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Patan Durbar Square
A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Centuries ago the rulers of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur tried to outdo one another by building the most beautiful palace (’durbar’) and monuments in the valley. In each of these three cities, the result is so stunning that the main problem for the traveler is taking it all in.

The second largest town in the Kathmandu Valley, Patan–also called Lalitpur, ‘City of Beauty’ is located south of the Bagmati River. Arguably Nepal’s most dynamic arts and handicrafts hub, brimming with densely concentrated and gorgeous architecture, Patan prides itself on being the country’s artistic capital. This is where the finest statues of all sizes are cast and the most beautiful wood sculptures are carved. Many artisans have streetfront windows and Patan is simply a great place to shop for keepsakes and gifts.

Patan’s palace (which houses the famed Patan Museum), sacred monuments, pagodas, stupas, royal baths and traditional buildings all vie for one’s attention. Many of the points of interest are divided among three main ‘chowks’ or courtyards, all within easy walking distance. Patan has a long Buddhist history, being inhabited since antiquity by Newars, the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley, Tibeto-Burman in ethnicity, language and religion. Even now it boasts hundreds of Buddhist monasteries and monuments. The city itself is defined by the presence of four mounds which are widely believed to be stupas established by the legendary Indian Buddhist emperor Ashoka around 250 BCE.

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