Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Kathmandu: The ancient city of wonder

Image Source: AllNepal.com
If you love ancient cities, then you’ll love Kathmandu, the capital of the kingdom on the roof of the world—Nepal. The city is more than 2000 years old and is located 4,600 feet above sea level. Enclosed within a valley, Kathmandu is a sight to behold.

Image Source: LonelyPlanet.com
Kathmandu is the best place to experience Nepali culture and tradition. I found many Hindu and Buddhist temples just by walking around, which is, by far, the best way to experience Kathmandu. The famous Pashupatinath Temple can be found in Kathmandu, near the banks of the Bagmati River. You can also visit the Durbar Square, which is one of the oldest squares in the world; walk around Thamel, the city’s bustling tourist city; climb the 365 steps to the Swayambhunath, the so-called monkey temple; and visit the King’s palace, which is now a museum.

Image Source: TripAdvisor.com
However, despite the abundance of things to do and places to visit, the best thing to experience in Nepal is the food. Food here is cheap and plentiful, and most of those I tasted were heavenly, to say the least. My favorite was the Dal Bhat, which is a meal that consists of a lentil soup, mixed vegetables, chili, pickled vegetables, more vegetables, and mutton. Notice the amount of vegetables? It’s no wonder why Nepalese people are so slim. Food in Nepal has a little bit of Indian influence, which means that people with really sensitive stomachs should be wary.

I love Kathmandu. I think it is a great city with so much to offer, and I will definitely come back—if I get back from Mt. Everest alive, that is.

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