This country is famous for holding the highest peak in the world, Lord Buddha Birthplace and many pilgrims sites , but where else should you visit on a trip to Nepal? Here are the 5 most beautiful towns in the country.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital decorated by a number of colors, is surely the first stop in any Nepal trip. Besides the spectacular landscape, you will be amazed quickly by the thick history and vibrant culture here. There are so many sights to see within the city, including the Buddhist temple Swayambhunath, the remains of the Hanuman Dhoka, and Golden Temple (or Kwa Bahal), a Buddhist monastery. The streets may be full of rickshaws, the traffic can be really slow, and the whole city sometimes makes you knit your brown a little bit with many different smells, sounds, and people. However, in the end, Kathmandu is still the soul of Nepal. And you, as a traveler, still fall for this city with all your heart.
Lumbini
Lumbini has a number of older temples, including the Mayadevi Temple, and various new temples, funded by Buddhist organizations from various countries, have been completed or are still under construction. Many monuments, monasteries and a museum, and the Lumbini International Research Institute are also within the holy site. Also, there is the Puskarini, or Holy Pond, where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, then achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms. Lumbini was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
The crazy modern life seems never touch Lumbini. This town always remains the perfectly peaceful atmosphere over the years. As being home to the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in 563 BC, as well as some of the country’s most important archeological finds that date back to the third century BC, Lumbini deserves its title of the most historical place in Nepal. The city is so famous for its peaceful monasteries in the wooded park, green gardens, and unique architecture. A newly designed religious park is a long-time work in progress meant to revitalize the often-forgotten city.
Pokhara
It is the country's largest metropolitan city in terms of area and second largest in terms of populations. The city also serves as the headquarters of Kaski District. Pokhara is located 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu. The Annapurna Range, with three out of the ten highest peaks in the world — Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu — is within 15–35 mi (24–56 km) of the valley.
Pokhara is considered the tourism capital of Nepal, being a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna Circuit through the Annapurna Conservation Area region of the Annapurna ranges in the Himalayas. The city is also home to many of the elite Gurkha soldiers.
You will never forget Pokhara. This land is like an untouched paradise on earth, even the 2015 earthquake only made a little damage on Pokhara. To be named as “northwestern pearl”, Pokhara is like a pretty water-painting, with snow-capped Annapurna ranges standing as a perfect backdrop for the tranquility of the three Phewa, Rupa, and Begnas natural lakes. You can consider spending time in a peaceful restaurant beside the Phewa lake, go boating or cycling while being here
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur, which was historically described as the best-preserved city-state in the Kathmandu Valley, was tragically devastated in the 2015 earthquake. Many traditional buildings were completely destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Although the streets are still damaged and covered in rubble in some areas, a lot of the town’s historic and religious monuments are still towering over the three bustling squares. This city is more pedestrian-friendly than Kathmandu or Patan, and here you’ll find artisans weaving cloth and laying pots to dry in the sun.
Chitwan
Chitwan is home to one of Nepal’s most-visited sites, Chitwan National Park. In case you are so tired of the frozen snow back home, this is an ideal place to enjoy the warm weather which remains throughout the year. As the largest wildlife park of Nepal, Chitwan surely offers nature-lovers the most authentic and exotic experiences. There is a bunch of activities waiting for you to experience, from jungle trekking, wildlife safari discovering, to boating on the river and touring of indigenous Tharu villages. The flora and fauna are extremely diversified, and there’s a high chance to meet very rare animal species like rhino, Bengal tiger, deer, etc.
