Kathmandu is an incredibly diverse, historic city with amazing architecture, exquisite wood carvings and metal craft which showcase the skills of the Newar artisans of centuries ago. 

Founded in a vast valley after draining a large lake, legends abound in this remarkable city and every street has a shrine or two. Hinduism and Buddhism have co-existed in Kathmandu valley from time immemorial and the valley residents make little distinction as they worship in both Hindu and Buddhist shrines.

Kathmandu is a city where ancient traditions are zealously guarded while at the same time embracing modern technology. 

The grandeur of the past enchants the visitor whose gaze may linger on an exquisitely carved wooden window frame, an 18th century bronze sculpture or a spiritually uplifting stupa. 

The Durbar Square/杜巴广场, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lies in the heart of the city with the old palace accompanied by a number of pagoda style temples that boast of superb craftsmanship in wood and metal.

The Living Goddess' residence lies nearby and the famous Freak Street is a stone's throw away. 

Today tourists prefer Thamel/泰米尔 which has grown into a thriving tourist quarter, offering everything from luxury to cheap hotels, bars and eateries to travel agencies, money exchange centres, massage parlours, night clubs, live music, yoga and meditation classes and more. 

Many buildings have been reconstructing since Kathmandu was destoried by the devastating earthquake in 2015.

Pashupatinath, Boudha and Swayambhu, three of the prominent religious pilgrimage sites are World Heritage Sites and a must see. These centuries-old places of worship, the countless smaller shrines and numerous festivals make Kathmandu a living museum, an opportunity to travel back in time while also enjoying all the trappings of the 21st Century.

Pashupatinath/帕斯帕提那神庙

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Shiva. Built in the 5th century and  later renovated by Malla kings, the site itself is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva lingam was discovered here.

The largest temple complex in Nepal, it stretches on both sides of the Bagmati River which is considered holy by Hindus.  The main pagoda style temple has a gilded roof, four sides covered in silver, and exquisite wood carvings. Temples dedicated to several other Hindu and Buddhist deities surround the the temple of Pashupatinath.

Boudha Stupa/博大哈佛塔

The 36-meter-high stupa of Boudha is massive and dominates the skyline in the area. With countless monasteries around it, Boudha is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.

Take an early morning or evening stroll around the inspiring white dome buzzing with energy; observe the devout people circumambulating, light a butter lamp and say a little prayer, look around for souvenirs, or enjoy the view from a rooftop restaurant with a hot cup of cofee. Boudha is always full of life.

People are praying the peace to Australian, who recently suffered from the forest fire.

Swayambhu/斯瓦扬布纳寺

Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, Swayambhu is one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. 

Visitors for whom the name was a tongue twister have called it "Monkey Temple" from the 1970s. Swayambhu, overlooks most parts of the valley giving visitors a panoramic view of the city.