UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal

Chitwan National Park is the first step that Nepal took towards the protection of wildlife and nature at large. Located in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal, the national park covers an area of 952.63 sq. km. over the districts of Nawalparasi, Parsa, Makwanpur, and Chitwan. The place was granted its long-due status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and ever since its inception 11 years before that, Chitwan National Park has been getting the footfalls of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Known For : Maya Devi Temple Bodhi Tree, Lumbini Mayadevi Pond

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, is nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. An abode of Buddhism, the entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stupas and monasteries lining the entirety of Lumbini. This is one of the foremost sites of a Buddhist pilgrimage - people come here from all over the world to study scriptures, learn more about this religion of peace, and contemplate and refresh their hearts and souls. 

Best Time: April to May

20 Lumbini Attractions

One of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal, the Pashupatinath Temple is stretched across both the banks of the beautiful and sacred Bagmati River on the eastern fringes of the capital city of Kathmandu. The magnificent sanctum devoted to Lord Shiva draws in thousands of devotees who come to offer their prayers and seek blessings from him. Sprawled over a large area with temples and ashrams, it is believed that the Jyotirlinga housed in the Pashupatinath temple is the head of the body, which is made up of the twelve Jyotirlinga in India. In 1979, the magnificent temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Situated at a distance of about 11 kilometres from the city centre of Kathmandu, Boudhanath Stupa dominates the Kathmandu skyline with its gargantuan spherical shape. Thousands of pilgrims from different religions gather here daily. They perform a ritualistic circumnavigation, known as the 'kora', of the colossal dome. It is believed that anyone who circumambulates the stupa with no ill thoughts in their hearts receives good karma. Moreover, the gates of hell are permanently closed for them!

Sagarmatha National Park lies in the north-eastern part of Nepal. The prime feature of the park is that it covers a wide area with altitudes ranging from nearly 3000m to as high as 8000m. Thus, this beautiful park has varying forms of flora, such as dense forests in the lower regions, mosses and lichens in the high altitudes, and zero vegetation in the highest areas.

Perched on top of the Semgu Hill located in the outskirts to the west of the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhu Temple temple is one of the most important eligious shrines in the city of Kathmandu. With a wite dome stupa and an array of shrines, this place draws people to it daily. Circumnavigating the temple in a clockwise direction is a common practice among the pilgrims since it is believed to wash away all the sins. The sanctum is one of the holiest sites among the Buddhists and Tibetans and is second only to the Lord Boudha for them.

The regal Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar squares in Nepal. Till date, the place remains the most remarkable legacy of Kathmandu's traditional architecture. Even though the unfortunate earthquake of 2015 took its toll on the building and around half a dozen places within the premises collapsed, it has still retained its original glory. 

Changu Narayan is a synonymous word with both the old Nepalese temple and the village that surrounds it. Located in the Bhaktapur district some 12 km east of Kathmandu, Changu Narayan is the oldest temple in Nepal and has an authentic Newari-style architecture very true to its roots. With its two-storey brick-red edifice, the beautiful temple perches atop a hill, which is also called Changu or sometimes Dolagiri.

This UNESCO heritage site, located in the center of Lalitpur, is one of the most visited places in Nepal. The architecture and history can be seen in the temples, palaces, and houses and best reflect the culture of this country. Located just a few kilometers from Kathmandu City, the Durbar Square Patan is one of the three main Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley and offers a perfect blend of ancient history and culture along with modern local street food. 

The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once home to the royal family of Bhaktapur. Locally known as Khwopa or the ancient Newa City, visitors can explore the entire complex that consists of four different squares – Taumadhi Square, Durbar Square, Pottery Square, and Dattatreya Square. Typical findings here are the Bhaktapur royal palaces along with several temples and other ancient structures dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.