A Day in Old Kathmandu: A Walking Tour Through History and Culture
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is a vibrant blend of history, culture, and bustling city life. The city's rich heritage is best explored on foot, allowing you to immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere. The Old Kathmandu Walking Day Tour offers an opportunity to delve into the heart of this ancient city, exploring its age-old culture, local markets, Buddhist shrines, and Hindu temples with a history spanning over a thousand years. This article will guide you through what to expect from this enriching experience.
The Old Kathmandu Walking Day Tour
The Old Kathmandu Walking Day Tour is an immersive experience that takes you through the less touristy sections of the city, where the daily life of locals unfolds amidst ancient cultural sites. The tour also includes a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you can learn about the history of ancient Nepal and have a chance to see the living goddess Kumari.
The tour begins in Thamel, the popular tourist district of Kathmandu. If your hotel is located in Thamel, your exploration of Old Kathmandu literally starts from your hotel lobby. If you're staying in other parts of the city, it's just a short 20-minute taxi ride to reach the starting point.
Exploring Asan: The Oldest Living Market of Kathmandu
The first stop on the tour is Asan, the oldest living market in Kathmandu. Here, locals buy and sell daily goods, ranging from vegetables to clothing, and from metal items to spiritual artifacts. As the saying goes, at Asan Bazaar, you can find everything from salt to gold! This bustling market offers a glimpse into the daily life of Kathmandu's residents.
Seto Machhindra Nath Temple: A Shrine of Compassion
Next, the tour takes you to the Seto Machhindra Nath Temple, a shrine dedicated to the native deity of Kathmandu and Avalokitesvara, the god of compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. The shrine features 108 engraved icons of Avalokitesvara, representing all his major forms. Local devotees visit the shrine to receive blessings, making it a spiritual hub in the heart of the city.
The Old Kathmandu Walking Day Tour is a perfect way to understand the history, culture, and life of locals in Kathmandu. It's an easy, short, and reasonably priced tour that can be enjoyed by most travelers. So, lace up your walking shoes and set off on a journey through time in the streets of Old Kathmandu, where every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered.
