners for its pagoda stylized temple. This temple falls on eastward sides about 12 kilometers from the center city. It is a temple of Lord Bishnu, one among three major gods of hindu religion. It is situated at the top of Doladri Hill Range at the altitude of 5000 feet. It is an ancient temple most probably built by king Hari Datta in about 3rd century. Panoramic surrounding, fabulous artistic craftsmanship, and different stone structures are few this which attracts visitors to this legend place.
Bouddhanath Stupa: It is one of the largest and sacred shrine of Lord Buddha of Nepal. There are almost 45 different monasteries in its premise. It is enlisted in world heritage site on 1979 by UNESCO. Khasa Chaitya is it’s another name. it is one of the largest spherical stupas of Nepal which is surrounded by 108 smalls depictions of small Buddha (Dhyani Buddha) .
Among ten world heritage sites marked by UNESCO, seven falls in this valley.
Durbar Square: it is a historic place which is believed to have been built in between 12th to 18th century. It is a complex of ancient historic palaces, prehistoric temples, Kumari Ghar, Taleju Temple, Hanumandhoka Palace. An amazing thing here is the 17th century stone inscription in different languages which is set in the wall of the palace. As a world heritage site, this area has remained as one of the social, religious and urban focal point of this state. Even to this date, all major state and social ceremonies are performed in its courtyard. The solemnization of coronations used to be performed there during its monarch system. There is a museum inside the Durbar Square which has remained as a subject of attraction of its all visitors. Nepal Government has formed a local body to look after this historic heritage site. One can easily visit this area by paying certain amount of royalty to the body but here I claim that you will find the royalty a moderate one.
Swayambhunath Temple: It is another world heritage site marked by UNESCO. It is situated on westward of the center city at just a distance of three kilometer on the top of a hillock. It is one of the holiest oldest and glorious Buddhist shrine in the world. Its history which is supposed to be 2000 years old is linked to the establishment o civilization in Kathmandu Valley. The artistic and scriptural beauty have made this area a really mystical place. The four sides of the temple is painted with four eyes which are believed to be the watchful eyes of lord Buddha. Tourists have named it as monkey temple that it is always crowed with monkeys and one must be careful about their carriages while visiting the sites and should not tease them anyway. You can circle the area with a comfortable walk that it is developed in such a way with something religious established or marked on either sides. The sacred line of ‘Om Madipadme Hum’ can be read at any sides of the area.
Pashupatinath Temple: It is another temple, a religious world heritage site marked by UNESCO for its grand sculptural and artistic beauty. It is a most worshipped and sacred religious place of Hindu religion. It is the sacred shrine of Lord Shiva which falls at a just distance of 5 kilometers eastward from the center city. What has made this place charismatic are its richly ornamented pagoda houses, the sacred linga, gold plated roofs and silver coadted artistic doors. It is elieved as a most sacred abode of lor shiva in the world. Its history is suppsed ot be around 2000 years old. Shirva Ratri is the famous day in which hundreds of thousands pilgrims and Sadhus to worship and receive blessing from the Lord. This famous festivals falls between February to March in which flocks of sadhus and saints come to the area.
This temple has four silver coated artistic doors and a five facet 3.5 feet high sacred Shiva Linga (a symbol of penis made up of some especial type of stone). Such type of five facet Shiva Linga is rare in the world.
Changunarayan Temple: It is an ancient temple famous among nepalis and foreigners for its pagoda stylized temple. This temple falls on eastward sides about 12 kilometers from the center city. It is a temple of Lord Bishnu, one among three major gods of hindu religion. It is situated at the top of Doladri Hill Range at the altitude of 5000 feet. It is an ancient temple most probably built by king Hari Datta in about 3rd century. Panoramic surrounding, fabulous artistic craftsmanship, and different stone structures are few this which attracts visitors to this legend place.
Bouddhanath Stupa: It is one of the largest and sacred shrine of Lord Buddha of Nepal. There are almost 45 different monasteries in its premise. It is enlisted in world heritage site on 1979 by UNESCO. Khasa Chaitya is it’s another name. it is one of the largest spherical stupas of Nepal which is surrounded by 108 smalls depictions of small Buddha (Dhyani Buddha) .
