Photos: Bhaktapur, Nepal’s Ancient Capital City
Bhaktapur is a charmingly well-preserved medieval town that lies only an hour away from Kathmandu. While many people visit as a day trip from the big city, I highly recommend that you stay and relax for a couple of days. You’ll be treated to endless views of ornately-carved temples, narrow twisting cobblestone streets, blissfully quiet days and a real, tangible sense of history.
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We loved Bhaktapur as well. We were lucky enough to stay there with a family for about 5 days too. I also agree that many people shouldn’t be ready to rush so quickly out of Kathmandu or visit Bhaktapur as a day trip. I really enjoyed my time in Kathmandu. Yes it is busy, but in all honesty it was such a breath of fresh air and I felt really relaxed after coming from India!
Ooh, nice to stay with a family — very cool! And yes, though KTM is quite hectic, compared to India it was quiet and peaceful. A very nice change.
I felt very happy that you visited Bhaktapur. I am Sunil from Bhaktapur. and I would like to hear from you more about you and share you the things Of Kathmandu and other things you are willing to know about my place.
Wow! Nepal is one of my dream destinations… these pictures are gorgeous :)
It’s a beautiful place :)
You are heartly Welcome in Bhaktapur. Its so nice place. I’m sure you will enjoy here more than others.
I was surprised by all the reds in your photos. Is that what the town looks like in person and was that a bit overwhelming?
Not at all. The red brick is fairly subtle and muted. And there are plenty open squares with lots of light. Hardly noticed it, to be honest.
That’s good! =) I should have said so in the first place, but I think they’re awesome photos!
Thanks :)
Love these Wes. I love the warmth that comes from them
Great photos – the light in some of these is stunning! I visited Bhaktapur on a day trip from Kathmandu – I spent ten days in Thamel waiting for my Indian visa and celebrating Diwali and in hindsight maybe I should have stayed out of town for a few days – Diwali in Kathmandu was fun but LOUD!!
Anywhere you visit in Nepal is amazing though – the people are some of the kindest I’ve met, and it is so much more relaxed than say China or India. Your recent Nepal posts are making me miss it…can’t wait to get back there!
I’m a huge fan of doors and locks, I love that you included these details.
Great photos, Wes!
I was there a few years ago and really loved it. When I was there it was 2 days after a big riot: Maoists vs police, just a month before the King was deposed. A building had been burned in the riot, and there were lots of rocks and bricks and post-riot debris scattered around the square. Around noon, people from all over the town quietly and calmly came to the square with brooms and started sweeping up the mess.
Very cool photos. Definitely looks like my kind of town. If I move back to Asia, I will have to take a trip to Nepal.
Thanks for visiting my home town city. I’d like to share some of my snaps around the locality http://bipin.me/bhaktapur-durbar-square-winter/
Great work!