Bhaktapur is one of the valley’s ancient sites, featuring temples, ponds (some without water), museums, and a durbar known as Bhaktapur Durbar Square. One of the amusing facts of Bhaktapur that many people are unaware of is that at one point in time, there were probably more temples and gods than roofs of homes and people. You will never be bored even if you travel here alone as you’ve got various
This location, which is only 8 miles from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, provides a unique experience of Newa culture outside of the major city.
Despite its proximity to the capital, it has maintained its distinct personality. And you can do a lot more exploring here than you imagined.
Have you ever wondered how you could be at such a historically significant location and never become bored, even if you aren’t that hypothetical?
So, if you’re new to this lovely city and need help figuring out what to do, this post will help you out.
Here, I’ve listed the top 10 things to do in Bhaktapur:
- Cultural Sightseeing
Bhaktapur is a historical city with numerous temples, monuments, and heritage sites that have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan temple, statues, and pati-pauwas. So, whether for visitors or insiders, cultural sightseeing is one of the most popular things to do in Bhaktapur.
Along with these, you can witness the Golden Gate, which is known as Nepal’s proficiency in bronze work, as well as the gate to the Durbar Square, which is made of brick and coated with white lime and looks incredible at night with all of the light and white lime works. A statue of King Bhupatindra Malla stands in front of the Golden Gate and is quite lovely. Alongside the Golden Gate temple, you can’t miss the 55-window palace.
Also, there are many temples like Nyatapolo temple also known as 5 storeyed-temple, and Dattatraya temple, the oldest one in Bhaktapur city.
- Tasting local food and wine
Bhaktapur city, being a Newari community, offers outstanding and authentic Newari delicacies that you must try, such as bara with spicy alu, choila, local wine, Yomari, and many more.
Along with these, the Dajuvai chatpate store, located behind the durbar plaza, offers famous chatpate and panipuris. This store is popular with everyone, not just teenagers. People travel from all over the country to sample their famous chatpate and panipuris.
If these items do not satisfy you, there are plenty of other restaurants and cafés that provide excellent food and service.
- Short hikes
If you enjoy adventure, short hikes are the best alternative for you.
Within the Bhaktapur area, you can hike to Pilot Baba, Ranikot, Ashapuri, Doleshwor shrine, Nagarkot, and Kalamasi dam, among other attractions. Pilot Baba is a lovely perspective with an ashram that is still quite serene. Ranikot is a high vantage point from which you may obtain a panoramic view of Bhaktapur and Kathmandu city. Similarly, the temples of Ashapuri and Doleswor are both sacred sites.
Then there’s Nagarkot and Kalamasi. Nagarkot is one of Bhaktapur District’s most gorgeous locations. It is famous for its sunrise vista of the Himalayas, which includes Mount Everest and other peaks in eastern Nepal’s Himalayan range. Nagarkot also provides a spectacular view of Kathmandu Valley. On the route to Nagarkot, there is a dam called Kalamasi, which is very calm and has a lush green landscape.
- Celebrate Jatras
Jatras are the resemblances of festivals. Bhaktapur offers you a flew of surprises with jatras kinda stuff when you visit the city between mid-April and August.
Thousands of people assemble to celebrate at Jatras, which is the festival’s face. At least once a month, Bhaktapur invites large and small jatras. If you visit Bhaktapur between mid-April and August, you will be greeted by a slew of surprises.
The Biska Jatra is a huge festival in which lingo is established and then diminished for the sake of good fortune. In the same way, the Gai Jatra is held in mid-April and August to create a hilarious atmosphere where people remember all those who have died over the years. The family and relatives take part in a march across the city with a cow or a cow-like object. Also, they play ghinta-ghisi with the sticks in the music of various instruments like bansuri, and dhime baja.
Being in Bhaktapur gives you the opportunity to participate in various jatras. The majority of the Newa people come from an agricultural background, thus they celebrate jatras to forget about their hard labor and pains.
- Walk near the ponds
Bhaktapur is a city with a large number of ponds such as Siddhapokhari, Na pukhu, Kamal Binayak pokhari, Chyamasingh pokhari, Byasi pukhu, Nag pokhari. Among these Siddhapokhari is the famous one to hang out with friends and also parents bring their children here to enjoy the pleasure of feeding the numerous fishes in the pond. Similarly, Nag Pokhari is the biggest pond in Bhaktapur.
- Enjoy the specialty of Bhaktapur: Juju Dhau
In Newari, juju means king, hence juju dhau means king of curd. Bhaktapur’s signature dish is juju dhau. When visiting the city, it is a must-have item.
If you truly want to taste it, you can find it at a variety of venues and businesses.
- Roaming around the museums/ historical tours
In the city of Bhaktapur, there are three notable museums. If you are interested in history and wood carvings, you should visit Bhaktapur’s museums. It will be worthwhile to see these locations.
The first one is the Museum of Wood Carving located behind the Dattatraya temple which is best known for the peacock window. The next one is the Museum of Brass and Bronze again located behind the Dattatraya temple which has a good collection of metalware and ancient houseware. Another one is the National Gallery of Art which has pieces of stone carvings and manuscripts, as well as a fine collection of the thangka.
Apart from these museums, Bhaktapur city has a few art galleries and museums.
- Shopping at Bhaktapur
Shopping and collecting unique items is always a thing when comes to visiting a new city. Bhaktapur is a shopping hall that sells some of Nepal’s most unusual items.
Newari costumes, such as Haku patasi which is a traditional Newari wear with a red-coloured border in a black sari), thangka paintings, Dhaka topi (a black cap), carpets, Nepali handmade garments, and papers, as well as clay crafts, and many other goods can be purchased. The nice aspect is that you can also conduct some bargaining which seems exciting to those who are experts at bargaining.
- Enjoy Pottery work
Bhaktapur is also known for its outstanding ceramic artwork. Pottery Square is a popular place for enjoying pottery work where you’ll find Khutruke also called money pots, diyos which are traditional clay bowls used to light fires during the Tihar festival, miniature statues, and many more.
You might enjoy seeing the process of manufacturing them if you are willing to stay for some more time.
- Photography
In Bhaktapur, you can engage in a common yet artistic activity: photography. If you’re not into that sort of thing, you may always enjoy the wedding shoots that occur frequently at Durbar Square.
So, what are you waiting for? Go, visit this beautiful city and explore these things. You can also check out our Nepal motorcycle tours destinations and packages.
