Hmm?
Thinking about voyaging to Bhaktapur but, have no idea about Where to visit in there? How to get there? What to eat? Or, what is so special about it?
Arising such questions is very normal when you are totally unaware about this one time, not satisfactorily classified city.
However, you would not find Bhaktapur that much dwelling either, if you just get a sum of inormation about it.
If you have a keen interest in knowing its meaning then you can check our near article. The meaning of Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is one popular destination yet most visitors avoid it because it lasts a bit far from the hub of Nepal, Kathmandu city. While the distance between these two cores is just 16 kilometers.
It approximately would take half an hour to one hour to reach Bhaktapur from Kathmandu, if you ride your personal vehicles or book a cab/car, as per the condition of traffic at Koteshwor. However, if you choose to take a local bus, then it would take one to one and a half hours from Bag bazaar to Bhaktapur.
This distance counts for only those who aim to travel within Bhaktapur Durbar Square only. Otherwise, it could take more time and hours.
Okay! here we go for the top 10 places that are perfect for one and a more day voyaging. Where I will be mentioning what to do, where to eat, and how to reach there.
Top 10 places to visit in Bhaktapur
1. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
A traveler once said that visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square is worth more than traveling half of the entire world. Doesn’t it sound interesting?
Well, yes, it sounds interesting, because this royal palace of Bhaktapur that we all call, Bhaktapur Durbar Square however is able to attract all kinds of visitors with its authentic arts and architecture, stories, mysteries, and well-preserved cultural heritage.
As I have already mentioned, it would take approximately 1 hour to reach there from Bagbazaar or could take less time too. It all depends upon the traffic of Nepal. And, you don’t need to worry about the availability of restaurants. There are a lot of restaurants and miniature shops where you can have your lunch or buy snacks.
Extra tip: If you are visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square, then you can try one of my favorite, kulfi on the east-southern corner of the square. There is a small shop which has a variety of kulfis and paun. And yes, the Juju dhau.
* kulfis are the frozen khoa cubed. And paun is the special spices mixed pickles which we call titaura as well.
If you intend to visit Bhaktapur then, this place must be on top of the list as you won’t regret visiting this cool place. Further, you need to pay a certain charge to visit there except for the Nepalese citizens.
For more information about the entry fee of the heritage sites of Nepal including the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, you can check out the following article.
Entry fees of the heritage sites in Nepal
2. Taumadhi Square
Taumadhi Square, where the tallest pagoda of Nepal, Nyatapola temple resides along with the fearsome temple of Bhairavanath is one popular stopover of Bhaktapur.
Just a minute of a walk from the south alley of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and here we reach the premises of Nyatapola temple. Besides this, another giant and popular temple of Bhaktapur resides, the Bhairavnath temple.
For a local taste of bara, you could choose to go to the northern alley and stop before the path ends. On the left corner, you could find a fine newa shop where the famous bara is traded.
Additionally, if you choose the path toward the east, there again with a bang a pati pasal, an open mo: mo shop awaits for you.
Additionally, one small alley which is placed right in front of the Nyatapola leads you to a courtyard where the Til Madhav Narayan temple stands. The temple is best known for its antique appearance as well as for the best stopover to have a typical newa type of party i.e, Samyay bhwey during Gaijatra.
3. Dattatraya and pottery Square
Both Dattatraya and pottery square are special in different matters. Like, pottery Square of Bhaktapur Nagara( not of thimi and other places, since there are so many places in Bhaktapur that produced clay crafts) is famous for its terracotta creations and exceptionally beautiful thanka and paubha paintings.
It is just a or two minutes of walk far from the taumadhi. A southern path from Taumadhi square leads you to this terracotta farm.
On the other hand, Dattatraya Square is more familiar with the best wood carvings especially for the carvings of wooden windows that have an icon of peacocks. Such carving is called Aakhi jhyal in the Nepalese language.
There is even a brass and bronze museum along with the woodcarving museum on the premises of Dattatraya Square with more centuries-old temples like the temple of Sala Ganesh, Laxminarayan, and Bhimsen.
It is not far as well from the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It would take a maximum of 15 minutes to walk and reach there. So, no need to ride an extra bus or anything.
About the hotels and restaurants at the site, you don’t need to worry about it. Once, you reach there, you would discover it yourself that why I didn’t suggest anything about it.
4. Nagarkot
Nagarkot, the highest point of Bhaktapur is one beautiful place that you simply could not ignore.
Nagarkot, where the sun rises among the beautiful hills and mountains whereas sets on the heads of miniature architectures of the Kathmandu Valley.
If you want to travel with the green wilderness on the top of the freezing fogs, then you must visit Nagarkot. It’s not that difficult to reach over there. You simply need to take a bus from Kamalbinayak Bus park (approximately an hour bus ride) which is enough accessible to Nagarkot.
That offer resists for those who want to experience the local hustle and bustle of Bhaktapur. If you are not that patient then you can simply book a cab or go in your own vehicles.
Let me tell you that Nagarkot has the most luxurious hotels in the entire Bhaktapur.
5. Pilot Baba Ashram
Pilot Baba Ashram, one famous and odd named hiking destination of Bhaktapur which lies on the southern hill station of Bhaktapur Nagar. The hill station before the erection of Pilot Baba Ashram was merely famous as the Ghyampe Danda.
Well, you can find a portion of Ghyampe Danda in google map, if you specifically search for it.
The ashram also has a Shiva temple, named Somnath temple. From its right corner, you can catch the perfect sunset that goes under the nearby hill station of Kathmandu valley.
However, the destination also gives you a slightly complete view of the only International Airport of Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport, landing and taking off of the flights.
This 2-3 hours walk or the 25min (maximum) ride purposely gives you one of the best views of southern and northern Bhaktapur with the immense beauty of the sunset. (The rides and walk counts from the Bhaktapur Durbar Square.)
6. Thimi
Thimi, an ancient cultural city of Bhaktapur as well as of Nepal. You gotta believe that this city perfectly lies in between the three majestically beautiful cities of Nepal i.e, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur.
This dense burgh is full of Newa culture, tradition, pottery, vegetation, and festivals. In various ways, the city counts as the Bhaktapur Nagar, the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Since it is also rich in festivities, jatras, culture, art, and architecture. The city is more famous for the Mahakali Dance, Bhairav Dance, Nil barahi dance, Sindur Jatra, and tongue-piercing jatra.
Besides, it is a beautiful city, more worthy to be visited once in your lifetime. Don’t miss this place out if you are planning to explore Bhaktapur.
And, for that, you just need to take a bus from Bagbazar. (If you are going to travel via local bus). Today, the city is divided into two names like Purano thimi and Naya thimi which means the old town thimi and New Thimi respectively.
7. Changu Narayan Temple
Changu Narayan Temple is the oldest temple in Nepal, yet is extremely beautiful. The wood carvings of the struts, old statues, and miniature temples, all depict the ancient city of the whole nation.
Besides, the temple-like most of the other temples in Nepal lies on the top of the hill. Therefore, this place with religious importance also has a natural feast. The northern alley of the changu is all filled with pristine views of the Himalayas.
That’s why, the destination also desists as one of the best hiking trails of Bhaktapur, the Nagarkot-changu hiking trail, and one of the best places to explore newa and the Gurung cuisine. A single bus from Bagbazaar could drop you at Changu but it’s quite time-consuming.
Or else, you could choose to walk or cycle those crisscross kinda roads by yourself.
8. Kailashnath temple
The tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the entire world is the statue of Kailash Nath Mahadev which lies within the border of the Bhaktapur.
Both the view of such a tall stature and the view that you would have, especially on the sunset simply would blow your mind along with your hairs by the crisp air.
It’s an amazing place. A half an hour of bus ride from Jagati bus park would drop you on the Sanga, from where the quick walk is required. Well, if you are in Bhaktapur Durbar Square then, you must ride a bus, at first, to reach Jagati itself.
9. Ranikot
Ranikot is one popular destination for hiking in Bhaktapur. The crispy and crooked path from Suryabinayak via Pilot Baba Ashram to Ranikot offers beautiful and dramatic views of nearby villages and the Kathmandu Valley.
Being situated in the southern hill station of Bhaktapur, it also offers majestic views of the Himalayas ranges on the north.
Well, Ranikot resort over there waits for you to wake up with the shining ray of the sun, early in the morning. Those sun patches overlapping the jungles of Ranikot and the smell of freshness made your entire day warm as well as fresh.
10. Siddha Pokhari
Siddha Pokhari is one of the oldest and the largest ponds of Bhaktapur. Locally interpreted as Ta; Pukhu means the big pond, some study says it is a natural pool while some say it is a manmade pond.
But, it still has a great name in Bhaktapur. People of almost all ages go there.
Besides, it has religious importance too. During the Indra jatra, a jatra associated with Indrayani is done over there where the diyos are lit up all around the pond.
The night view of that pond, simultaneously on that day looks immensely beautiful like a night of Tihar. All lighted up and bright.
Nevertheless, these are the same places that I put on my lists of the top 10 places to visit in Bhaktapur. By discovering more and more places like this, you can add your kinda list of top places to visit in Bhaktapur.