Introduction
The Kathmandu Valley is virtually an open air museum of magnificent Hindu and Buddhist art and architecture. What makes this vibrant, if congested, old Asian city so fascinating is that it is a museum in full use today. No matter that a temple structure was built centuries ago for a religious community, it may be part of a active elementary school now, with soccer play, where monks or priests once danced and chanted. There are fifteenth century shrines and temples literally to the left and right as one walks, among crowds, in the busy markets. Hindu men, women, and children are often seen making their morning pujas (prayer offerings of food and flowers) in front of magnificent small and large stone deity images, some are ancient. Buddhists, with prayer wheels circling in their hands, are also observed making their daily Kora (walking meditations) around gleaming white stupas found in many parts of this religious city. Narrow, brick-paved curving alleys remind us of the vestiges of Medieval times among twentieth-century buildings. Hindu culture focuses upon the celebration of many festivals; each featuring dances, costumes, lights and decorations, often with bright marigolds strung in chains. Many celebratory activities are street parades, very accessible to visitors. There are colorful festivals to enjoy most months of the year.

Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, now essentially in big city, were once individual kingdoms rivaling for power until 1768 when they were united. The unparalleled cultural heritage of the valley is a combination of the three. Today, Kathmandu is particularly known for its traditional buildings and temples featuring fine Newari woodwork around doors and windows. Patan is exceptional for exquisite metalwork in silver, gold, and bronze. And Bhaktapur, developed centuries ago and re-built after the 1934 earthquake, is the least changed of the three with its medieval character still intact. Because Kathmandu displays such as a rich array of monuments, UNESCO has awarded our city with the prestigious designation of a World Heritage Site. A good deal of restoration in still in progress.

According to legend, the modern Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is said that a God came, possibly from China, and slashed a deep cut at Chobar (now called Chobar Gorge) with his huge sword, allowing the water to drain out and human settlement to begin. Others say that the gorge was made by Lord Krishna. One way or another a lovely valley came to be. The Newars who settled there utilized the higher places for their homes and low lands for crops to protect themselves from flooding.

The Kathmandu Valley of today is in part, modern, but an aura of the exotic past still prevails; that is what makes it so interesting.

With its palaces and temples, some dating back to the twelfth century, it is easy to forget that this is the twenty-first. A climb to the top of Hanuman Dhoka (A Palace tower) provides an astonishing 360 degree view of all of Kathmandu. If you time it right, you can see the Kumari, Kathmandu's young living Goddess, as she presents herself at the window of the Kumari Ghar.

Pashupatinath Temple Complex This most important and largest group of Hindu Temple buildings and monuments in Nepal stands on the bank of Bagmati River. On its Ghats (flat cremation sites) human remains are constantly being turned into ashes. The ashes are swept directly into the river to flow south and eventually join the sacred Ganges. One shrine is dated A.D. 477; some believe that others in the Complex may even be one thousand years older.

Swayambhunath ( The Monkey Temple) This magnificent shrine in the top of a high hill across the Vishnumati river is one of the most sacred and oldest Buddhist holy places in the Kathmandu Valley. Climbing its' three-hundred-sixty-five steps to the main entrance is a never to be forgotten experience! On the stupa (white dome), just below its' golden spire, are painted four sets of Buddha eyes, facing north, south, east, and west. These haunting eyes are said to be "Looking for good on the earth." An early morning experience here among the faithful is a vital part of everyone's visit to Kathmandu.

From the plane, this marvelous highly visible religious site is a beacon for the return traveler; landing is momentary. Boudhanath is the largest stupa in the world. It serves as a religious center for the Tibetans in Nepal. Here one can observe the faithful bowing and praying as they circle round and round the vast monument reciting the age old mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum."

National Museum & Art gallery Situated near the Swayambhunath stupa in an old Rana (previous royal family name) arsenal, the museum exhibits a large collection of medieval treasures including: Ornaments, metal sculpture, and Thangkas (painted scrolls).