Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is considered the largest city in the country with a population of 600,000. The city’s infrastructure is far more developed than it was several hundred years ago, when it competed with Bhaktapur and Patan for recognition as a royal city.

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While the city of Kathmandu is now considered to be modernized there are still some very significant problems mirroring those found in third world countries. As the city becomes more populated the people are finding it more and more difficult to keep up with air pollution, water pollution, and even basic hygiene.

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Despite its problems, Kathmandu is still a beautiful city. Once the base point for those wishing to prepare for trips up Mount Everest, tourists are beginning to see that the city has much more to offer.

When to Visit Kathmandu

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The weather in Kathmandu varies greatly with every passing season. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters and the winter months are often incredibly cold. The only visitors who flock towards Kathmandu during the winter months are those who enjoy skiing and other winter sports.

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The summer months, while rainy and humid are better for visitors who want to explore the historic attractions within the city. The temperatures are relatively cool and the rainfall contributes towards the beautiful green countryside surrounding the city. Make sure you pack your rain gear before heading out to Kathmandu.

Safety Considerations in Kathmandu

A few years ago the United States government issued a safety warning to citizens who wanted to travel anywhere in Nepal because of the nation’s continuing political unrest. The city of Kathmandu, however, has always had a Tourist Police force in order to ensure that those visiting the city would be safe. The force is made up of 41 officers who spend their time patrolling tourist attractions, hotels, and airports.

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Make sure you approach a Tourist Police with any problems you encounter while in Kathmandu. The police suggest you keep your personal paperwork on hand at all times and make sure your embassy knows you are in Nepal. They also suggest you avoid creating your own tour plans and instead stick to local tour groups.

Transportation throughout Kathmandu

It won’t be difficult to find transportation once you’ve arrived in Kathmandu and you may find that renting a car is really unnecessary. The city has plenty of well-cared for public transportation systems including a public bus system, taxi cabs, and plenty of bicycle rental businesses.

Those who choose to travel by taxi should look for vehicles with black license plates and signs as they are officially licensed taxi cabs. You should not end up having to pay more than 20 to 200 Rs (or $.25 to $2.50 USD) for any ride within the city.

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The city itself operates a public bus system as well as a minivan system. While there are privately owned systems, the city-owned ones tend to be safer. All you have to do is go to Ratnapark, the central station, and from there you can get anywhere else in the city.

Things to Do in Kathmandu

Start your trip to Kathmandu with a trip to the Royal Palace of Narayanhiti. The palace is the notorious scene of the June 2001 massacre during which the Crown Prince of Nepal shot the entire royal family to death and then shot himself. The palace is a great place for tourists to learn about the architecture of the city as well as the history of the royal families. Plan to visit the palace between Thursday and Monday as it is closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays.

The Boudhanath is another popular attraction in Kathmandu. The stupa is said to be the place where the bones of Buddha are buried. Traditionally, those who wish to pay their respects to Buddha and the other great sages will walk around the building in a clockwise manner and those who make the walk 7 times will have their wishes granted. It’s not uncommon to find tourists walking counter-clockwise and while it is considered disrespectful many locals will ignore foreigners doing so because they understand that they are often uneducated regarding the tradition.

Artists visiting Kathmandu should visit the Tesring Art School in the Schechen Monastery. Inside the school students learn about Thanka paintings – the sacred paintings used by Buddhists to portray their messages. Thanka painting methods are very detailed and students can spend up to six years learning how to master their arts. Visitors to the school must be respectful as they tour through the halls where dedicated students are learning their crafts.

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Kathmandu is a city vibrant with history and culture. Take your time, follow all safety regulations, and – most important – enjoy your trip!