What to do and where to go when traveling to Nepal? This article will provide useful information about the top tourist attractions that you cannot miss! Now, let’s check out 17 must-see spots and best places to visit in Nepal below!
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Belonging to the Himalayas, Nepal is one of the Asian countries with the most unique culture and nature in the world. With hundreds of towering mountains, including the roof of the world, Mount Everest, this country attracts tourists with its wild and majestic beauty.
In addition to the beautiful natural landscapes, Nepal is also a destination for those seeking peace. This country has many temples, shrines, and palaces with deep cultural and historical imprints for you to explore.
With the blend of wild nature, profound culture and adventurous experiences, Nepal is gradually becoming an unmissable destination on the world tourist map. Join Klook to check out the famous tourist destinations and top places to visit in Nepal!
Sagarmatha National Park (#best places to visit in Nepal)
Sagarmatha National Park is the most attractive tourist destination in the world with its reputation for its majestic natural beauty and diverse ecological values. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1979, this National Park covers a large part of the Himalayas, including many peaks such as Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam and the roof of the world – Mount Everest with an altitude exceeding 8,848 meters.
With an area of over 1,148 square kilometers, Sagarmatha National Park is home to many rare species of flora and fauna, including those that can only live in highland areas. In addition, the low shrublands and wild vegetation of this place are also an ideal habitat for wild flora and fauna and many rare bird species.
Kala Patthar Peak
With an altitude of about 5,555 meters, Kala Patthar Peak is the best viewing point to admire the eternal beauty of Mount Everest and the Himalayas. This peak is located next to Everest Base Camp and the journey to climb Kala Patthar Peak is a popular activity chosen by many tourists. Although this destination is not to conquer the highest peak in the world, Kala Patthar is loved by many tourists because of its impressive beauty.
At Kala Patthar Peak, you can admire the panoramic view of Mount Everest with other high peaks such as Lhotse, Nuptse and Changtse. Especially at dawn or dusk, the sunlight covers Mount Everest, creating a wonderful natural picture, captivating people’s hearts.
Gokyo Lake
Gokyo Lake is known as the most beautiful and attractive area in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal. Located at an altitude of about 4,700 meters, Gokyo Lakes are formed from mountain water melting from the Himalayan mountain ranges. About 5-6 days’ walk from Everest Base Camp, this is a system of large and small freshwater lakes. Of which, the main lake is Gokyo and other small lakes such as Thonak Cho Lake, Ngozumpa Tsho Lake and Longpongo Lake.
Gokyo Lake attract tourists from all over the world to visit and experience the majestic beauty of the Himalayan mountain range. One of the most popular activities here is trekking from Namche Bazaar town or from Lukla through the Gokyo valley, through Sherpa villages and Ngozumpa ice fields to reach Gokyo Lakes. The landscape around Gokyo Lake is extremely special, with towering mountains and clear lakes reflecting the mountains.
Namobuddha Temple
Namobuddha is one of the important Buddhist temples located in the Nagarkot region. As one of the three sacred sites of Buddhist culture in Nepal along with Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, Namo Buddha attracts you with its majestic natural landscape and peaceful space.
The main temple in Namobuddha is built in traditional Nepalese architecture with towers and stone platforms. When coming here, you can visit the temple platform and large Buddha statues as well as participate in activities such as meditation, incense offering and visiting historical and cultural relics. In addition, from Namo Buddha, you can also admire the panoramic view of Nagarkot and the capital Kathmandu from above.
Pokhara
Pokhara city is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Nepal. Located at an altitude of more than 800 meters above sea level, Pokhara has a cool and pleasant climate all year round. Besides, this place is also famous for the beautiful Phewa Lake surrounded by the Annapurna mountain range.
Pokhara is an ideal place to relax and engage in activities such as trekking, boating, paragliding and even yoga or meditation. With its peaceful atmosphere and majestic nature, this city is an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and find inner peace.
Not only that, Pokhara is also a place for you to explore local culture through festivals and religious ceremonies, as well as enjoy the diverse and rich local cuisine.
Muktinath
A famous temple in Nepal, Muktinath is located at an altitude of about 3,800 meters on the Annapurna mountain range. Known as a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists, Muktinath attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
Muktinath is located in a prime location on the Annapurna Circuit trekking route because it is an important stop on the journey to Thorong La Pass – one of the highest mountain passes in the world. Not only that, Muktinath temple is also the place where many important festivals and religious ceremonies take place, attracting a large number of devotees from all over. These festivals promise to bring you profound cultural and religious experiences of Nepal.
Helambu
Helambu is a rural area located north of Kathmandu, near the Langtang mountain range. Located at an altitude of about 1,500 to 3,500 meters above sea level, Helambu has a cool and pleasant climate. This area includes lush green valleys and is home to Tamang and Sherpa ethnic communities.
Famous for its small villages with traditional houses built of earth and wood, Helambu is a place for you to explore the simple rural life of the locals and chat with them to understand more about their culture and customs. This is also an ideal destination for light trekking and ecotourism. Trekking routes from Kathmandu or from the Langtang mountain range all lead to Helambu, you can explore and enjoy this journey on foot.
Mount Mera
With an altitude of more than 6,100 meters located south of Mount Everest, Mount Mera is part of Makalu-Barun National Park. The region has high mountain ranges with bare rock and snow peaks, creating one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas.
Mount Mera attracts professional mountaineers and climbers from all over the world. To climb Mera Peak, people usually use the southern trekking route, starting from Lukla via Namche Bazaar and continuing through the town of Khare before reaching the base camp of the mountain. The climbing team will camp at the trekking camps and return to Lukla via the Khumbu River. Mount Mera is considered an easy mountain to climb in the Himalayas, but it is still a significant challenge for climbers.
Ghorepani Poon Hill
Ghorepani Poon Hill (Poon Hill) is a famous stop on the Annapurna trekking route of Nepal. At an altitude of about 3,210 meters, Poon Hill is an ideal place to watch the sunrise or sunset over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. The trek up Poon Hill is considered easier than other treks in the Annapurna region but still offers you exciting experiences.
In addition, going to Poon Hill is also an opportunity for you to interact with indigenous peoples such as Gurung and Magar. There is nothing better than experiencing local culture through special dishes and music. The villages around Poon Hill will definitely give you a deeper insight into the life and culture of the Nepalese people in the mountains.
Aarati Pooja Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is the holiest Hindu temple recognized by UNESCO. Located on the banks of the Bagmati River, about 5km east of Kathmandu, this temple is a famous pilgrimage site that attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year.
Pashupatinath is located in a large area of many temples and pagodas. Visitors come to Pashupatinath not only to admire the beautiful architecture but also to learn about religious culture and participate in religious rituals, view the Bagmati River and learn more about local history and traditions.
Langtang Valley
Langtang Valley is located north of Kathmandu and is one of the most beautiful and attractive lands for trekking in Nepal. With the majestic landscape of the Himalayas and the biodiversity of Langtang National Park, this valley attracts tourists who want to explore the wild nature and unique culture of Nepal.
Langtang offers you a variety of trekking options, from short trips to admire the landscape to longer journeys to the base camps. One of the most popular journeys is from Syabrubesi town through Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa, where visitors can enjoy the view of the mountains and the snow-capped lake.
Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna Base Camp is also known as Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). It is the most famous and popular trekking destination in Nepal. ABC is located deep in the Himalayas and is an important stop on the Annapurna Circuit trekking journey. To reach ABC, you can start from Pokhara town, then go through small villages such as Chhomrong, Bamboo and Deurali before camping at ABC. The trek to ABC requires good physical preparation due to the high altitude and difficult mountain conditions.
However, after the strenuous trekking, you will be able to see Annapurna I, II, III and IV, along with neighboring peaks such as Machapuchare (Fishtail) and Dhaulagiri. The view from ABC during the day and especially at sunset is beautiful with the warm golden sunlight covering the vast space.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Durbar Square is located in the heart of Kathmandu, close to the royal palace and the main streets of the city. It has been the center of cultural, religious and commercial activities since ancient times, clearly reflecting the development of Nepal over the centuries. You can visit temples, palaces and ancient buildings such as Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar, Hanuman Dhoka, …
The architecture of these buildings is in the traditional Nepalese style with sculptures, intricately carved ceilings and typical religious symbols. In particular, Durbar Square is still a bustling commercial area with many shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs. You can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the old town and shop for traditional Nepalese handicrafts as souvenirs.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is located in Lalitpur city, near Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, so it has formed one of the most important historical and cultural areas of Kathmandu Valley. This place has been the center of cultural and religious activities since ancient times. This area is famous for ancient architectural works such as Patan Museum, Krishna Mandir, and Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, …
When coming here, you will admire the works that are exquisitely crafted with sculptures, delicate decorations and meticulous handcrafted details. Similar to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar also has shops selling typical Nepalese handicrafts such as stone paintings and ceramics. Here, you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the old town while exploring and learning more about the traditional products of this country.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Built on top of a high hill with a panoramic view of the city and valley, Swayambhunath Stupa offers you not only spiritual experiences but also the opportunity to admire the unique architectural beauty and beautiful nature of Nepal.
Swayambhunath is a traditional Buddhist architectural work. This is one of the oldest and most ancient stupas in Nepal, built in the 5th century and has undergone many renovations and restorations. Swayambhunath is a place of worship for both Buddhism and Hinduism, with many temples and statues. You can pray, walk around the stupa to seek blessings for yourself and your family.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is a place to show the respect of the people for Buddhism in Nepal. This is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. You can come here to pray, learn about the history and philosophy of Buddhism.
Not only is it a symbol of Buddhist religion and architecture in Nepal, Boudhanath Stupa is also a worthy destination for those who love to explore and learn about the culture of this country. As one of the UNESCO heritage sites, Boudhanath is a famous tourist destination that cannot be missed when traveling to Kathmandu.
National Museum of Nepal, Chhauni
Established in 1928, the National Museum of Nepal contains many historical, artistic and cultural documents of Nepal. Visiting the museum is a great opportunity for you to gain more insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of this country.
The National Museum of Nepal owns a diverse collection of historical, artistic and cultural artifacts. What is special is that the museum preserves many precious works of art from ancient to modern times of Nepal, including sculptures, paintings, statues, and household items.
Nepal, the land where you can reach Everest, is an attractive destination with beautiful natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and profound spiritual experiences. The majestic Himalayan mountains, lush green valleys, and spiritual religious sanctuaries in Nepal will definitely bring you “unique” experiences.
Exploring Nepal is not only about enjoying the beauty of nature but also a journey to find harmony between humans and nature.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Kathmandu you can refer to
- Kathmandu Heritage Tour
- Plane Ticket (One Way) for Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Plane Ticket (One Way) for Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Kathmandu Bazaar Walking Tour
- Kathmandu Morning Rickshaw Tour
- Kathmandu Evening Rickshaw Tour
- Patan and Bhaktapur Tour
- 12D11N Annapurna Circuit Trek
- 10D9N Mardi Himal Trek from Kathmandu
- 7D6N Langtang Valley Trek from Kathmandu
- 12D11N Everest Base Camp Trek
- 15D14N Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest Mountain Flight
- Nagarkot Day Hike
- 5D4N Nepal Private Tour
- Nagarkot Sunrise Tour
- Kathmandu Full Day Exploration
- 11D10N Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Flight to Lukla
- 3D2N Chitwan National Park Tour from Kathmandu
Read more Nepal guide here.