Kathmandu Durbar Square Tourism

Cultural Heritage Site4.0(4,773 reviews)

About Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka, is the historic seat of the Nepalese royalty located in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley. Encompassing the old palace complex, it is famed for its exquisite architecture and artistic embellishments. The square is characterized by its traditional Nepalese buildings, which are a spectacular display of wood carvings, stone sculptures, and metalwork, reminiscent of the city's cultural and religious heritage. The area was severely affected by the earthquake in 2015 but is undergoing restoration. Notable structures within the complex include the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Taleju Temple, and the towering Basantapur Tower. The square also houses the Kumari Ghar, the palace of the Living Goddess, Kumari. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors keen to explore Nepal's historical art and architecture. The area is also a hub for festivals and cultural activities, particularly during Indra Jatra and Dashain.

Top 5 Reviews on Kathmandu Durbar Square

Hudsonmccraw
5.0
Wrote on 21 Jun 2024
A culturally rich place in Kathmandu.
This is a must visit for anyone in Kathmandu. It is culturally significant and will please almost traveler wanting to see history that is unique to Nepal.
173himanshuk
2.0
Wrote on 12 Jun 2024
Hospitality sucks here
As soon as you come to this place, they will ask you for tickets, while you are just trying to figure out things...if you don't have the tickets they will ask you to get lost. I understand there are rules and one should buy tickets...I am ok with it...but the management here shud buy some manners and hospitality classes with this money for their staff
daniellebN3539NG
2.0
Wrote on 12 May 2024
We don't want you, we just want your money
This was my least favourite site in Kathmandu. Got shouted at repeatedly by officials because you have to pay to enter, and this was while standing in the one spot trying to work out what you could see and whether we wanted to pay. Couldn't even stand at the perimeter of the paid area. I felt unwanted unless I had money. We left and visited one of the nearby rooftop cafes and spent out money there.
gabriella722017
1.0
Wrote on 1 May 2024
Nepal sucks!
Very disappointed from Nepal, they try to charge 1000 rupies to get into squares ans streets, Bhaktapur entry fee is 18 dollars. I had a pass because I stayed in Bhaktapur for a month due to an illness. The stupid guards kept on chasing me and shouting me to stop everytime they saw me even if they stopped nearly every day. They would not remember my face, how is that possible? How stupid they are? Basically every shop will try to charge double, triple and quadruple the real price because we're tourist. For me, Nepal is the worst country I've ever seen. Thamel and Pockara are tourist traps where you pay European prices for food, accomodation, shopping etc. Kathmandu is a an hazardous place with broken pavements and street and tremendous noise pollution and dust, a concrete jungle. Save your money and go to better countries where locals don't try to rip you off all the time. Happy to leave soon!
georgesB4777WE
4.0
Wrote on 1 May 2024
Historical Complex
This is a historical, cultural and religious complex in Kathmandu consisting of temples, shrines and monuments that are key part of Nepalese identity. The site is old dating as far back as the 13th century. Many buildings are very interesting and historical. One of them is the palace of the current living Kumari Goddess. We happen to see her at 4:30 from her balcony “audience” inside her garden. The square is very busy, a bit dirty and often times chaotic. Tickets for foreigners are 1000 NR for the day. You probably will need a guide since there is no signage or sparse literature to explain the sites. Personally, I found the Durbar Squares at Patan and Bhaktapur to be more interesting and pleasanter to visit. But this one should be visited nevertheless.