About the City - Kathmandu

History

Kathmandu Metropolitan City is the largest urban area of Nepal. It is the only metropolitan Nepal.

According to Swayambhu Puran, Manjushree established a city called Manjupattan after draining Nagdaha, the lake that covered Kathmandu valley. The place where he established this city is located in ward 21 of Kathmandu called Majipa. During Kirat and early Lichhavi era, the core city area was inhabited at two separate places called Koligram and Dakkhin Koligram , by the sides of river Vishnumati. Licchavi king created a city center between the two at the banks of river Vishnumati. The city was called Yen. Later during Malla kingdom, the core city served as the capital of the Kantipur Malla kingdom. After the unification of the nation, the city served as the capital of the Nepalese nation.

Kathmandu is the cradle of Himalayan old world charm, nestled cozily among the lofty Himalayas. The Kathmandu city is located in the north western part of the valley. River Bagmati flows through the city. The Kathmandu valley is fertile, flat and compact. It is situated at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 m, the valley is also small, with an area of only 570 sq km .The city has a record seven World Heritage sites declared by UNESCO. These architectural and civic wonders are monuments to Nepal's past prosperity, artistry, and religiosity which make the valley a living museum.

Religion
Hinduism and Buddhism are two major religions in Nepal and a remarkable homogeneity exists between the two communities.

Weather
Nepal has four distinct seasons.Kathamandu is plain chilly between Oct-Nov and offers clear magnificent view. It is cold between Dec- Feb. Mar- Apr is warm and refreshing with brief showers while June to September it is unrelenting rain of monsoons.

Connectivity
Nepal is connected to the world via India with a change in Delhi / Kolkata or from a hub airport of South-East Asia/Gulf/West Europe.
Five domestic destinations of Nepal can be reached by air.

Pokhara is a mountain town, a favorite destination of tourists. It is 35 min flight from Kathmandu. It is a lake town over viewing Machhepuchare peak and gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary.

Jomsom a 20 min flight from Kathmandu is a remote village and gateway to remote Mustang.

Bharatpur a 20 min from Kathmandu is located in Royal Chitwan National Park.

Lukla is 35 min flight to SagarMatha National Park, base camp of Mount Everest and other peaks.

Nepalgunj a 65 min flight from Kathmandu is Gateway to West Nepal and route to Bardia National Park and Dolpo /PhukSundo National Park
Nepal offers Mountain flight services over the Himalayan peaks. Aircraft and Helicopter are available for service with experienced pilots.

Taxis are available for a negotiated price. The city has frequent and cheap bus service to all parts of Nepal, but the ride may not be comfortable due to poor roads. Local transport also includes rickshaws to travel around the city.