Bhaktapur lies 12km east of central Kathmandu, it is best reached by taxi or local bus. Bhaktapur is the least developed of the three major settlements in the valley, a rich farming community, it is far less relient on tourism for its survival. Most tourists visit for a few hours during the day returning to their hotels in Kathmandu. There are a few guest houses available if you want to stay overnight. The town is locked in centuries old ancient beliefs and customs with a hidden treasure of some sort lurking around most corners. There are many fine examples of architecture, sculptures and woodcarving here.The city is shaped like a conch shell, one of the emblems of the God Visnu, the town was founded by King Ananda Dev in 889 A.D. Pottery , weaving and wood carving are its major traditional industries.

Siddha Pokhari: A large rectangular water tank located near the main city gate. It was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in the early fifteenth century and is associated with a number of different myths. From this location a wide range of the Nepal Himalaya is visible on clear days.

Bhaktapur Durbar Spuare: Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a collection of pagoda and Shikhara-style temples grouped around the fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the valley, highlighting the ancient arts of Nepal. Golden images of the Kings set on the top of stone pillars with guardian deities looking out from their Asylum ( Ashram ). Woodcarvings dominate the square with many fine examples – struts, beams, uprights, gateways and windows are all finely detailed into a well-orchestrated work of art.

Main sites of interest in the Durbar Square:-

The Lion Gate: Dates back to 1696 A.D., it’s guarded on either side by two huge statues of lions. Alongside there are two stone images of Bhairab (the dreadful aspect of Shiva) and Ugrachandi (the consort of Shiva in his fearful manifestation).

The Golden Gate: The Golden Gate is said to be the most beautiful and richly moulded specimen of its kind in the entire world. The door is surrounnded by the figures of the Goddess Kali and Garuda (mythical man-bird) , attended by two heavenly nymphs. It is embellished with monsters and other mythical creatures. In the words of Percy Brown, a well-known English art-critic and historian: The Golden Gate is “the most lovely piece of art in the whole Kingdom”. It is placed like a jewel, exposing innumerable sides in the handsome setting of its surroundings. The gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla, it is the entrance to the main courtyard of the palace of fifty-five windows.

The Palace of Fifty-five Windows: This magnificent palace was built during the reign of King Yaksha Malla in 1427 A.D., it was later restored and newly designed by King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeenth century. Among the brick walls in their well laid setting and sculptural design is a balcony of fifty-five windows. The balcony is considered to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarving.

The Picture Gallery: The Picture Gallery contains ancient paintings of various periods and descriptions belonging to Hindu and Bhuddhist Tantrism. This gallery is open every day except Tuesdays.

The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla: The statue shows King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship on a column facing the palace. Of the square's many statues, this is considered to be the most magnificent.

Batsala Temple: The stone temple of Batsala Devi has many finely detailed carvings, it is famous for bronze bell known to local residents as 'the bell-of barking dogs because when it is rung, all dogs in the area begin barking. The huge bell was hung by King Ranjit Malla in 1737 A.D., it was used to sound the daily curfew. It is nowadays rung every morning when Goddess Teleju is worshipped.

The Pashupati Temple: The temple is an immitation of the famous temple by the Bagmati river in Kathmandu, it is widely noted for the erotic carving on its struts. It was built by King Yakshya Malla.

Nyatapola Temple: This five-storey pagoda was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1702 A.D. It stands on five terraces, on each terrace squat a pair of figures, two famous wrestlers who were said to have dominated Bhaktapur, are found on the first plinth. Followed in asscendence by two elephants, two lions, two griffins and finaly two goddesses. Each pair of figures is considered ten times stronger than the one immediately below. The lowest pair, the two strong men Jaya Malla and Pratap Malla were reputedly ten times stronger than any other men. This is one of the tallest pagoda-style temples in Kathmandu valley, it is famous for its massive structure and fine workmanship.

Just beside the temple is a monastery (Nath) with exquisitely carved peacock windows. The monastery is full of intricate carvings on latticed windows and engraved columns.

Bhairab Nath Temple: This is another pagoda style temple of Lord Bhairab depicting the dreadful aspects of Shiva. It stands a short distance away from the temple of Nyatapola, originally built by Jyoti Malla on a modest scale in 1614 A.D., it was re-constructed later by King Bhupatindra Malla into a larger three-storey temple.

Dattatraya Temple, (Dattatraya Square): The temple of Dattatraya was built at the same time as the palace of fifty five windows by King Yakshya Malla and his son Raja Malla in 1427 A.D. According to popular belief, the temple was built out of the trunk of a single tree. It was further renovated by King Vishwa Malla in 1458 A.D. This is only temple in Nepal that is dedicated to the God Dattatraya – who represents the combined incarnation of the three Gods of Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Maheswar).Just off this square the Peacock window is found, it is recognised as one of the best pieces of carving in Nepal and carved from a single piece of wood.

There is a lot more to the Kathmandu valley than just the main sites of historical interest. The valley is blessed with many other beautiful and interesting smaller towns and settlements, each with their own history , legend, shrines and stupas. Most of these smaller towns and villages can be reached by car or bus, others require a good walk or cycle ride. There are also several scenic spots on the edge of the valley that command dramatic views of the great himalayan peaks.Two in particular (Nagarkot and Dulikhel) have good overnight accommodation . The valley is ideal for short treks of between one to three days where some of these smaller settlements can be visited on route.

Changu Narayan Temple: The Temple is the oldest temple of the Kathmandu valley, it is located at Changu 6km north of Bhaktapur .The original structure was built in the 5th century A.D.,It was established in Changu by the Lichhavi King Manadev Malla in 464 A.D.There has been a lot of further development over the years .According to mythology, Lord Vishnu unknowingly beheaded a demon who was a Brahmin. He later discovered his crime and decreed a temple should be built to atone for his act.