It is hard to find words that do justice to wonderful Kathmandu. One ridge away from the highest mountains in the world, and thronged by a million Hindus and Buddhists, this pricely city is the archetypal mountain kingdom - mystical, magical and arcane. Temples loom out of the mist around every corner and the cobbled streets resound with the chanting of mantras and the chiming of temple bells. At dusk, the city is transformed into a cut-out of stupas, prayer flags and temple spires. On clear days, a wall of snow-covered mountains rises behind Kathmandu and eagles soar majestically overhead on the high Tibetan winds - it is like the special effects from The Lord of the Rings, but right there, alive in the real world.
The main reason for Kathmandu's remarkable state of preservation is its unique geographical situation. There are only two roads out of the Kathmandu Valley, one going north to Lhasa in Tibet and the other winding down to the Terai plains - a five hour journey to cover a distance of 50 kilometers. Historically, this was Kathmandu best defense against foreign invaders. Unlike India and Tibet, Nepal was never conquered by the British.
The city's meteoric rise to fame began in 1769 when Gurkha king Prithvi Narayan Shah swept eastwards from his base at Gorkha, conquering the towns on the valley rim and isolating Kathmandu. Bhaktapur and Patan from the outside world. This marked the start of the golden age of Kathmandu architecture - temple-strewn Durbar Square has barely changed since. As the city grew, the natural fortifications of the valley walls became a hindrance rather an asset. Everything has to be trekked in from the plains of India and builders had nowhere to go but up, explaining the rather chaotic skyline of leaning brick towers.
Politics also played a role in Kathmandu's status of suspended animation. From 1816 to 1950, Nepal was completely cut off from the outside world, vanishing into legend as another forbidden kingdom of the Himalaya. The Swiss explorer Toni Hagen was the first European allowed in and walked all over the country, setting a precedent for the 200,000 trekkers who now visit every year.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Ultimate Cheap Family Holiday Travel Guide
- Cheap Holiday Travel Insurance: Save your Money and Enjoy
- How To Make Sure You Find The Best Holiday Travel Deals
- Cheap Holiday Travel Insurance: Spend your Vacation Peacefully
- Holiday Travel Insurance - Why You Need It
- Holiday Travelers-summer Vacation Destinations
- Holiday Travel Insurance - Why You Need It!
- Annual Cheap Holiday Travel Insurance Uk: Low Premium Safety




Tips on Buying a Designer Handbag
By: Stacey Zimmerman | 12/11/2009Choosing a bag is a lot like love. You need to use both your head and heart. You have to consider many factors first before parting with any hard-earned money. You should know and be sure that you are trading it with something that is worth the hard work you spent just to earn that money.
The History of the Shamwari Game Reserve
By: Mark Bottell | 12/11/2009Located in the South Eastern Cape Area and home to all of the 'Big Five' game animals, the Shamwari Game Reserve is one of the most significant wildlife centres in South Africa. Yet it wasn't always so - less than thirty years ago, the native wildlife was almost entirely eradicated....
Do Something Different - Unusual Wildlife Conservation Holidays
By: Mark Bottell | 12/11/2009For many people, a gap year or a career break is the ideal opportunity to something different that makes a difference. Wildlife conservation holidays are an increasingly popular option, allowing someone to experience an entirely new country and way of life whilst simultaneously helping to protect some of the world's...
Golf Courses in Mallorca
By: Michael J Lee | 11/11/2009Mallorca has altered a lot in the current years to turn into one of the most excellent novel golfing hotspots of Europe. Mallorca golf vacations are in reality mounting in reputation and all the credit for this goes to the recently designed quality golf courses. The superior Mediterranean foodstuff, the fine...
Golf Courses in Madrid
By: Michael J Lee | 11/11/2009Madrid has many famous and well maintained golf courses. The golf courses in Madrid are Olivar de la Hinojosa Golf Courses, Campo Villa de Madrid Golf Course, Las Lomas Bosque Golf Course, Real Sociedad Golf Course, Cabanillas Golf Course, Los Retamares Golf Course, La Herreria Golf Course, La Dehesa Golf...
Avoid Traffic, Rent a New York Limousine
By: NY Limo | 11/11/2009New York is the most populous and busiest town in the country. Going in and out of it is not an easy task. The question arises. How one can go about this city? New York Limo is an option. Read more to know why.
INNOVATIVE SERVICES NOW PROVIDED IN NATIONAL RENTAL CAR
By: Christie Hill | 11/11/2009With the fast moving life, it has become very essential to change according to the needs and requirements of the present day. At first, there were rental car companies that provided cars on rent for one day, two days, weeks or even months. A next level in this is the National rental car.
LONG DURATION MONTHLY CAR RENTAL
By: David Patullo | 11/11/2009Monthly car rental means long term car rentals which further leads to high savings. You will be able to get the cars on rent for long term in your budget value whether it is for about 30 days or up to 11 months. The rule is simple, “the longer you rent, the more you will save.”
Geting Ahead In Your Career With An Online Education
By: Tango Pang | 30/10/2007 | EducationThe path to get ahead, as many studies and surveys have brought out, is taking some online courses or getting an online degree. This opportunity that has rapidly evolved in the recent years allows many of us who do not have access to university or college campus due to various...
Discover The 7 "Must Know" Keys To Homeschooling Success
By: Tango Pang | 28/10/2007 | HomeschoolingThe decision to home school your child can be a very difficult decision to make. With the high rate of two-income families today, many parents wonder if they can make the financial and time sacrifice, even it is the right thing to do. Many more wonder if their children can...
The Making Of A Home School Group
By: Tango Pang | 20/10/2007 | EducationDeciding to home school your children is a big decision to make. Now that you have decided it is the right thing for your family, you certainly have to make sure that your children are getting the best out of the entire learning experience. Having a home school group is...
Personality Of Kathmandu - Charming And Beautiful
By: Tango Pang | 07/06/2007 | TravelIt is hard to find words that do justice to wonderful Kathmandu. One ridge away from the highest mountains in the world, and thronged by a million Hindus and Buddhists, this pricely city is the archetypal mountain kingdom - mystical, magical and arcane. Temples loom out of the...
How Can Truck Bed Covers Help Save Gas And Transform Your Truck
By: Tango Pang | 05/06/2007 | AutomotiveTruck bed covers are attachments to the pickup truck bed and serve as protection against all weathers and of course from theft. Such protection allows you to store items in the bed away from the damage of weather and from the prying eyes of thieves. Unlike truck attachments such as...
The Best Lawn Care Help Is Here For You
By: Tango Pang | 16/04/2007 | GardeningWhen you purchase a home, or when you have a lawn that you are responsible to take care of, there are many things that you should always remember. In the area of lawn care help, there are many online places and books that you can find lots of help for...
Insomnia - What Is The Problem With Yor Sleep?
By: Tango Pang | 16/04/2007 | Self HelpInsomnia is a sleeping disorder which prevents one from sleeping for extended periods of time or it can even prevent a person from being able to fall asleep altogether. Insomnia can be caused by diet, stress, drugs or alcohol and even certain feelings such as fear or dread. Sometimes, people...
Herbs - Understand The Different Kinds Of Herbs
By: Tango Pang | 15/04/2007 | MedicineHerbs: Understanding the Different Kinds of Herbs and What These Herbs are Good for Herbs can be considered one of the most important products in the world today, and for many different reasons. Herbs can be used for many different purposes, and for most of the part, they are plants that...