In the immediate vicinity of Kathmandu are Bhaktapur and Patan, formerly capitals of mini-kingdoms competing with Kathmandu. Bhaktapur captivates with its village atmosphere, grain is spread out to dry in the squares, women carry water home from the well in large jugs, large bundles of garlic and maize hang under the roofs in the narrow alleys. In addition, countless temples, houses with finely carved balconies and windows..
Patan’s Durbar Square is packed with temples, mostly the typical Newara pagodas (very reminiscent of the temples in Bali), but also two in the Indian Mughal style. In the royal palace there is an excellent museum that not only displays very good bronzes and sculptures, but also didactically explains their production and the most diverse aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism. Finally, the magnificent Buddhist Golden Temple has a luminous gilded façade full of reliefs.
