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Bhaktapur (भक्तपुर), Nepal

Bhaktapur, NepalBhaktapur, Nepal
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bhaktapur#mediaviewer/File:Bhaktapur_street_01.JPG
Author: Tanweer Morshed
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Bhaktapur (भक्तपुर) is the third largest city in the Kathmandu Valley, after Kathmandu and Patan. It was once the capital of the great Malla Kingdom in the mid 15th century. Bhaktapur, whose name means "town of devotees", is also known as Khwopa and Bhadgaon.

The city of Bhaktapur is located 13 km to the east of Kathmandu. It is situated some 1,401 meters above sea level. Many tourists make day trips there from Kathmandu.

Traditional architecture, BhaktapurTraditional architecture, Bhaktapur
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bhaktapur#mediaviewer/File:Maisons_traditionnelles_de_Bhaktapur_(8554522789).jpg
Author: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
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In present-day Nepal, Bhaktapur is well known as a centre for traditional handicrafts, such as the making of pottery and tapestry. It also draws many tourist to admire the beautiful architecture of its medieval houses in the inner city, and the ornately carved temples in its Durbar Square.

The heritage sites in Bhaktapur were restored between 1974 and 1986 with the assistance of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany. It stands today as a showcase of medieval Nepali architecture.

Naga Pokhari, a snake water tank, BhaktapurNaga Pokhari, a snake water tank, which is the Royal Bath, in Bhaktapur
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Nag_Pokhari,_Bhaktapur#mediaviewer/File:Naagpokhari@Bhaktapur_Darbar.jpg
Author: Krish Dulai
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World Heritage Site Inscription Details

The heritage buildings in Bhaktapur, along with those in Kathmandu and Patan, were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1979. The details are as shown below: Location: N 27 42 14.22 E 85 18 30.888 covering a core zone of 188.95 hectares and a buffer zone of 239.34 hectares of the Kathmandu Valley
Inscription Year: 1979
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: III, IV, VI Pashupati Temple, BhaktapurPashupati Temple, Bhaktapur
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pashupati_Temple,_Bhaktapur#mediaviewer/File:%E5%8F%A4%E8%BF%B9%E6%9E%84%E6%88%90.JPG
Author: 张泽杨
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Travel to Bhaktapur

Many budget travelers catch a bus from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur. There are mini buses from the Kamal Binayak bus stop and regular buses from the Chyamasingha bus stop that go to Bhaktapur. The journey takes about an hour, and the fare is around 35 Nepali rupees. Alternatively, you can negotiate with a taxi to drive you to Bhaktapur, either per journey, or for the whole day. A one-way taxi fare to Bhaktapur will set you back around 800 to 1000 Nepali rupees.

Travel within Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is best appreciated on foot. The central area of Bhaktapur is a pedestrian zone, so your taxi will drop you somewhere outside the inner city, and you can walk in to explore.

Dattatreya Square, BhaktapurDattatreya Square, Bhaktapur
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dattatreya_Square,_Bhaktapur#mediaviewer/File:Dattatraya_square_temple_(12679231833).jpg
Author: Francisco Anzola
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Places of Interest in Bhaktapur

  1. Siddhi Pokhari
    The biggest of Bhaktapur's ancient water tanks.

  2. Durbar Square
    Medieval palace square with the highest concentration of heritage buildings.

  3. Sun Dhoka
    Gate, regarded as a masterpiece of Bhaktapur, that leads to the Royal Palace of Bhaktapur.

  4. Palace of 55 Windows
    18th century building within the Royal Palace complex.

  5. National Art Gallery
    Museum, housed within the Royal Palace, exhibiting exquisite fine arts and scrolls.

  6. Chayasilin Mandap
    Octagonal pavilion that was reconstructed in 1987 following the 1934 earthquake.

  7. Siddhi Laxmi Mandir
    Also known as Lohan Dega or Stone Temple, this is a two-storey arcaded sikhara at one corner of the Durbar Square.

  8. Batsala Durga
    Stone sikhara with a profusion of pillars and arches decorated with divinites.

  9. Pashupati Temple
    One of the oldest temples in Bhaktapur and the Kathmandu Valley, dating to the 15th century.

  10. Nyatapola Temple
    The tallest temple in Nepal, with a height of 30 meters.

  11. Bhairavnath Temple
    Set at right angles to Nyatapola Temple, this is a rectangular temple with a three-tier roof.

  12. Chuping Ghat
    Riverside terrace where the Music Department of Kathmandu University is located.

  13. Dattatraya Square
    Public square with the Dattatraya Temple, the former centre of ancient Bhaktapur.

  14. Pujari Math
    The oldest and most important ashram or pilgrim hostel in Bhaktapur.

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.
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