Bagmati

Kathmandu is Nepal's capital and largest city, set in the Kathmandu Valley within Bagmati Province. The city combines centuries-old Newar heritage with a busy modern centre, making it the country's main gateway for travellers, trekkers and business visitors.

The valley's history reaches back more than two thousand years, and Kathmandu grew from a medieval trade and royal centre into Nepal's political and cultural capital. Its UNESCO-listed landmarks include Kathmandu Durbar Square, the hilltop Swayambhunath stupa, the great Boudhanath stupa and the riverside Pashupatinath Temple, while nearby Patan and Bhaktapur preserve their own historic palace squares and crafts.

Neighbourhoods give the city a varied character. Thamel is the lively tourist district with guesthouses, cafés and trekking shops, while Durbar Marg and Lazimpat hold hotels, restaurants and embassies. Patan, across the Bagmati River, is known for metalwork, courtyards and museums, and Boudha draws pilgrims to its Tibetan Buddhist community.

Kathmandu is also the centre of Nepal's government, trade, NGOs and events, and the main departure point for Himalayan travel and trekking. Its food scene ranges from dal bhat and momo to Newari specialities such as chhoyla and bara, served in local eateries and rooftop cafés.

For leisure and business travellers alike, Kathmandu offers a compact, walkable core with heritage sites, a strong hospitality base and easy connections to the wider valley and the mountains beyond.